blair drummond safari opening hours

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Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park

Visit one of Scotland's top attractions for an incredible family day out. Come and view giraffes, lions, elephant, tigers, and meerkats. Take your chances with the cheeky monkeys in the Park's famous Macaque Drive-thru, walk with free-roaming lemurs in Lemur Land, catch the popular bird of prey flying displays, and meet the dinosaurs - all included in the price of your entry ticket.

Safari Drive

There over 300 rare and exotic animals at Blair Drummond Safari Park. You can drive your own car through the animal reserves and get up close to camels, rhinos, deer, antelopes and a pride of lions. Keep an eye out for the troop of monkeys in the Safari Park's famous Macaque Drive-Thru. And don't forget to close your windows!

Adventure Play

Burn off some energy in the popular play park which is home to a giant play fort, a pirate ship, swings and a sandpit. Have a go on the pedal boats, astroglide, and go-karts - all of which are included in your entry price.

California Cove

Blair Drummond's sea lions are finally back and enjoying their brand new habitat, California Cove.   The indoor sea lion display won’t restart until later in the year, but you will be able to see them in their outdoor pool and find out more about their care in live training demonstrations, which take place twice a day.

Meerkat Mansions

Visitors can now view the meerkats in a new indoor habitat, with floor-to-ceiling glass viewing areas. This new indoor space is also fully wheelchair accessible, so everyone can enjoy all the cheeky antics of the meerkats. And with much more room to play, dig and show off, there's plenty to see.

Meet the Dinosaurs

The dinosaur exhibit has over 20 life size dinosaurs, including velociraptors, triceratops, stegosaurus, flying pteranodon and an oviraptor with eggs. The largest dinosaur is a 21m diplodocus, and the most fearsome is the iconic T-Rex. ‘Dinosaurs at Blair Drummond’ is a permanent attraction which was opened in 2020. Entry is included in the price of admission.

A troop of free-roaming lemurs live at the Safari Park. You can walk with them through the trees, as they play above you. But watch out, lemurs are very curious creatures and like to say hello!

Bird of Prey Presentation

Catch one of the spectacular outdoor birds of prey flying demonstrations which take place three times a day.

Animal Talks

Want to find out more about your favourite animals?  Come and meet the education team at interactive animal talks throughout the day.

Accessibility

The Safari Park has excellent access for wheelchairs, prams and buggies. There are baby changing facilities, ample disabled parking spots and a 'Changing Places' toilet.

Online ticket sales only:  Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park 

Are you a social animal?  Follow the Safari Park on Facebook and keep up-to-date with the news, competitions and special offers.  

Blair Drummond Safari Park has received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.

Transport and Parking

• On Public Transport Route
• Electric Car Charging
• Coach Parking
• Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
• Wheelchair access throughout
• Accessible toilets
• Wheelchairs or mobility aids provided
• Suitable for visitors with limited mobility

Dietary Options

• Gluten Free
• Vegan Meals Available
• Vegetarian Meals available
• Children's Menu Available
• Outdoor Play Area
• Baby Changing Facilities
• Public Toilet Facilities
• Picnic Area

Payment Methods

• Credit Card

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Blair Drummond Safari Park Visitor Guide

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park in Stirlingshire is Scotland’s only safari park. This family-friendly attraction is home to over 350 animals, many of which are free to roam the 120-acre estate. Visitors can enjoy a drive through several enclosures before entering a large animal-themed adventure park that features a zoo, fun-fair rides, restaurants and cafes, and play parks.

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, located near Stirling, is the only safari park in Scotland, and it’s also one of the country’s busiest tourist attractions. Covering more than 120 acres, the park contains several enclosures that are home to a variety of animals, mainly from Africa and Asia, along with a few inhabitants from closer to home.

Visitors can drive through each reserve in their car and get some great close-up views of the free-roaming animals before heading into the adventure park on foot. Once inside the park, there are lots of attractions to keep visitors entertained such as Lemur Land, Chimp Island, the bird of prey habitat, and Pets Farm, to name a few.

Other attractions include fairground rides and amusements, a pirate ship and adventure fort, as well as a boat safari, pedal boats, dodgems, a rollercoaster, and a carousel. Meanwhile, food and drink are catered for with a restaurant and several snack outlets.

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park also has a more serious side as it’s involved with conservation initiatives like the Giraffe Conservation Foundation  and the AfriCat Foundation . In addition, the park’s education team regularly gives talks on the elephants, tigers, rhinos, and other animals they care for.

The Highlights

1: Drummond Safari Park provides a unique opportunity to see a wide range of animals in drive-through reserves and walk-around areas. Visitors can enjoy close-up views of exotic species like lions, rhinos, giraffes, and elephants, all from the safety and comfort of their own vehicles.

2: The park isn’t just about animal viewing; it also offers adventure and play areas designed for children. These include outdoor playgrounds, a giant astraglide slide, pedal boats, and a flying fox zip wire.

1: The park participates in breeding programmes for endangered species and works with various conservation projects. Visitors can learn about these efforts and gain insight into the importance of preserving our natural world through educational talks and interactive displays.

Visiting Tips

1: Since many activities are outdoors, the weather can impact your experience. Dress appropriately and consider taking waterproof clothing or sunscreen, depending on the conditions.

2: To avoid lines and potentially save money, purchase your tickets online before your visit. This can also help you take advantage of online discounts or special offers.

3: The park can get busy, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Arriving early not only helps you beat the crowds but also gives you a full day to explore without feeling rushed.

Tourist Information

There are a huge number of activities for families to enjoy during their visit to Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, although the highlight has to be driving through the reserves to get up close and personal with the animals on display. There are four main reserves to drive through, and each one showcases animals from various parts of the world in habitats that have been designed to be as close as possible to their own natural environments.

The African reserve features non-carnivorous native African species like zebras and white rhinoceros, while the lion reserve is home to a pride of African lions. The lion reserve, in particular, is a great enclosure as it features a raised walkway that can be accessed on foot from inside the park, so you can get a different perspective on the lions once you’ve finished the drive-through safari.

The other two reserves are the Monkey Jungle, which houses a troop of Barbary macaques, and the Asian Reserve, which contains herbivores native to Asia such as deer and camels. All the reserves are well-maintained, and the animals appear to be very happy in their habitats, which is great to see.

Once you’ve finished the safari, it’s time to leave the car behind and set out on foot into the adventure park where you’ll discover various enclosures that are more like the ones you’d find in a zoo. In this area, visitors will see African elephants, rhinos, and giraffes alongside great apes on Chimp Island and ring-tailed lemurs in Lemur Land.

Next to Lemur Land is a lake that you can explore on a pedal boat, but if you prefer a more leisurely cruise you can take a ride on the boat safari which sails around Chimp Island. I highly recommend taking the boat trip as it’s a great way to see the park’s troop of chimpanzees foraging about in the undergrowth.

If you have children and they’re not too exhausted after seeing all the animals, you can take them to a couple of other areas to burn off their remaining energy. First is an enormous wooden fort that has a bird’s nest and slides, and second is a pirate ship that can be found inside a giant sandpit.

Both play parks have picnic benches and BBQ areas nearby, or you can use the on-site restaurant and cafe. There’s also an outside dining area that allows parents to keep watch while the kids are having fun.

Things to Do

Safari Drive-Thru : Embark on an exciting self-drive safari to see zebras, ostriches, bison, and monkeys roam free in the park. Don’t forget to make sure all your windows are closed as you drive, and if you have a convertible, make sure the roof is up before you enter the lion enclosure!

Keeper Talks : The team at Blair Drummond Safari Park holds daily talks about the most popular animals, including what they like to eat, where they come from, and how they manage to survive in the challenging conditions of the modern world. Conservation is a key aspect of the talks, but they’re also fun and engaging for children.

Sea Lion Show: Enjoy the clever California sea lions’ daily live training demonstrations as they display their agility skills. The keepers also provide insightful commentary about the natural behaviours of these animals in a show that’s easily one of the most popular in the entire park.

Bird of Prey Centre : See an incredible collection of eagles, hawks, and owls at the Bird of Prey Centre. The daily flying demonstrations are a must-see, as you can watch these magnificent creatures soar through the sky and learn about their crucial role in the ecosystem.

Adventure Playground : The park’s adventure playground is a fun-filled area with a fortress, pirate ship, and giant slides. Kids can burn off energy while parents relax in a nearby seating area with a coffee in hand, knowing their children are in a safe and secure environment. The playground is designed to be inclusive, so children of all abilities can enjoy it.

Things to Do Nearby

Doune Castle . Castle Hill, Doune, FK16 6EA. 10-minute drive. A mediaeval castle with one of the largest curtain walls in Scotland. Doune Castle is located near the River Teith in the historic village of Doune. It is famous for being the filming site for Monty Python, Outlander, and Game of Thrones.

Stirling Castle . Upper Castlehill, Stirling, FK8 1EN. 11-minute drive. One of the largest castles in Scotland and second only to Edinburgh Castle in importance, this 12th-century fortification was the original seat of power for the nation’s royalty. Today, it offers tourists permanent exhibitions, renovated rooms complete with period furniture and paintings, a café, and a shop.

Deanston Distillery . Teith Rd., Deanston, Doune, FK16 6AG. 6-minute drive. Located in a former cotton mill, this distillery on the banks of the River Teith offers guided whisky tours, tasting experiences, a shop, and a café.

Briarlands Farm . Blair Drummond, Stirling FK9 4UP. 2-minute drive. A farm-themed zoo is situated behind the safari park. This family-friendly attraction features a petting zoo, go-karting, a field maze, berry picking, play parks, and tractor rides.

River Teith . 10-minute drive. This picturesque river is the setting for lots of relaxing walks along its banks, which can be visited from almost any point along its length. The river is renowned both for its fishing and for the arched bridge that crosses it half a mile southwest of Doune village.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go to blair drummond safari park without a car.

Blair Drummond Safari Park features a drive-through safari that makes it very convenient for visitors with cars. However, it’s not strictly necessary to have a car to visit, as a large part of it can be walked around. The closest major town is Stirling, from which you can take a taxi or a local bus service. Note that some attractions within the park, like the drive-through safari, are designed only for motor vehicles.

How long does Blair Drummond Safari Park take?

The drive through the safari park takes around 30 minutes. The theme park area can take an hour to an entire day, depending on how much time is spent at each attraction and animal enclosure.

Do you need a car for Blair Drummond Safari Park?

A car is required for the safari park drive. Public transportation is available for accessing the theme park area on foot (buses #59, 160, and S60, X10A stop at the entrance).

Is Blair Drummond open all year?

Blair Drummond Safari Park is a seasonal attraction and is open from spring to autumn only, from mid-March onwards.

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Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

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Date selection [Day Tickets] - Blair Drummond Safari Park

Blair Drummond Safari Park

Please select date and arrival time below, early entry is not permitted. The park is open from 10am - 5:30pm daily until the 26th October, and then 10am - 4:30pm on the 27th-31st October.

Please make one booking per vehicle arriving at the park where possible. Pets are not permitted inside the Safari Park, basic kennel facilities are available at the entrance, further information here

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Blair Drummond Safari Park | Review & Tips

Blair Drummond Safari Park | Drive Through Area 

Blair Drummond Safari Park | Walk Through Sections 

The following sections are all included with admission and available to visit an unlimited number of times across the day at no additional cost (minus any food/drink purchases).  During the day of our visit, Scotland was still living under some Coronavirus restrictions and the boat trips to chimp island were not in operation. I expect these would be fantastic so fingers crossed they return soon. Instead, there is a walkway where you can view the island. Even with our binoculars, we didn't get the best view of the chimps but I guess it is the luck of the draw. 

One of the real selling points of Blair Drummond is this huge play fort. There is also a pirate ship play area and a fairly forest in the same area. Plenty of seating for adults (or some brought a picnic blanket) and like us, it is a brill place to let the kids burn some energy after lunch. Obviously, our kids are older but I imagine with toddlers trying to keep an eye on them in here might be a bit of a nightmare. Fun though!  There are lots of swings and slides, a giant astro-glide slide and zip wire. You can see the food court overlooking the pirate ship below. 

Top Tips for Visiting Blair Drummond Safari Park 

• Pre-book tickets online and google for discount deals before you visit as there are often offers available
• Complete the drive through section on arrival and then again as you leave - get your money's worth 
• Bring a picnic/food for the BBQ which are free to hire. The car park is very accessible and easy to reach from the main park 
• There is an undercover seating area and buggy store (although the park is pushchair friendly)
• You are given a map on arrival with a suggested route. We followed this and it worked well / we didn't miss anything 
• Agree a budget for rides before you visit (or agree that rides are not park of the day). I suggest £5.
• Don't miss the birds of prey show - check times on arrival and get there around 15 minutes before it starts
• The park has free WiFi 
• Keep your windows up when driving through the safari area and follow the safety guidance 
• During the summer months, the park is open late and closes at 7/9pm on some evenings. There is no need to rush around
• We spent 6/7 hours there but could have spent longer - especially if we visited the fairground, let the kids play on the fort for longer and completed the drive through more than once 
• Check out the suggested accommodation options here . You can camp/glamp/take your caravan to nearby Blair Drummond Safari Park and book multi-entry tickets from the site reception
• The closest Premier Inn is (affiliate ad) Premier Inn Stirling South  which has 5* reviews, left luggage facilities, free on site parking and is a 12 minute drive away
• If you'd like to make a weekend of it, I recommend combining a visit with the Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies, Glasgow Science Museum/Open Top Bus Tour or Stirling Castle. All fantastic attractions! 

Find out more and book here. 

Overall, we did enjoy our day at Blair Drummond. It has a nice range of activities on offer and it is the kind of place you can spend a full day. Personally, I would visit if I was in the area but probably wouldn't make a special day trip unless it was part of a longer break. I would also keep an eye on the on-going whistle blowing / animal welfare situation and news before deciding on if we should visit again.  Check out our other zoo reviews below: 

• Tips for visiting Chester Zoo from Newcastle 
• Chester Zoo and Blackpool Tower Bus Trip 
• 10 UK Zoos where you can stay overnight 
• West Midlands Safari Park 
• Twycross Zoo 
• Blackpool Zoo 
• Edinburgh Zoo 

Hiya. I enjoyed reading your reviews on the Drummond Safari and I intend to go with family. Does a ticket cover all the passengers in the car?

the safari park blair drummond

Watch CBS News

West Virginia senator charged with indecent exposure

August 14, 2024 / 2:30 PM EDT / CBS/AP

GLEN DALE, W. Va. (KDKA/AP) -- After he was charged with indecent exposure and disorderly conduct, the chair of a key West Virginia state legislative committee was removed from his position by chamber leadership Wednesday.

Republican Sen. Mike Maroney, who led the state Senate Health and Human Resources Committee, was arrested Tuesday on the two misdemeanors after an Aug. 4 incident at Gumby's Cigarette & Beer World in Glen Dale, a little over an hour from Pittsburgh. 

Marshall County Prosecuting Attorney Joe Canestraro said employees on surveillance video allegedly saw Maroney "committing an act of sexual gratification" about 1 p.m. in the establishment's video lottery room. Maroney was the only person in the room at the time, according to Canestraro.

The Gumby's employees then called the Glen Dale Police Department.

Maroney, who has served in the state senate since 2016, didn't immediately respond to an email request for comment Wednesday. He was arraigned and released on a $3,000 personal recognizance bond Tuesday night, CBS affiliate WTRF reported . A court date hasn't been set. 

Maroney stripped of committee responsibilities 

Senate President Craig Blair, a Republican, said he was stripping Maroney of his title as Health and Human Resources chair and all other committee responsibilities "to give him appropriate time to dedicate to his personal issues."

In a statement, Blair said he is "deeply concerned" about the well-being of Maroney, whom Blair referred to as a friend.

"The facts that have emerged are troubling, and I am disappointed," Blair said, adding later: "While the charges are still under investigation, if true, this allegation is obviously not up to the standard of what we expect from our elected leaders in the State Senate of West Virginia."

Maroney, 56, has only a few months left to serve of his second four-year term as a state senator. He ran for reelection but was defeated in the May primary by challenger Chris Rose, a utility company electrician and former coal miner.

Maroney's loss came after he publicly advocated against a bill pushed by the Republican caucus that would have allowed some students who don't attend traditional public institutions or participate in group extracurriculars like sports to be exempt from vaccinations  typically required for children starting day care or school.

West Virginia is one of only a handful of states in the U.S. that offers only medical exemptions to vaccine requirements. Maroney, a radiologist from Marshall County, called the bill "an embarrassment" on the Senate floor and said he believed lawmakers were harming the state.

During the debate about this year's vaccine bill, which was ultimately vetoed by Republican Gov. Jim Justice, Maroney said: "I took an oath to do no harm. There's zero chance I can vote for this bill."

Maroney also lost favor with some Republicans last year when he spoke against a total ban on medical interventions for transgender adolescents , like puberty blockers and hormone therapy. During one meeting of his committee, he told fellow lawmakers he believed it was wrong for a group of "mostly medically uneducated people" to pass laws that would prohibit proven medical treatments.

Maroney likened banning hormone therapy to barring the use of drugs to treat mental health disorders and cancer.

If found guilty of disorderly conduct, Maroney could face a penalty of 24 hours in jail, up to a $100 fine, or both. For indecent exposure, he could face up to a year in jail, $500 in fines, or both.

• West Virginia

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