Edinburgh Zoo

Open since 1913, and still going strong, Edinburgh Zoo gives you the opportunity to meet over 1,000 animals, and is the most exciting wildlife attraction in Scotland.

Recognised as one of the worlds leading zoos, there are many conservation breeding programmes in place that give priority to the physical and behavioural welfare of the animals in their care.

With the mission statement ...

to “inspire and excite visitors… to promote the conservation of threatened species and habitats” you get a fair idea of what this Zoo is all about.

Owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, it's our second most popular paid for tourist attraction with over 600,000 visitors a year.

Edinburgh Zoo is constantly being updated with new enclosures being created for the animals. There are educational facilities for both children and adults, and a visit here may well inspire you and make you want to save the animals of the world.

Located at Corstorphine Hill, about four miles from the city centre of Edinburgh, and set in 80 acres of beautiful parkland, there is something for everyone. You will meet Gorillas, Polar Bears, lions and tigers, giraffes, camels and monkeys, as well as a huge range of other animals. The new ape accommodation hosts a group of lowland gorillas, the first to be seen in Scotland, and the Zoo also boasts the first penguins to be seen outside of the South Atlantic.

The penguin house is one of the most popular attractions and the highlight has to be the daily “Penguin Parade.”

The parade started accidentally when one of the keepers left open a gate to the penguin pool, and was followed by penguins all around the zoo. That was the start and now the Edinburgh Zoo penguin parade has about 120 penguins marching around every afternoon in summer.

They are let out of their cage to take part in the march around a designated route through the zoo.

That's not all you'll see. Pygmy hippos, snow leopards, meerkats, and blue poison arrow frogs, an extensive collection of birds, the list goes on. You are allowed to handle some of the smaller animals like rats, snails and snakes. There are many other attractions, which include the Hilltop Safari Tour, with free rides to the top of the hill, the Magic Forest, African Plains Experience, the Maze, children's play areas, gift shops and restaurants.

You can follow the conservation trail, there to raise awareness of nature conservation, and there is also a rainy weather trail to help keep you dry in inclement weather, which is not a bad idea when you're in Scotland.

The Zoo can be reached by train, bus or car and regularly hosts events to increase public awareness to the plight of many endangered species. You can lend support to the zoo in many ways, such as Membership and Donations, Animal Adoption, Legacies and Volunteering. A warm welcome and a great day out for all the family is guaranteed at Edinburgh Zoo.