A new visitor centre has opened to the public at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore.

The £1.6 million redevelopment includes a shop, café and accessible facilities, and forms the final phase of a £7.6million investment in the park. An interactive exhibition centre, hilltop den, and an events space for schools and communities opened last year.

“Our new café and shop are fantastic additions to the park, and features such as an accessible lift and a changing places toilet will help more people with additional needs to visit and engage with our natural world,” says Ben Supple, the charity’s deputy chief executive.

The park features a variety of unusual mammals and birds including a snow leopard, polar bear, tiger, and arctic fox, among a host of other species from around the world.

Groups receive discounted rates based on £18.40 for adults, £15.30 concessions, and £13.80 for children. The park is set in a rugged location but accessible routes are available, with manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters available for use in limited numbers.

To find out more, visit www.highlandwildlifepark.org.uk/ or contact Eloise Mair at groups@rzss.org.uk.