Plan Your Visit

Welcome to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Highland Wildlife Park!

Our wildlife conservation charity has a bold vision: a world where nature is protected, valued and loved!

Highland Wildlife Park is a gateway to the natural world where people can experience nature, learn about the challenges facing wildlife and discover how we harness the unique power of the RZSS family – our teams, supporters and partners – to save animals from extinction.

We are open seven days a week (but closed on Christmas Day) and we recommend that everyone apart from Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) members should book tickets online in advance to save money and avoid disappointment.

Over the winter, snow and ice may mean having to keep our drive through areas closed for everyone's safety - please be careful when travelling and exploring the park on foot.

Tickets are limited and may sell out during school holidays and weekends – we recommend that you book your ticket at least two hours before your visit, unless you are an RZSS member or their guest. As usual, RZSS members must accompany guests who can pay for discounted admission on the gate - please see the members section below for more information and sign up for member emails for the latest updates.  

With even more of you planning to see our incredible animals and enjoy our outdoor spaces, it is really important to be aware of what might be different on the day, including limited catering options (feel free to bring a picnic!) – please watch the 'What to expect' video or read the information in the FAQs below.

Please respect the ‘rules of the road’ at the park and our dedicated teams who are there to make sure everyone has a safe and fun day out. 

We really appreciate your support and kindly ask that you read the information below before getting in touch (you can find contact details at the bottom of this page).  

Hopefully you can visit us soon – we look forward to seeing you!  

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Frequently asked questions

  • Top tips
  • Tickets
  • During your visit
  • RZSS members
  • Travel and weather

Your most asked questions, answered!

  • Is everything open as normal?

    Over the winter, snow and ice may mean having to keep our drive through areas closed for everyone's safety - please be careful when travelling and exploring the park on foot.

    Our drive-through reserve tours are still postponed for the time being. 

    Please note:

    Extreme weather conditions at any time of year can mean we have to close parts of the park, including our drive-through reserve or Wolf Wood, for everyone's safety.

    Please do check the weather forecast before travelling.

    If you are visiting to see a particular animal or species, please check our animal FAQs and be aware that our animals can explore different areas during the day and may choose to spend some time in private or simply blend in with their natural camouflage. We recommend going back to different enclosures at different times of the day.

    Sometimes we have to close viewing for an animal at short notice for their wellbeing or check ups by our expert vets and keepers.

  • Does everyone need to book online in advance?

    ONLY RZSS members and their guests do not need to book in advance (please see the RZSS members section for more information on exceptions for members and their guests).

    EVERYONE else must book online to avoid disapointment, including those with prepaid tickets (prepaid ticket holders include reciprocal zoo members, admission vouchers, corporate tickets, Blue Peter badge holders and adopter tickets).

    Tickets are limited and may sell out during school holidays and weekends – please remember to book a ticket online in advance at least two hours before your visit, unless you are an RZSS member or their guest

    Last entry is one hour before closing — though we recommend giving yourself at least two hours to get around the park.

  • Are you still fundraising?

    Yes – you can still help care for our amazing animals and protect wildlife in Scotland and around the world! Find out more at highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/help

  • Can I bring my dog or pet with me to the park?

    If you are a pet owner – please be aware that only assistance dogs are permitted in the park.

    To protect animal welfare, dogs and other pets are not permitted in any areas of Highland Wildlife Park, including our car park.

    Guide dogs and other registered assistance dogs are permitted in most areas of the park. Assistance dogs in training are not permitted to enter.

    There are a number of quality kennel facilities in the local area that we would be happy to recommend.

  • When and how can I book my ticket?

    Apart from RZSS members and their guests, EVERYONE must book online in advance – this includes carers, children under three years old and pre-paid ticket holders.

    Prepaid tickets include postponed tickets, gift admission vouchers and corporate tickets. You can also use this option for Blue Peter badge holders (prepaid child) and if you are a member at one of our reciprocal zoos.

    Tickets are limited and may sell out during school holidays and weekends - they must be booked at least two hours before an available time slot.

    (Please see the RZSS members section for more information on exceptions for members and their guests.)

    Book tickets

  • Can I buy a ticket on the gate?

    ONLY if you are an RZSS member (please see the RZSS members section for more information on exceptions for members and their guests).

    EVERYONE else must book online in advance to avoid disapointment — including those with prepaid tickets (prepaid ticket holders include reciprocal zoo members, admission vouchers, corporate tickets, Blue Peter badge holders and adopter tickets).

    Last entry is one hour before closing — though we recommend giving yourself at least two hours to get around the park.

  • I am a member or annual pass holder, do I need to book?

    No – RZSS members and their accompanied guests no longer have to book in advance for visits to Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo.

    As usual, RZSS members must accompany guests who can pay for admission on the gate – please sign up for member emails for the latest updates. 

    You will need to bring confirmation of both your membership/annual pass, alongside a valid form of photo ID on the day of your visit.

    Membership confirmation can include your confirmation email, letter OR membership card if you have one.

  • How do I book a Blue Peter badge or 'Kids for a quid' ticket?

    Children with Blue Peter badges go free with a full paying adult – simply select the 'prepaid child' ticket option when booking online in advance and be sure to have your badge with you on the day.

    Children with Scotrail 'kids for a quid' ticket are also free with a full paying adult – simply select the 'prepaid child' ticket option when booking online in advance and be sure to have the Scotrail ticket with you and valid for the same day.

  • I need to change my ticket dates, is this possible?

    If you need to change the date of your visit for any reason please email wildlife@rzss.org.uk, including your booking details, and bear with us – our team are receiving high volumes of queries and will get back to everyone as soon as they can. Thank you for your patience.

    We will of course rearrange your visit to a day with availability if you need to self-isolate or have another emergency and really appreciate your patience – do not worry if you do not receive a reply before your original booked date.

    Please note: visitor numbers are limited to protect you, other visitors and our staff. It may not be possible to rearrange your visit to a date that is already fully booked.

  • I got an error message when booking or didn't receive a confirmation email, what should I do?

    We are very sorry if you've had trouble booking tickets online – occasionally our charity’s website gets a little overwhelmed and needs some support. Please rest assured that we are on the case!

    In the meantime, if you see an error message instead of a confirmation page, or do not receive a confirmation email, please check if the payment has come out of your bank account before trying again – if needed, we will accept this as proof of payment for entry into the park and you do not need to email us to arrange this.

    Refunds for accidental multiple payments can be requested by emailing your request with your full name and the last four digits of the payment card number to wildlife@rzss.org.uk. These will be paid as soon as possible.

    Thank you for your patience and understanding.

  • I’m an adopter and I get free tickets as part of my adoption, what do I do?

    If you have not yet received your adoption pack in the post, please email membership@rzss.org.uk with your details and they can send e-tickets across to your inbox for you to use and will get your exciting adoption pack to you as soon as possible.

    Please also email membership@rzss.org.uk with your details if your tickets expired while we were closed. We can arrange for new tickets to be sent to you.

    If you are a silver, gold or platinum adopter, we would also recommend sending an email when you have booked your visit, so that we can ensure your name is up on the adoption sign

  • What will be open?

    Our drive-through reserve tours are still postponed. Our café is open and there are local food vendors on site too!

    Check the chalk boards in Antler's Cafe and the gift shop on arrival for information about what ranger talks and feeds will be happening during your visit. 

    Toilets and playparks are open with additional cleaning and hygiene measures in place.

    Please note:

    Extreme weather conditions can mean we have to close parts of the park, including our drive through reserve, to visitors for everyone's safety.

    Please do check the weather forecast and our website before travelling.

  • Can I bring a picnic or will the cafes be open?

    Yes! As always, you are welcome to bring a picnic with your own food and non-alcoholic drink.

    Our cafes are open for limited services with card payments. There are also local food vendors on site,

    There are picnic tables available which are regularly cleaned and placed with plenty of space in between. We simply ask that you remember to take your rubbish away with you with consideration for our other visitors and the safety of our animals (who will try and eat just about anything that blows into their home!).

     

  • Will the gift shop be open?

    Yes! Our gift shop is currently open and we recommend giving yourself plenty of time to visit before closing as our small shop often has queues for entry in the afternoon.

    And watch this space! Work has started on a brand-new visitor experience which will be bigger and more accessible to all our guests. Scotland's Wildlife Discovery Centre will also be a community hub for a wide range of outreach and discovery programmes.

  • Can I bring my dog with me to the park?

    If you are a pet owner – please be aware that only assistance dogs are permitted in the park.

    To protect animal welfare, dogs and other pets are not permitted in any areas of Highland Wildlife Park, including our car park.

    Guide dogs and other registered assistance dogs are permitted in most areas of the park. Assistance dogs in training are not permitted to enter.

  • Are the mobility vehicles and other accessibility services running?

    Our two new electric mobility vehicles are up and running with zero emissions – please ask our retail team on arrival for more information.

    Wheelchairs are also available for hire on a first come first served basis. Our electric mobility scooter service is currently unavailable.

    Steep slopes and steps are signposted with alternative routes and there is an updated mobility map available for visitors.

RZSS members

  • Do members have to book in advance?

    No – RZSS members and their accompanied guests no longer have to book in advance for visits to Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo.

    As usual, RZSS members must accompany guests who can pay for admission on the gate – please sign up for member emails for the latest updates. 

    You will need to bring confirmation of both your membership/annual pass, alongside a valid form of photo ID on the day of your visit.

    Membership confirmation can include your confirmation email, letter OR membership card if you have one.

  • Can we bring guests?

    Yes – you can bring guests and buy their tickets when you arrive at Highland Wildlife Park.

    Members must be present when guests enter the park. 

  • Can I come if I am a new RZSS member?

    Yes. Any RZSS member with confirmation of  membership is welcome.

  • Can I become a member?

    Yes! You can join us as a member online. You will receive a confirmation email straight away which you can then use as proof of membership when visiting.

  • How do I check the status of my membership or renew?

    To check the status of your membership, or to restart/renew your membership, please contact membership@rzss.org.uk.

    We are receiving LOTS of messages and will get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you for your patience.

  • I haven’t received my membership card, what do I do?

    If you haven’t received a card yet, please don’t worry – your confirmation email or letter together with a valid form of photo ID is all the proof we need. If you would like another confirmation sent to you, please contact membership@rzss.org.uk.

  • Can I use public transport to access the park?

    Yes - find out how to get to Highland Wildlife Park.

    If you or anyone in your household are showing Covid-19 symptoms, please stay at home.

  • Will severe weather affect our visit?

    Sometimes! We always do everything we can to stay open and welcome you to the park, but extreme weather can take this decision out of our hands (and paws...) and mean closing parts of the park, including our drive through reserve, to visitors for everyone's safety.

    Please do check the weather forecast before travelling.

Have another question?

Please bear with us (pun always intended) - we receive LOTS of messages and emails and will get back to everyone as quickly as we can.

Like many other organisations, we are working with a smaller team at the moment and will not be able to answer phone calls at this time.

We really appreciate your support and patience and kindly ask that you read all of the information available before getting in touch.

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