Access Guide

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Summary

The Highland Wildlife Park is located off the B1952 between Aviemore and Kingussie, off the main A9 route between Central Scotland and the Highland.
Services/facilities within the venue include a visitor centre with café and shop, animal enclosures, play park, picnic areas, guided tours and experiences, and a drive through.
Services / facilities within the grounds include Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre at Highland Wildlife Park including the three buildings; The Learning Hive - A' Chaonnag, The Gateway - An Doras, and The Conservation Den - An Saobhaidh.
For the Highland Wildlife Park - The Learning Hive - A' Chaonnag AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
For the Highland Wildlife Park - The Gateway - An Doras AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
For the Highland Wildlife Park - The Conservation Den - An Saobhaidh AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
For the Highland Wildlife Park - Lower Park Area AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).
For the Highland Wild life Park - Upper Park Area AccessAble Access Guide please click here (new tab).

Opening Hours

For information about the opening hours please click here.
Admission to the park will only be permitted up to one hour before closing time.

Getting Here (Highland Wildlife Park)

By Road View
- 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).
By Bus View
- 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).
By Train View
- 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.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance Dogs and Emotional Support Animals.
Only registered assistance dogs that are accompanying their respective partner are permitted to enter the park. If you wish to bring an assistance dog into the park please inform a member of our admissions team when you arrive. Be aware that access may be restricted to certain areas.
Please note, assistance dogs in training are not permitted to enter. In addition to the above admission, assistance dogs are subject to the following regulations of BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria).
All assistance dogs must be up-to-date with all inoculations.
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and under strict control.
Dogs must not be allowed to defecate anywhere in the park grounds and any incidents should be cleared away by their owners.
If the behaviour of our animals or your dog is affected, please move away from the area to ensure both their safety and those of our other visitors.
As a leading conservation charity, the health and welfare of an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and our own animals is always paramount. As such, we do not generally recommend the zoo as an appropriate environment for ESAs. With the exception of trained and accredited assistance dogs, for which we have an established process and provision, we strongly advise that guests should never simply arrive at the zoo with any animal, expecting entry.

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).