Bad Hair Day?

After the exertions of yesterday opted for a gentler day around the sun-drenched Cairngorms today. Spent time catching up with the soap opera that has unfolded at RSPB Loch Garten this summer, and visited the Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie.

The HWP is part of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (I’ve been a member for years), and is used to showcase both Highland wildlife and other species that are better suited to a (usually) cooler Highland site than to the main site in Edinburgh.  This means that there are polar bears, Amur tiger, red panda etc as well as lynx, wolves and wildcat. 

When the park was first set up in the 70s (I can remember visiting it then), the idea was to showcase wildlife that would/could/should have been found in the Highlands.  

I’ve always been really taken by that idea - still am.  Given the emergence of the idea of rewilding, maybe it would be good to return to the idea of the HWP being a showcase for the species that might be found in a rewilded Scotland.


The lapwings, who happily ignore the fences, didn’t seem to mind the sunshine, but the elk (see the extra) seemed to be happier relaxing in the pool.

3823