Cambo Gardens

Cambo is the Scottish garden to visit in late winter, when its woods are carpeted with snowdrops. The estate is known for snowdrops well beyond Fife, takes part in Scotland's snowdrop festival, and has even sold rare varieties through a specialist snowdrop list. If you have only seen snowdrops in a garden border, the scale here is a revelation, and it is one of the best places in Scotland to learn the differences between named varieties.

The rest of the year belongs to the walled garden, which is the heart of the gardens. Walled gardens like this were built to shelter fruit, vegetables and flowers from cold coastal winds, and the walls still give a protected, warm space where planting can thrive in a way it could not in the open. Beyond the walls, woodland paths lead you through the wider designed estate, so a visit can be as short or as long as you like.

Gardeners will find ideas here for using bulbs on a large scale under trees, and for planting a sheltered walled space in a cool, windy climate. Snowdrop collectors will want to come in February and look closely at the different forms. Cambo is a member of Historic Houses, an RHS Partner Garden and opens for Scotland's Gardens Scheme, so it is well used to visitors. It is close to St Andrews and the East Neuk, which makes it easy to fit into a day on the Fife coast. Check the official site for current opening, facilities and snowdrop dates.