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Ross-shire's rhoddies are just blooming marvellous and set for festival spotlight


By Hector MacKenzie

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Rhododendrons can be seen in several parts of Ross-shire as part of the festival.
Rhododendrons can be seen in several parts of Ross-shire as part of the festival.

ROSS-SHIRE is set to play a starring role in the Scottish Rhododendron Festival which begins next week.

Organisers say this year's event is geared up to be a winner from day one as many of the plants are already in full bloom because of the recent warmer temperatures.

The festival, which runs until the end of May, comprises more than 50 events and includes activities and guided walks throughout the Highlands as gardens, estates and woodlands open to showcase their displays.

The event is organised by national garden tourism group Discover Scottish Gardens and supported by VisitScotland.

It aims to encourage local audiences and tourists to enjoy the wonders of Scottish gardens during the rhododendron flowering period and highlight the diversity of collections that can be found in Scotland.

Inverewe Garden has a Four Star grading from the national tourism organisation and has a broad range of spring-flowering rhododendrons. Events will be held at the gardens for the festival on April 24 and May 3.

Attadale Gardens near Strathcarron is hosting rhododendron events on April 4 and 18. Visitors will receive a tour around the Four Star gardens and learn more about the rhododendron plants.

Inverewe Gardens
Inverewe Gardens

Rhododendrons are a large family of around 1000 species, from small mountain shrubs to magnificent tree-like specimens.

David Knott, curator at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, a world centre for rhododendron studies, said: “The warmer temperatures we have been experiencing provide optimum conditions for these exotic shrubs, originally from the east, to thrive.

"The unusual weather and early flowering also highlight the impact of climate change on plants and flowering behaviour - a situation we will continue to monitor at the Botanics.”

Chris Taylor of VisitScotland said: "Festivals like this draw in visitors and represent a major benefit to the area. Tourism is more than a holiday experience it is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy and touches every community, generating income, jobs and social change."

For more information and events listings see https://www.visitscotland.com/blog/scotland/rhododendron-festival/


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