Badenoch MSP welcomes return date for Highland Wildlife Park
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Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes has welcomed confirmation that the Highland Wildlife Park by Kincraig will be able to re-open later this month.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced at Holyrood yesterday that the country was moving onto Phase 2 of restrictions being lifted for Covid-19.
As part of that zoos, garden attractions, outdoor markets, playgrounds and sports facilities will reopen in Scotland from June 29 although visitors should not travel more than five miles from their homes and tickets should be bought in advance.
Ms Forbes said: “I am delighted that the Highland Wildlife Park will be able to reopen later this month.
“I had a constructive meeting with David Field, the new chief executive, earlier this week and I know they will be thrilled to welcome visitors from the local area back – and hopefully from further afield in the not too distant future.
“During this week’s meeting it was also clear that the Highland Wildlife Park staff had given a lot of thought to sensible measures around safe social distancing.
“I am also pleased that the Scottish Government has announced new £2.6 million emergency funding for the country’s zoos and aquariums.”
Park owners Royal Zoological Society of Scotland had been lobbying to re-open the attraction and Edinburgh Zoo prior to the July 15 date which had been set for the re-opening of Scottish tourism by the government last week.
The charity had estimated it would cost them a further £500,000 if they missed the start of July on top of the £5m in government coronavirus loans already taken out.
