Access Guide
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).
- Highland Wildlife Park is approximately 7 miles southwest of Aviemore and 4.5 miles northeast of Kingussie.
-
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.
Getting to Tiger Walkway from the Visitor Centre
- The access point to Tiger Walkway is at the rear right of the visitor centre.
- The walkway is over 150cm wide.
- The surface of the walkway is wood and may be slippery when wet.
- There are slight slopes along tiger walkway to the lower viewing area.
- From the access point, follow the walkway for approximately 65 metres until you come to an intersection.
- At the intersection turn left for the lower viewing area, or right for the upper viewing area.
- If turning right to the upper viewing area, the surface of the path becomes tarmac and gravel. This path has a steep slope.
- The upper viewing area is approximately 40 metres along the right path.
Access Point (Tiger Walkway)
-
Access Point
View
- This information is for the access point located at the rear left of the visitor centre.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this access point.
- There is open access.
- There is an information board/map at this access point.
- There is a signpost at this entrance.
-
Ramp/Slope
View
- The ramp/slope is located just beyond the access point.
- The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
- The ramp/slope is permanent.
- There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
- There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the ramp.
Animal Enclosures (Upper Enclosure)
- This enclosure is outdoor.
- The enclosure is at the upper part of Tiger Walkway.
-
Entrance / Opening
View
- There are no doors, however there is an open width of 75cm+ for access to this enclosure.
- The entrance/opening is not clearly signed.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance/opening.
- There is step-free access at this entrance/opening.
-
Animal Enclosure
View
- There is not level access throughout this area.
- There are level changes on some pathways throughout.
- Clear directional signage is not provided in this area.
- During busy periods this area can become congested.
- The flooring in the enclosure is hard flooring.
- Some flooring is uneven.
- Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in this area.
- This area does not play background music/sound.
- There are resting/seating areas within this area.
- Information in this area includes the following formats: pictorial and information board.
- There was not a staff member in the enclosure at the time of the survey.
- There are shows/talks in the enclosure, with no designated seating available for wheelchair users.
- There are steep gradients along the walkways.
- There is a low level viewing area at 60cm high.
- There is a low colour contrast between the walls and the walkways in this area.
-
Exit
View
- Visitors exit via the entrance/opening.
Animal Enclosures (Lower Enclosure)
- This enclosure is outdoor.
- The lower enclosure is located along Tiger Walkway, to the left at the path intersection.
-
Entrance / Opening
View
- There are no doors, however there is an open width of 75cm+ for access to this enclosure.
- The entrance/opening is not clearly signed.
- There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance/opening.
- There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance/opening.
- There is a slight slope over 150cm wide, with no handrails.
- The slope has no level landing.
-
Animal Enclosure
View
- There is level access throughout this area.
- Clear directional signage is not provided in this area.
- During busy periods this area can become congested.
- The flooring in the enclosure is hard flooring.
- Some flooring is uneven.
- Handrails with a rounded or oval profile are not provided in this area.
- This area does not play background music/sound.
- There are not resting/seating areas within this area.
- Information in this area includes the following formats: pictorial and information board.
- There was not a staff member in the enclosure at the time of the survey.
- There are shows/talks in the enclosure, with no designated seating available for wheelchair users.
- There is a low level viewing area at 55cm high.
- There is a low colour contrast between the walls and the walkways in this area.
-
Exit
View
- Visitors exit via the entrance/opening.
