Access Guide
Getting Here (Highland Wildlife Park)
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By Road
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- Highland Wildlife Park is approximately 7 miles southwest of Aviemore and 4.5 miles northeast of Kingussie.
If you are travelling north on the A9 (Inverness), turn off for Kingussie/Kincraig, and follow the B9152 north.
If you are travelling south on the A9 (Perth), turn off south of Aviemore for Kincraig and follow the B9152 through Kincraig to the Park. - There is an accessible car park with Blue Badge parking and a main car park at the site. Car parking is free.
- For more information onhttps://www.google.com/maps/place/Highland+Wildlife+Park/@57.109751,-3.9679,188732m/data=3m11e34m63m51s0x488f5a16fbb712f3:0x74b4583d619e26be8m23d57.1097514d-3.967899716zL20vMGQwYjRr please click here (opens new tab).
- Highland Wildlife Park is approximately 7 miles southwest of Aviemore and 4.5 miles northeast of Kingussie.
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By Bus
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- There is a bus stop within 150 metres of the walkway.
- Both Stagecoach and Citylink operate regular bus services to Aviemore.
You can reach Aviemore via Express Coaches from all over the country, or there is also a Scottish Citylink bus service which has limited stops at the park.
For timetable information, phone Citylink on 0871 266 33 33.
The local Stagecoach bus number 39/M39 service coming from Carrbridge/Aviemore or Newtonmore stops at the bottom of the entrance road. You will then have a walk of around half a mile to the pay kiosks. The bus stop, Highland Wildlife Park Road End, is on the B9152 between Kincraig and Kingussie. - For more information on for local bus service updates and journey planning please click here (opens new tab).
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By Train
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- The nearest Railway Station is Aviemore.
- The main train station is in Aviemore – regular trains from Edinburgh, Perth, Glasgow, Inverness and an overnight sleeper from London stop here. Anyone planning to travel by train can make journeys across the UK with Scotrail and East Coast Trains.
There is step-free access to all platforms via ramps that may be long or steep in places. A ramp for boarding or alighting the train is available. - For more information on accessibility and station facilities at Aviemore please click here (opens new tab).
- For more information on local and national train services to and from Aviemore please click here (opens new tab).
Getting Help and Assistance (Highland Wildlife Park)
- For Highland Wildlife Park's Accessibility Statement please click here (new tab).
- Please click here for information on opening times.
- The following are available: zoo maps, sensory maps, accessibility maps, downloadable zoo maps, downloadable sensory maps and downloadable accessibility maps.
- There is a member of staff available for help and assistance.
- There is a member of staff trained in British Sign Language.
- The alternative formats documents can be provided in include; large print and audio.
- There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area at the venue/nearby.
- Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
- There are mobility aids available.
- The mobility aids available include wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
- To obtain mobility aids please contact the visitor centre.
- There is a designated place of safety which can be used by people who may feel scared or at risk .
- The designated place of safety is located in the First Aid room near the accessible car park.
- Sensory packs are available and include: accessible maps and sensory maps. For more information about reserving a pack, and any charges, please contact the venue before your visit.
- Mobility Assistance.
There are wheelchairs, pushchairs and electric mobility scooters available for free hire. These require a fully refundable deposit. Please enquire at the main entrance on arrival or at the visitor centre.
Some areas of the park may not be suitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters. Steep slopes and steps are signposted with alternative routes and there is an updated mobility map available for visitors which can be downloaded below. - More information on the accessibility map for the park.
- More information on the sensory map for the park.
- Talks and Tours.
There are a number of talks and tours which take place around the park, some private and some public. This includes days with translated talks/tours including BSL.
Some talks are being translated into BSL which will be available onsite via QR code. Please enquire at the visitor centre. - Carers.
Visitors who require special assistance are offered free admission for one accompanying carer when they pay the full adult/concession/child price.
Please bring relevant proof of entitlement, such as a National Disability Card, an Access Card with a ‘+1’ symbol, a ‘plus one’ travel card or a letter from Personal Independence Payment, as this will be asked for on arrival.
Location of Toilet/Changing Facilities
- Accessible toilet facilities are located by the sheltered picnic area, in the visitor centre, and in the Learning Hive.
- Female and male standard toilet facilities are located by the picnic area, in the visitor centre, and in the Learning Hive.
- Gender Neutral standard toilet facilities are located in the Learning Hive.
- Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet with adaptations by the sheltered picnic area, in the visitor centre, and in the toilet with adaptations in the Learning Hive.
- For detailed information on the toilet facilities available please click here (new tab).
Parking
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Parking
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- The venue does have its own parking facilities.
- The car park is located at the end of the main road as you enter the wildlife park, just before the visitor centre.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
- The car park does not have a barrier control system.
- The car park surface is compacted gravel.
- Clearly marked/signposted parent and child parking bays are not available.
- All parking spaces are provided on a first come first served basis.
- There is an additional car park for visitors.
- Additional parking is at the Monkey Field car park. Please see the relevant guide for more information.
- Just before the main car park there is a buses and mobile homes car park. The area is signed but bays are not marked.
This car park has Blue Badge and standard parking areas. At busy times this car park becomes a Blue Badge only car park and all standard parking bays are available at Monkey Field.
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Blue Badge Parking
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- There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
- The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are signposted but have no markings.
- There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The Blue Badge parking bays do not have a marked zone around them.
- Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
- Blue Badge bays and standard parking bays have no markings but there are edging stones at the front of the bays at a width of 160cm.
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Paying
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- There are no parking charges for the car park.
- Free parking for all users is limited to the opening times of the wildlife park.
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Access from the Car Park
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- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
- The entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
- The surface on the approach to the entrance is loose chippings.
- There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
- There is no tactile paving on dropped kerbs between the car park and the entrance.
- The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 45m (49yd 8in) from the visitor centre entrance.
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Drop-off Point(s)
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- There is not a/are not clearly marked drop-off point(s).
Getting to the Visitor Centre
- From the Blue Badge parking bays follow the path at the rear right towards the visitor centre.
- The visitor centre is approximately 45 metres ahead.
- The surface of the path is tarmac with loose chippings.
- The width of the path is over 150cm.
- There are some potholes creating uneven surfaces.