Highland Wildlife Park celebrates 200,000 visitors in record-breaking year

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park welcomed its 200,000th visitor last weekend, cementing 2018 as the busiest year ever for the park, which was voted best family day out at the Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards in September.

Visitor numbers have almost doubled this year with tourists and locals flocking to the park after Hamish, the first polar bear cub to be born in the UK for 25 years, took his first steps outside in March.

The Mackay family from Fife pushed the grand total to more than 200,000 on Saturday December 8 and they were treated to free entry and a behind-the-scenes polar bear experience to celebrate.

Daska Mackintosh, Highland Wildlife Park’s head of operations and visitor services, said: ‘We’ve had an incredible year and reaching 200,000 visitors is a phenomenal milestone.

‘I’m very proud of the whole team who have worked exceptionally hard to provide excellent customer service over the course of our busiest year ever.

‘As a charity, we depend on every visitor to help us carry out vital conservation work in Scotland and across the world. Hamish’s arrival has helped us to highlight the threats that many wild animals are facing and the small changes we can make to really make a big difference.

‘Being home to the UK’s only polar bear cub has been fantastic for us and the local area. It’s great to see so many more visitors experiencing the stunning views and great days out that Cairngorms National Park has to offer.’

Highland Wildlife Park celebrated Hamish’s first birthday on Tuesday December 18 and people who share the polar bear cub’s name or date of birth can get free entry on the day.