A bear-ry merry Christmas in Badenoch!
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Brodie, the beautiful Highland Wildlife Park polar bear, is two years old this month and fancied a proper birthday party with some dear old friends – and it’s happening!
“He got together with his brother Hamish, who popped up from Yorkshire to organise a birthday bash with some of their pals,” explained Ian Ash, of Kincraig Community Council.
“They decided to have it around the festive season in our village and the wildlife park thoroughly endorsed the idea.”
Bears have been arriving from darkest Peru, ranger infested Jellystone Park, the Dragon Warrior Kingdom of China and magical Nutwood.
Other bears have had to get out of work commitments.
So, the Muppets are looking for a new drummer, King Louie fancies his chances in the Jungle, honey might be in short supply across the country and Sweep will clean up!
One bear will be looking forward to a break after a very busy November helping children across the country, while who knows what the superheroes have been up to?
“Many have never been to Scotland before so we need to give them a special Scottish Welcome,” said Ian.
“Why not come along to Kincraig, follow the trail around the village and meet all of Brodie’s friends as they celebrate his birthday?
“Zap the QR code at any point on the trail. It starts at the Baldow Estate but it might be easier to park at the village hall.
“If you find them all you will get a certificate and have the chance to win a family pass for the wildlife park. Then you can come and see Brodie with his mum and dad. Walker too! Good luck.”
Jess Wise, the park’s discovery and learning programme manager, told the Strathy: “The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is delighted to be supporting the trail of small, lit-up bears named after Hamish, the first polar bear cub born at the park in 2017.”
The trail – with bears beautifully kitted out by local stitchers Susan Libeks, Jennifer Taylor, Fiona McPherson, Wendy Welding and Maria Thomson – runs until January 3.
Families can access the collection sheet via the QR code on posters in the village. Once complete, the sheets can be submitted for the chance for the free family ticket.
