St Andrews Aquarium
ASCOTLAND’S national aquarium is the closest you’ll ever get to swimming with marine life without actually getting wet!
Deep Sea World opened to the public in 1994 on the site of the disused Battery Quarry, and it soon became one of the country’s most consistantly popular tourist attractions. The car park on the top level is like the tip of an iceberg as you descend into an aquatic world that has to be seen to be believed. You’ll come face to face with Scotland’s only collection of sand tiger sharks and hundreds of other creatures from seahorses to piranha. “We have around 10,000 animals at Deep Sea World,” says marketing manager Fraser Edwards. “These include our resident harbour seals and a number of other amphibians and reptiles.
“For us, one of the key attractions is that we’re able to educate our visitors on species from all around the world. They’re able to ask our expert staff any questions, and learn about conservation and what they can do to help.” One of the most popular attractions at Deep Sea World concerns close encounters of a shark kind. “Last year we had over 800 visitors booked on to our Shark Encounters,” continues Fraser. “Diving with sharks in a temperate-waters tank, with other native species of fish, sharks and rays, is unique in the UK.
“No diving experience is necessary for either adult or junior experiences. We also offer a monthly dive night for qualified divers, which allows them the chance to dive with our seven sand tiger sharks.”
Even if you prefer to stay dry, the underwater safari gets you up close to myriad underwater creatures. The 112m (367ft) tunnel is one of the longest of its kind in the world. Glass 6.5cm (2.5in) thick is all that separates you from 4.5 million litres (990,000 gallons) of water. Marvel at the giant rays, or enjoy the many smaller inhabitants enjoying life in a habitat similar to nature.
Deep Sea World also champions conservation, offering breeding projects and research, and housing endangered species as well as a Seal Sanctuary which opened in 2005. The centre offers a chance to get to know other versions of our aquatic world, including the Amazonian rainforests, through talks or feeding sessions. It’s a hugely entertaining and educating attraction, easily accessible by train or car. www.deepseaworld.com NOTHER acquatic attraction lies in St Andrews. It straddles the gap between land and sea, and gives you the chance to get up close to a variety of creatures, from sharks to spiders, lobsters to lionfish and seals to scorpions.
Nestled on dramatic north-facing cliffs, with stunning views of the famous west sands and St Andrews Bay, the setting is an attraction in itself.
There are plenty of hands-on activities and visitor interaction, including the feeding of penguins, seals and meerkats, plus reptile and spider handling.
If you like creepy-crawlies, you’ll have a ball as the aquarium houses some of the world’s biggest arachnids. Feeding experiences lasts roughly 30 minutes and conclude with the presentation of a certificate.
It’s an ideal day out for all the family, and if your indoor aquarium experiences need to be followed up by the outdoor equivalent, a paddle in the North Sea is within easy reach! www.standrewsaquarium.co.uk
“Qualified divers can dive with our sharks” sand tiger