Looking for something to do with the family this Easter? Susan Welsh makes a few suggestions…
Blooming marvellous…
The gardening team at Brodie Castle near Forres are thrilled with this year’s display of daffodils which they describe as “outstanding”.
And to give visitors an even better view of these cheery springtime flowers, they can now be viewed from greater heights.
Head gardener Ed Walling said: “This year not only have we worked hard to get our outstanding display from the collection, we have our new ‘hill of daffodils’.
“The hill forms part of the Playful Garden, home to Brodie Bunny, which is the largest rabbit sculpture in Scotland, and is an excellent vantage point from which to view the stunning collection of all shades of our very special yellow and white cultiva.”
More than 120 different types of daffodil which are of national significance can be found in the large, walled garden which now forms part of the Playful Garden which is a short walk east of the castle.
Alongside are flower beds containing the Brodie-bred cultivars, managed by the National Trust for Scotland in conjunction with the voluntary organisation Plant Heritage.
There’s a host of exciting events planned for the castle this year including a daffodil festival and Cadbury Easter egg hunt running from tomorrow until Monday.
On these dates, the garden team will host guided walks and talks around the grounds. Tickets for these are priced at £5, as are tickets for the egg hunt.
Spencer’s Funfair, Lady and Her Tramps and Carrbridge Carriage Driving will be there over the weekend too.
- Contact: www.nts.org.uk/visit/Brodie
Easter magic
The National Trust for Scotland has once again joined forces with Cadbury to run a series of its popular Easter egg hunts at lots of its properties from tomorrow until Monday.
A great way to bring the whole family together, it lets visitors spot the first signs of spring, discover beautiful places in the Trust’s care, all while following clues and being rewarded with a chocolate prize.
Venues in Aberdeenshire taking part include Castle Fraser, Garden and Estate, Inverurie, all days from 10am-4pm; Craigievar Castle, Alford, all days from 10.30am-4pm; Crathes Castle, Garden and Estate, all days from 10am-4pm; Drum Castle, Garden and Estate, Banchory, all days from 10.30am-4pm; Fyvie Castle, Garden and Estate, all days from 11am-4pm; Haddo House, all days from 10am-4pm; Leith Hall, Garden and Estate, all days from 11am-4pm; Mar Lodge Estate, from 10am-4pm on Sunday only; Pitmedden Garden, all days from 11am-4pm.
In Argyll and Bute, the following venues are taking part every day between 10am-4pm: Arduaine Garden, Oban; Cararae Garden, Inveraray; Geilston Garden, Cardross; Glencoe Visitor Centre, Glencoe.
In the Highlands, there’s fun to be had at Balmacara Estate, Kyle of Lochalsh, tomorrow from 1-4pm; Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage and Museum, Cromarty from Saturday-Monday, 1-5pm; Inverewe, Poolewe, Ross-shire, all days from 9.30am-3pm; while Brodie Castle, Forres takes part all days from 10am-4pm.
- www.nts.org.uk/easter
All aboard!
Keith and Dufftown Railway are running an Easter Bunny weekend from tomorrow until Monday.
Join the train and meet the Easter bunny and find and count the hidden eggs and objects to win a prize.
For full train times and prices, visit www.keith-dufftown-railway.co.uk
Teddy McBear’s Picnic
Spend Easter Sunday in the company of lots of teddy bears, all flocking to Braemar Castle.
Children who bring along a teddy get free entry to the castle in Braemar, an Easter egg and a copy of the story of the castle’s own Teddy McBear, who will be around between 2-4pm.
Sunday, from 10am-5pm.
- www.braemarcastle.co.uk/teddy-mcbears-picnic
Inverness city centre egg hunt
The popular free Easter egg hunt is back. Pick up an entry form from either the Eastgate Centre at Falcon Square entrance, or outside the Steeple on Church Street, then follow the map and try to find the golden eggs hidden in the shop windows.
Find the eggs to reveal the Easter Bunny’s name, when the form is completed, return it to the entry point and receive an Easter treat.
The hunt takes place tomorrow and Saturday, from 11am-4pm.
Swing by the Easter Garden in the city’s Victorian market and have your face painted and meet lots of cuddly bunnies and bears.
Getting crafty…
Hobbycraft, which has stores in Aberdeen and Inverness, is running a series of in-store workshops designed to keep little ones entertained from as little as £1.
They’ll get the chance to learn new crafting skills and create great makes to take home.
These include a chocolate egg decorating workshop on Saturday. (www.eventbrite.co.uk), and a kids’ craft club slime fillable eggs free workshop at selected stores on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Booking at www.eventbrite.co.uk
All workshops are available to children over four years of age, who must be accompanied by an adult.
- www.hobbycraft.co.uk
Oceans of fun
Visitors are set to have a whale of a time this Easter at Dynamic Earth, with a whole host of marine-themed experiences as part of Edinburgh Science Festival.
Running until Sunday, when you buy a regular ticket to the venue you’ll also get access to a sea of special activities, all aimed at raising awareness of the importance of our oceans.
Seasonal events include Atlantic Adventures (Saturday and Sunday), where youngsters can play with real and virtual underwater robots and find out how scientists are working to protect a changing ocean; Aliens of the Deep (Saturday and Sunday), offering a chance to discover all the weird and wonderful creatures living within the ocean and how they have adapted to survive; and Revealing Scotland’s Cold Water Coral Reefs (tomorrow), where families can get hands-on with real reef samples.
Don’t forget to bring a clean glass jar to make a crafty coral creation to take away.
On Sunday, they will celebrate Earth Day with a host of fun, drop-in activities focused on how we can do our bit to help protect the planet.
- www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Smooth operator
Known as the Highland Chocolatier, Iain Burnett hand-makes all sorts of spiced pralines and dipped fruits, but it’s the velvet truffles which have brought him worldwide recognition.
The shop at Grandtully, near Aberfeldy, includes the Scottish Chocolate Centre where you will maybe see the chocolatiers in action making eggs for Easter.
- www.highlandchocolatier.com