Highland Wildlife Park: See Native Scottish Animals and Exotic Species with Ticket Info

Just outside the village of Kingussie in the Scottish Highlands, Highland Wildlife Park isn’t just another zoo. It’s a 100-acre conservation hub where you can stand a few feet from a wild lynx, watch European bison graze in snow-dusted fields, and spot a rare Scottish wildcat hiding in the heather. Unlike city zoos, this place doesn’t just display animals-it protects them. And it’s open year-round, even in winter.

Native Scottish Animals You Can See Here

If you’ve ever wondered what real Scottish wildlife looks like beyond postcards, this is your chance. The park runs one of the UK’s most successful breeding programs for animals that vanished from the wild centuries ago.

The Scottish wildcat is the star. With fewer than 100 purebred individuals left in the wild, this elusive predator looks like a giant tabby cat with a bushy, ringed tail. At Highland Wildlife Park, you’ll find them in quiet, wooded enclosures designed to mimic their natural habitat. Staff don’t feed them daily to keep their hunting instincts sharp-so sightings aren’t guaranteed, but when you do see one, you’ll remember it.

Then there’s the European bison. Once hunted to extinction in the wild across Europe, these massive beasts-weighing up to 1,000 kg-are now being reintroduced into forests in Poland and Romania. Highland Wildlife Park breeds them as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. Watching a bull bison shake off snow with its thick mane is like witnessing a living relic of the Ice Age.

You’ll also find red deer, the largest land mammal in the UK. Males (stags) with antlers spanning over a meter are common here, especially in autumn during rutting season. The park’s population is genetically pure, meaning they’re not mixed with farmed deer. That’s rare. Most deer you see in parks today have domestic bloodlines.

Don’t miss the Arctic fox. Their white winter coats turn brown in summer, and they’re surprisingly playful. The park’s keepers have trained them to respond to a whistle, so you’ll often see them trotting over when called. And yes, they’re real foxes-not tame pets.

Exotic Species from Around the World

While native species are the heart of the park, you’ll also find animals from distant lands. These aren’t random zoo imports-they’re part of global conservation efforts.

The Przewalski’s horse is one of the most important. Once extinct in the wild, this stocky, dun-colored horse was saved by captive breeding. Highland Wildlife Park has one of the few breeding pairs in the UK. They’re not pretty like Arabian horses-they’re rugged, with upright manes and no forelock. But they’re the last truly wild horses left on Earth.

Then there’s the Amur leopard. With fewer than 100 left in the wild in Russia’s Far East, this cat is the rarest big cat on the planet. The park’s pair is part of a coordinated breeding network across Europe. You’ll see them lounging on rocky ledges, their spotted coats blending into the shadows. Keepers avoid direct contact-they’re too valuable to risk habituation.

Don’t skip the snow leopard enclosure. These cats are masters of camouflage. They move like ghosts across the high-altitude rocky terrain designed to mimic the Himalayas. The park uses heated rocks and windbreaks to keep them comfortable in Scottish winters. Spotting one is a lucky moment-most visitors walk past without realizing they’ve seen one.

And yes, you’ll find polar bears. Highland Wildlife Park is one of only two places in the UK with them. The enclosure is huge-over 1,000 square meters-with a deep, chilled pool and ice platforms. The bears here were born in captivity and can’t be released. But they’re part of a breeding program to preserve genetic diversity. Watching them swim underwater is mesmerizing.

How to Get Tickets and When to Go

Tickets are only sold online. You can’t buy them at the gate. This isn’t a gimmick-it’s to manage visitor flow and protect animal welfare. Crowds stress the animals, especially the more sensitive ones like snow leopards and wildcats.

Adult tickets cost £22.50. Children (5-15) are £14.50. Under-fives get in free. There’s no discount for seniors, but if you’re a member of any UK zoo or wildlife trust, you get 10% off. That includes RSPCA, ZSL, and even the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Book at least three days ahead in summer. On weekends in July and August, tickets sell out by Wednesday. Winter visits are quieter-November to February-and often cheaper. You can get a £3 discount if you book a weekday ticket during those months.

Opening hours change with the seasons. In summer (March-October), it’s 9:30 AM to 6 PM. In winter (November-February), it’s 10 AM to 4 PM. The park closes on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Pro tip: Arrive early. The animals are most active in the morning. By 2 PM, many are napping. The feeding times are posted on the website and at the entrance. The bison feed at 10:30 AM. The polar bears at 11:30 AM. The wolves at 2 PM. Don’t miss those.

What You’ll See Beyond the Animals

The park isn’t just about cages and enclosures. It’s a landscape. You’ll walk through ancient pine forests, past lochs with nesting ospreys, and up to viewpoints that overlook the Cairngorms. There are no fast-food chains here-just a café serving local oatcakes, venison pies, and Scottish tea.

There’s a hands-on discovery center where kids can touch real pelts, hear recordings of wolf howls, and learn how scientists track wildcats using GPS collars. You’ll also find a small museum with taxidermy specimens of animals that once lived in Scotland but vanished-like the wolf and the beaver. The beaver reintroduction project in the Spey Valley? That started with animals bred here.

Walking trails are wheelchair-friendly. Pushchairs are fine on most paths, though the steep hill to the polar bear enclosure has a steep ramp. There are plenty of benches, picnic spots, and heated shelters if it rains.

Why This Park Matters

Highland Wildlife Park doesn’t just show you animals. It shows you what’s at stake. The Scottish wildcat isn’t just a cute cat-it’s a genetic line that could vanish forever. The Przewalski’s horse isn’t just a curiosity-it’s proof that extinction isn’t always final.

The park works with universities, the Scottish government, and international conservation groups. Every ticket you buy funds research, habitat restoration, and anti-poaching efforts abroad. In 2025, they funded a project in Mongolia to protect snow leopard prey species. That’s how it works.

It’s not a theme park. There are no rides, no gift shops full of plastic toys. There’s a small shop with books, binoculars, and handmade wool scarves from local weavers. That’s it.

What to Bring

Even in summer, it’s colder here than you think. Bring a waterproof jacket, even if the forecast says sunny. The Highlands change weather fast. Wear sturdy shoes-paths are muddy, rocky, or snowy depending on the season.

Bring binoculars. You’ll see more with them than with your eyes alone. The snow leopards are often far up on the rocks. The wildcats hide in thickets. Binoculars turn a vague shape into a real animal.

Don’t bring dogs. They’re not allowed, even on leads. The wildcats and foxes react badly to them. Service animals are fine, but you must notify the park in advance.

And don’t feed the animals. Seriously. Even if they look hungry. That’s how they get sick. Keep your snacks in your bag.

How to Get There

The park is 12 miles from Kingussie, off the A9. If you’re driving from Inverness, it’s about 45 minutes. From Perth, it’s 90 minutes. There’s a large free car park. No need to book parking.

Public transport is limited. The Stagecoach 915 bus from Inverness stops at Kingussie, but you’ll need a taxi the last 4 miles. Taxis are available in Kingussie-book one in advance if you’re arriving late.

If you’re staying overnight, there are B&Bs in Kingussie and Aviemore. Some offer package deals with park tickets.