Family Friendly Animal Experiences in Scotland – Highland Cattle, Shetland Ponies, Alpaca, Deer & Reindeer
Animals Experiences Scotland – Scotland is known for its animals and wildlife but catching a glimpse of them is very different to spending time up close. We’ve pulled together some key experiences that allow you to ‘meet the animals’ in a unique and special way. [Features some historic press trips and affiliate links.]
Husky Heaven – Animals Experiences Scotland
Mush! Take off on a high-octane husky sled rides at Stonehaven’s Huskyhaven. This is seasonal only as temperatures must drop below 12 degrees before the huskies run. Book between September through to May (if it’s cold enough). Choose your Siberian Huskie package, starting from a one hour 3.5km trail at £55 per person.
Discover more things to do in Stonehaven here…
Highland Cattle – Animals Experiences Scotland
Tourists and Scots alike love a Highland Cow. To learn more about these hardy free range beasts head to Aberdeenshire Highland Cattle near Banchory in Royal Deeside. Farmer Grace welcomes you onto her working farm and shares a wealth of information about these mighty animals, you even get to groom them, as farmers would before a show. Read a full review here. [Children pay the same entry fee as adults.]
Discover more things to do in Banchory here…
Shetland Pony – Animals Experiences Scotland
These small but mighty beasts can be spotted grazing across the Shetland isles, but drive to the island of Burra to meet them up close and personal at the Shetland Pony Experience. Guests meet foals in the field, guide a pony around an obstacle course and then take a wonderfully scenic walk down to the beach for photo opportunities. Little ones, if they’re small enough, can even ride a pony. Discover more here.
Find more things to do on Shetland here…
Reindeer
Nip to Aviemore to meet the UK’s only free range reindeer herd. It’s possible to undertake a hill walk to approach the animals in their natural habitat. Or, for little legs, get really close to the reindeer in their paddocks. The reindeer come down from the hills to the paddocks for 2-3 weeks at a time, so it’s possible to learn so much about them, from antler shedding and rutting, to the fact they don’t have top front teeth! Get more info here. This experience feels so festive in the run up to Christmas!
Alpaca – Animals Experiences Scotland
We headed to Balmichael Farm to meet some furry friends. Nine alpaca live at this farm on the west coast of Arran. Visitors can book a 60 or 90 minute experience with them, and our children were free (see prices below). There’s also ‘Playtime with the Alpacas’ for really little ones.
Our 60 Minute experience started with farmer Tom talking about the animals and answering lots of questions from curious children. You will learn a LOT of random alpaca facts, and a little about each individual animal and its personality. Dougal is the lead alpaca, but me and Mr Tot were assigned beautiful Lomond, and Mr Husband and Junior were allocated Wallace. After a quick health and safety chat, you walk your alpaca around the farm. Each alpaca is allocated a bag of treats to feed your animal en route, returning to the paddock where there’s the chance to take some family photos.
Discover more things to do on Arran here…
End the experience with a cup of tea/coffee/squash (included in the price), and you can buy some sweets and treats from the tuck shop. Prices were £17 per person (aged 8 and over) who will trek an alpaca. FREE for under 8s who can help hold the rein with a paying adult (shared alpaca). Balmichael also offers glamping pods for those who don’t want to leave!
Lambs – Animals Experiences Scotland
Rent a shepherds hut for a very comfortable night of glamping at Craigduckie Farm near Dunfermline, then march up the track to spend time with the lambs. The farmer, Katie, and her two boys, give you an informal tour, let you ask all the questions you want, bottlefeed the lambs, muck them out and even attend a birth if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. Obviously this is seasonal so book for Spring! Read all about it here. [Lambing experience currently only available to glamping guests.]
Discover more thing to do in Fife
Red Deer
Highland Safari
In Aberfeldy, Perthshire we booked tickets for the red deer and barn owl experience at Highland Safari. We were able to hand feed the deer, ask questions, and learn more about their life and lifestyle – did you know that female red deer eat discarded antlers, especially whilst pregnant, to enrich their diet with calcium and nutrients? Random fact! Getting close to a snowy white barn owl and watching its silent flight was also memorable. Get the lowdown here.
Scottish Deer Centre
Another option is the Scottish Deer Centre in Fife. This outdoor attraction was a real hit – we spent hours there on a bright winter’s day. There are so many different type of deer to meet and feed (bags of feed cost £2.50), from iconic Red deer, to Santa’s reindeer and (my personal favourite) the gorgeous Pere David’s Deer with their velvety soft antlers.
Visitors can also potentially spot quite exciting animals that used to wander in the wilds of Scotland, such as wolves, European brown bears and Highland Cattle, as well as otters, birds of prey and Scottish wildcats. There are several play areas, both inside and out, with highlights being the outdoor bouncing pillow and a vast play house and playground. It’s possible to pick up crepes from the Crepe Shack and sit at outdoor picnic tables (service can take a while, as they’re made from scratch). £35.00 for a family ticket, plus extra for feed.
Discover more things to do in Fife here…
Introducing my children to these beautiful animals was a real pleasure. It was a great way to get the kids outside, I learned far more than I expected, and the wee ones were full of chat and memories at the end of it all.
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