enquiries & tariffs

book online here

Packages

Spring Breaks
Gourmet Break
Outdoor Breaks
Golf Package

Nature & Wildlife


Possibly one of Scotland's least trumpeted and most stunning assets

Highland Wildlife

Get closer than you ever thought possible as past meets present in the spectacular setting of the Highland Wildlife Park. Specialising in Scottish Wildlife past and present, animals from our past include wolves, and its Wolf Territory shows off these magnificent animals very well. There are habitat areas with creatures such as Scotland's largest and rarest grouse the capercaillie, the otter and many more.

MARVEL at many of Scotland's native species as you drive around our huge reserve (walkers will be taken by park staff): herds of beautiful red deer, secretive roe deer, magnificent Highland cattle. Meet species now extinct in the wild: enormous bison, ancient breeds of sheep and the wild Przewalski's horses, once of the world's rarest animals.

EXPLORE the rest of the Park on foot, as you wander around our themed habitats, meeting an amazing variety of Scottish animals including capercaillie, foxes, badgers, pine martens, otters and lynx. See red squirrels in their secluded feeding station in the Forest Habitat.

DISCOVER an amazing variety of native Scottish wildlife in this wild and truly unique attraction. Then step back in time as you meet animals which roamed the earth hundreds, even thousands of years ago. Get closer than you ever thought possible as past meets present in the spectacular setting of the Highland Wildlife Park.

BE AMAZED as you enter the world of the wolf. The 'bid, bad wolf' has long been part of myth, fairytale and legend. Find out the truth about these fascinating creatures when you visit our exciting new Wolf Territory, with a raised walkway taking you right into the heart of the enclosure.

Cairngorm Reindeer

Established as Reindeer House in Glenmore, as a meeting place for interested parties waiting to join guided tours onto the hill, the Reindeer Centre has since evolved into an information point and Reindeer Shop as well. Wall displays tell visitors more about the reindeer, their natural history, world distribution and, of course, their association with the famous Father Christmas.

There are small paddocks at the Reindeer Centre where visitors who do not have time to go on the hill trip can, for a modest charge, see a small group of reindeer that we bring down off the hills from day to day. Any reindeer which need particular attention, such as extra feeding after an illness, are also likely to be staying at the centre.

Osprey

"When ospreys returned to Scotland in the 1950s no-one knew the story that would unfold. There is now a splendid new visitor centre for people to find out more about ospreys and other wildlife of the area."

Close to two million people have now been to Loch Garten to see successive pairs of ospreys and their young at the nest.

The new Centre is of an innovative design and provides opportunities for visitors to watch ospreys and learn about their conservation. It is constructed almost entirely from native Scots Pine timber, much of it from sustainably -managed woods of the Abernethy Forest Reserve. Even the roof is partly made of Scots pine cut into shingle roof titles. Trees from areas of existing conservation woodland management, carefully selected for maximum timber output, were felled and extracted by horse to minimise damage to vegetation.

Rothie

A wide range or diversity of habitats can be found within Rothiemurchus. Woodlands of different kinds, wet and dry heathland, wetlands, grassland, river, stream and loch all provide a variety of locations where plants and animals can live.

Over 300 different kinds of flowering plant have been recorded in the area, from the fertile and sheltered banks of the River Spey to the harsh, demanding climate and soils of the mountain areas. A walk through any small area of the estate in summertime is always a voyage of discovery for the botanist.

Over 20 species of mammals have been recorded and can be listed here. Some are active during daylight and can be encountered quite often; others are less common or mainly active at dusk or night time.

Species include: Red Deer, Roe Deer, Long-tailed Field Mouse, House Mouse, Brown Rat, Short-tailed Vole, Bank Vole, Water Vole, Red Squirrel, Mountain Hare, Brown Hare, Rabbit, Feral Mink, Weasel, Otter, Stoat, Pine Marten, Fox, Wildcat, Badger, Daubenton's Bat. Pipistrelle Bat, Long-eared Bat, Hedgehog, Common Shrew, Pygmy Shrew and Mole.

Reptiles include: Adder, Common Lizard and Slow worm.
Amphibians include: Common Frog, Common Toad, Palmate Newt.

Revack

A superb visitor attraction at nearby Grantown on Spey set in 350 acres of outstanding scenery, Walled garden, Ornamental lochs, 10 miles of walks and trails, Garden centre, Orchid houses, Gift shop and Restaurant. Rich in wildlife.

Click here to read about our awards

the boat
boat of garten
Inverness-shire
Scotland
PH24 3BH
T: 01479 831258
F: 01479 831414
E: info@boathotel.co.uk