Highland Wildlife Park
Photos of Highland Wildlife Park
What will students see and do?
Highland Wildlife Park is owned by The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which was founded in March 1909. The society aimed to – and continues to – protect threatened animal species in Scotland and around the world, and connect people to nature so that they can better safeguard wildlife themselves.
Highland Wildlife Park was acquired by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in 1986, and is located in the Cairngorms National Park. These days, it is home to over 200 amazing animals, including both native Scottish species as well as rare and endangered animals from the world’s mountains and tundra regions such as the Amur tiger and polar bear.
In the park, there is a drive-through reserve that is accessible either by your own vehicle or by joining one of the guided Land Rover tours. The first drive-through reserve houses Bactrian camels, yak, white-lipped deer and Mishmi takin, while the next features a herd of European bison, Bukhara deer, red deer, European elk, Przewalski’s horse and vicuna, as well as a growing selection of birdlife.
After that, you can take a stroll through the Woodland Walk to see beautiful satyr tragopans, fearsome Scottish wildcats and majestic Eurasian eagle owls; have a look in Wolf Wood to meet a European wolf pack, a herd of European forest reindeer and wild red squirrels; and continue on to see much more.
Education has been at the heart of The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) for over four decades, where it has engaged with over one million learners across both Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park.
From nursery to tertiary and beyond, encompassing both formal and informal learning, the team creates and deliver unique experiences for learners and daily visitors, encouraging excitement and exploration through interactive learning programmes and interpretation.
How does the trip link to the curriculum?
There are several workshops and experiences to enjoy, including educational sessions on tigers for EYFS.
Primary pupils can opt for sessions on:
– polar explorers
– endangered animals
– native species
– the cycle of life
Secondary pupils can try sessions on:
– animal behaviour
– biodiversity
– evolution and adaptations
– human-animal conflict
– gelada baboons
Your class will have the opportunity to explore unique resources related to the sessions before, during and after their time at the zoo to make connections and secure their understanding of the topics discussed.
Students studying advanced higher biology can also come to conduct a behavioural research study on some of the endangered species.
Subjects covered
Teaching resources provided
Highland Wildlife Park has put together a range of free online activities for families, children of all ages and home educators. These include videos and fact files on the animals; quizzes to test your knowledge; webcam footage and learning resources that explore polar bears’ habitats in the wild.
In addition to this, The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has created ZOOdle, a ‘digital learning environment’ packed full of a wide range of online materials including games, free short courses and teaching resources about conservation.
When you book a virtual tour or workshop, ZOOdle will provide tailor-made, interactive resources that you can use with your class before and after your sessions or visit to maximise your class’s learning and engagement.
The only thing you need to use ZOOdle is a device with an internet connection, whether it’s a computer, laptop, tablet or phone. Some activities might need you to have speakers so you can listen to videos or a printer so you can make your own crafts at home, and there are even a few activities that can be used on a Virtual Reality headset to view scenes in VR, but these aren’t required and there are always alternatives so you won’t miss out on anything.
Minimum and maximum group size
Varies depending on the workshop – get in touch to discuss. Group rates are subject to a minimum payment of £40 per booking.
Details of risk assessment
Information on zoo visit risks and control measures can be found on the website.
Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment
Facilities on-site
On site there is a gift shop and various cafes and kiosks selling drinks, snacks and ice cream.
You’ll also find toilets and picnic areas (including undercover ones) around the site.
Opening times
April-October: 10am-5pm
July-August: 10am-6pm
November-March: 10am-4pm
Pricing
On-site visits are £7 per student. Virtual tours are £40 per class.
Free admission for supervisory adults is provided to the following ratios:
Nursery – one adult per four children
Primary – one adult per seven children
Secondary – one adult per ten children
Special schools – one adult per pupil, if required
Travel arrangements
Highland Wildlife Park is seven miles south of Aviemore. When travelling north on the A9 (Inverness), turn off for Kingussie/Kincraig and follow the B9152 north.
When travelling south on the A9 (Perth), turn off south of Aviemore for Kincraig and follow the B9152 through Kincraig to the park.
Buses should enter via the main entrance and park in the main car park. This is free of charge and the driver is allowed free entry to the park.
Several bus routes stop at the bottom of the park’s entrance road.
Address
The Highland Wildlife Park, Kincraig, Kingussie, Invernessshire
PH21 1NL
Book your school trip to Highland Wildlife Park
For information on booking your school trip to this venue, click below.
Teachers also looked at...
Explore by Region
