On the way to visit my parents a couple of weeks ago my Mum, Papa, Brother and I decided to meet in Aviemore and make the short trip to Highland Wildlife Park.
#
The Highland Wildlife Park is unusual as you are able to drive around the main reserve before parking up to visit the walk round areas. The main reserve boasts camels, deer, bison, elk, yak and plenty more hoofed animals whose name’s I can’t even pronounce. In the walk around area you can see amur tigers, wildcats, otters, wolverines, japanese macaques, artic fox’s and my favourite red pandas.
The sister site of Edinburgh Zoo the park is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and I’m pretty sure the polar bears that once lived in Edinburgh now reside in the old wolf enclosure at the Wildlife Park. I had been a little worried about them so was glad to see them enjoying a much bigger area in a colder environment.
A little bit cheaper than the Zoo tickets are £14 for adults and £10 for children although Papa managed to wangle us a family ticket which was £44.
The highlights of our trip were seeing the young Scottish wildcat kittens and spotting a red squirrel which was free to come and go as it pleased. I would definitely recommend visiting if you’re in the area but beware, the road is one way in the main reserve and confusingly you follow it round to the right!