Edinburgh Zoo is one of the most important zoos in the United Kingdom and one of the best-loved attractions in Edinburgh. It spreads over the slopes of Corstorphine Hill, west of the centre, with more than 2,500 animals of rare and endangered species, from penguins to koalas, from chimpanzees to Sumatran tigers. It is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a charity committed to conservation and research. Among its most famous residents is a penguin who has been knighted.
History
The zoo was founded in 1913 by the lawyer Thomas Gillespie, who wanted to create a modern zoological park, with bar-free enclosures inspired by the German zoos of the time. In 1914 the first penguins arrived from the sub-Antarctic islands aboard a Norwegian whaling ship: Edinburgh was the first zoo in the world to keep and breed king penguins. The link with Norway continues today: since 1972 the Norwegian King's Guard has adopted one of the zoo's king penguins, Sir Nils Olav, who was knighted in 2008 and promoted to the rank of general in 2023. From 2011 to 2023 the zoo was home to the giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang, the only ones in the United Kingdom, who then returned to China.
- 1913Thomas Gillespie founds the zoo
- 1914The first penguins arrive from Norway
- 1972The Norwegian King's Guard adopts a penguin from the zoo
- 2008The penguin Sir Nils Olav is knighted
- 2011The giant pandas arrive, the only ones in the UK
- 2023The pandas return to China
What to see
The penguins
Penguins Rock, with a large pool where you can watch the penguins swimming underwater too, is home to the zoo's most famous colony: king, gentoo and rockhopper penguins. At certain times the Penguin Parade takes place, when the penguins, free to choose, leave their enclosure and stroll among the visitors; the parade is suspended when needed to protect the birds, for example during avian flu outbreaks.
The Budongo Trail
The Budongo Trail is one of the largest chimpanzee enclosures in Europe, with a multi-level indoor house and a spacious outdoor area. Here researchers study primate behaviour and communication, and visitors can watch the group dynamics.
The other animals
The zoo is home to koalas, which live in very few European zoos, Sumatran tigers, sun bears, painted dogs, lemurs, monkeys of many species and numerous birds and reptiles. From the top of the hill, in the Hilltop area, there is a fine view over Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth.
Conservation
The zoo takes part in international breeding programmes for endangered species and supports conservation projects in the wild, from protecting the beavers reintroduced to Scotland to research on chimpanzees in Uganda. Many panels explain how every visit contributes to these projects.
Practical information
The zoo is open every day of the year. It sits on a steep hill: a free little train, the Hilltop Safari, takes visitors to the top. Tickets are sold online, often at a lower price. Opening times, activities and prices are on the official website.
Getting there
- By bus: from the centre of Edinburgh on several city bus routes, in about 20 minutes.
- By air: Edinburgh Airport is about 15 minutes away.
Nearby
- Corstorphine Hill, with woodland paths and a viewing tower.
- Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden and the port of Leith.
- See also what to see in Edinburgh and day trips from Edinburgh.
Tips
- How long: half a day, a full day with children.
- When to go: all year round; on cold days the penguins are more active.
- A tip: take the little train to the top and then walk down visiting the enclosures: you will save yourself the climb.