Days Out: Highland Wildlife Park

A long-time favourite of locals and tourists alike, the Highland Wildlife Park is home to some of the world’s most beautiful (and sadly, endangered) animals. You’ll be able to see native Scottish species such as the Capercaillie and the Scottish Wildcat, as well as more exotic animals such as the Amur Tiger and the Polar Bear. 

Once you have parked your car, take a stroll through the Woodland Walk where you’ll find the fearsome Scottish wildcats and the majestic Eurasian eagle owls.

The first reserve you get to, The Entrance Reserve, is where Bactrian camels and yak roam free. White lipped deer and Mishmi takin can also be seen in this area. There is a raised walkway from the entrance booths, if your prefer, which offer a scenic walk to the main park area.

The Main Reserve is accessible either by your own vehicle or by joining one of the guided Land Rover Tours which run throughout the day. It’s home to herds of European bison, Bukhara and red deer, European elk, Przewalski’s horse, and vicuna. The animals in the main reserve happily share this area with a growing selection of birdlife from lapwings, and oystercatchers, to barnacle geese that have naturally taken up residency in the Park.

Wolf Wood is a walk-around area located between the Entrance and Main drive-through Reserves where you’ll find the park’s European wolf pack and their herd of European forest reindeer. If you keep your eyes peeled you might be lucky enough to see a red squirrel at one of the feeding stations.

In Spring 2021 the Highland Wildlife Park finished building Britain’s first large-scale conservation breeding centre for rare Scottish Wildcats. The project will eventually see up to 20 wildcats a year released into the Cairngorms. The new centre has wildcat experts and a dedicated veterinary unit, while all released wildcats will be fitted with a GPS collar so their movements and behaviour can be recorded. The new ‘breed and release’ centre is a major attempt to protect the dwindling Wildcat numbers in Scotland, as well as providing visitors with an opportunity to see these elusive creatures up-close. 

Head to the Highland Wildlife Park for updates and booking information.

*Banner photo credit: Highland Wildlife Park