You will find an A-Z listing of Things To Do in our bedrooms. Scotland is not just about whisky – this time, we are talking about Z for Zoos and Wildlife in Scotland.
Moray is a small County within the United Kingdom. Still, like Scotland, it delivers well above its weight in fabulous activities and things to do, not just exceptional single malt whisky.
Nowadays, zoos are less popular than they once were, as the attraction of seeing animals maintained in cages loses its appeal. However, in this case, the Zoo in question is the Highland Wildlife Park, so it is less of a Zoo and more of a National Park.
You may have seen the Highland Wildlife Park on national and world news with the birth of three gorgeous-looking and endangered Amur Tiger cubs.
Before that, the Park had a famous resident, Hamish, the Polar bear cub born at the park—the first Polar Bear born in the UK for 25 years who now lives in Doncaster.
Many of the park’s residents will be in a suitable climate, situated in the Cairngorms National Park in an area classed as a Mountain and Tundra reserve. Open seven days a week, the park is just a scenic hour’s drive from us. You can drive around the park in your car and stop to investigate walk-around areas on foot. 
The Park is partnered with Edinburgh Zoo and hosts several non-native residents seldom seen in this country. However, rest assured you are likely to see residents as well. Look out for Scottish Wildcats, Capercailles, Red Squirrels and, of course, Red Deer.
Planning your visit to the Park is good advice, especially with the new Amur Tiger Cubs on view, which will no doubt be a popular attraction as many of us would not normally expect to see Amur Tigers in our lifetime.
When driving in the Park, take the time to drive some of the more minor, scenic routes through the Cairngorms. Visit Carrbridge to see the stunning mountains in the far distance. Look out for wildlife on the road, likely sheep – this is Scotland, after all.
Depending upon your schedule, you will be very close to the Highland Folk Museum, and you might like to take a step back in time and experience some authentic Highland life. This is probably a unique opportunity to glimpse Highland Life and see the Highland landscape at both top-rated attractions.
You might prefer to find the time to meet the Reindeer at The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre. Granted, the Reindeer are not a native species, but they are so at home in the Cairngorms that it is fitting to find them living in Scotland. They are free-ranging on the Cairngorm Mountains, so a trip to find them can be a unique and rewarding experience.
Other Wildlife in Scotland
Another attraction close by is the Loch Garten Nature Reserve, well known for having Ospreys in residence since the 1950s. Of course, these are all wild birds, so there are no guarantees, but the walks around the woodland environment make for a great day out.
Then again, if zoos or animals are in captivity, albeit endangered animals that are at least breeding, Scotland offers the chance to view many different species of wildlife in the wild. At the right time of year, Red Deer are often easily seen around Loch Muick, and most of the year, the Moray Firth is home to many dolphins, porpoises, minke whales and recently, Orcas.
Of course, your wildlife viewing continues even after you leave the park. If you wander the Blervie grounds, you will likely see Roe Deer, Red Squirrels, Hares, Foxes, Badgers, and Pine Martins.
If you are looking for birdlife, expect to see buzzards, pheasants, woodpeckers, oystercatchers, blue herons, and many others, not to mention the owls at night.