Gardens: Seeing her snowdrops lit by her car headlights one evening inspired Catherine Erskine to create an illuminated walk through the gardens of Cambo House in Fife. Now visitors can also enjoy the magic

WHEN you hear of a snowdrop walk in the dark described as “fantastic”, “magical” and “incredible”, even on a cold, wet night with children in tow, it is time to investigate.

What is this winter production tempting people to venture out in the cold, with some returning again and describing it as a “fairy land that makes you want to dance all the way”?

Snowdrops by Starlight, the latest in a series of garden events, is the brainchild of Catherine Erskine. The site is her husband Peter’s family home, Cambo House, in the East Neuk of Fife, where past generations of the Erskine family spent their childhoods splitting and spreading clumps of robust white snowdrop bulbs.

Catherine became fascinated by snowdrops once her youngest child was independent enough to allow her some free time, and she began selling snowdrops “in the green”. Besides building up her own collection of more than 300 different varieties of snowdrop, Catherine later expanded the seasonal interest, developing the garden into one of Scotland’s favourites – visited annually by more than 40,000 people.

Catherine refused to content herself with just enjoying the startling beauty of these sparkling, white-carpeted woods and their coastal backdrop, and developed a bold vision for a dream event. “The idea came from driving down the drive at night and enjoying the snowdrops in the headlights. I thought what a shame it was that no one else saw them,” she says. “I wanted to encourage people into these magnificent woodlands.”

The idea remained just that until Fife Council celebrated Fife 2010 and helped the Erskines obtain funding to launch Snowdrops by Starlight as one of their flagship events. “Fife Council has continued to support us, as has EventScotland,” says Catherine.

The plan was to enhance the woodlands by installing environmental sculptures. These and the natural and existing features, such as the Cambo Burn – where white lights flicker on the water – and the Victorian stone bridge, are illuminated with white and coloured lighting. Music played at certain spots adds another dimension to the experience, and the sound of birdsong will be back this year by popular request. “Finix Productions are responsible for the design,” Catherine says. “We make suggestions and the contributing artists are responsible for selecting where they would like their work to be exhibited.”

The 40-minute walk starts at the old Georgian stables – where the fittings are original – with lantern-making and storytelling. The way is clearly marked. Soft woodland paths, lined by tall, skeletal trees, their branches lit up in pink, blue, white and green, tower above carpets of white, enhanced by floating islands of white lights. As you venture deeper into the woodland, the paths become increasingly mysterious and exciting – but never frightening. Floodlights draw the eye towards sculptures and artefacts, up to towering branches or down to shrubs, bulbs and the burn.

The attention to detail adds a special dimension. Blue and green lights highlight the different textures of rough and smooth bark, while white lights shining through the petals of the green-edged ‘Snowflake’, Leucojum vernum, gives the appearance of thousands of tiny lanterns. Although Catherine wants to keep some of the installations a surprise, she admits that this second event will feature some outstanding features and says that it has surpassed all her expectations.

“The most extraordinary sculpture is a giant rock and enormous horn through which visitors can shout,” she says. “The environmental sculptures add such an interesting dimension to the mature trees and the burn when it is illuminated. It never ceases to amaze me that although I know these woodlands so well, they look quite transformed when lit up.

“The beech trees are particularly wonderful. I love them in the winter anyway, but they are sensational illuminated.”

• Snowdrops by Starlight runs from 11 to 19 February at Cambo House, Cambo Estate, Kingsbarns, St Andrews, Fife (01333 450054, www.snowdropsbystarlight.com).

Visitors are advised to wear sturdy shoes and to wrap up well. Storytelling is by Lizzie MacDougall, accompanied by her daughter Siannie on the clarsach. A Grand Parade of Lanterns is scheduled for next Saturday at 7pm (free). Visitors can collect lanterns or bring a homemade one. After the walk, you can warm up with a hot drink or mulled wine and home-baking in the tearoom.

Snowdrops by Starlight tickets are on sale now. Adult (Mon-Thurs) £9, (Fri-Sun) £12; child (3-16) £5.50; under-three free; family ticket (Mon-Thurs) £23, (Fri-Sun) £30.

Pre-booked parking is available at Kingsbarns golf course, with onward transport by minibus. Alternatively, the service bus number 95 will drop passengers off at the golf course road end, from where they will be collected