Day 20 - Aviemore

6 August 2014

Accommodation - Alvie Estate

Weather – bleak, raining but fine evening

Temperature – mid teens

The weather forecast did not predict a good day – see how weather focused we have become?  Well, it lived up to its promise as throughout the day it continued to be very overcast, with patches of heavy rain and general miserable drizzle.

Today’s adventure took us to the Highland Wildlife Park just south of Aviemore.   As it is a wildlife park we were able to drive our car past bison, deer, camels and many other animals which we couldn’t identify even with the information sheet!  Fortunately, before we got too carried away we booked a four wheel drive tour with a guide who was able to enlighten us on the names of animals and the necessary information about their lifestyle.  The zoo particularly caters for animals which live at this level of cold and they’d need to pretty hardy as the temperature in Aviemore lowers to a very cold minus 20 degrees with lots of snow.

The park was opened in 1972 and, along with Edinburgh Zoo, is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.  It has many endangered species including the Amur Tiger (once known as the Siberian Tiger) and the Scottish Wildcat which looks exactly like a domestic cat but larger.  Other animals included the polar bears, wolves, wolverines, European elks and many birds.

Everywhere we go in Scotland we see signs warning us of deer crossing roads.  Well, we haven't seen any...until today.  Our guide showed us the 'apparently' common deer which breeds very well in these parts.  The deer were sitting in the middle of the park and they are known as the wildlife park's larder.....meat for the other beasts!

We drove past the European Bison which were shedding their winter coats.

The gorgeous little snow monkeys gobbled up the carrots very quickly.



We became wildlife groupies today following the attendants to the various feeding stations at each compound.  This filled in our whole day.  The rain drizzled and by the time it was lunch time we had to find a shelter to sit with our coffees, dripping coats and picnic sandwiches we’d made.  We certainly had set out with high hopes!

Feeding the polar bears........when a picture says a thousand words!

Baktrian Camels.... a few leaves and branches and they were happy!

This European deer had a fine old time...the weather was perfect for him.

 

My favourite...Kitty, the Red Panda.  Hubby Kevin was hiding as well as her newborn twins.



Yaks feeding as we drove past in the four wheel drive.



In the evening one of the cabins in our group of three cabins entertained everyone with a home cooked meal.  It was so lovely eating some home-made spaghetti bolognaise, green salads and also not have to drive anywhere to eat.

Ready for dinner wearing our clan tartans.

This meal was really appreciated by our large group.

 

By this time the weather had turned beautiful and we took many photos of the lovely skies over Aviemore Estate.

What a beautiful part of the world.....feeling very blessed indeed.