Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park — Attraction in Scotland

Blair Drummond Safari Park is hands down one of the most incredible days out I’ve ever had in Scotland, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. From the moment we drove through the gates, it felt like stepping into a whole new world full of adventure, excitement, and unforgettable experiences.

The safari drive-through was absolutely brilliant. Being able to see such a wide range of animals roaming in large open spaces instead of tiny enclosures was amazing. Lions lounging in the sun, rhinos grazing peacefully, zebras trotting by – it honestly felt like being on a real safari.

The kids were completely blown away, and even as an adult I couldn’t help but feel just as thrilled. There’s something so special about being able to sit in your car and have giraffes, camels, and antelope so close by.

But the drive-through is just the beginning. The rest of the park is packed with so much to see and do that you could easily spend an entire day here and still feel like there’s more left to explore. The chimpanzee island was a highlight – the way the park has set it up really allows you to watch the chimps climbing, swinging, and interacting naturally, which is both fascinating and heartwarming.

The sea lion presentations were full of energy and fun, perfectly balanced between entertainment and education, and the bird of prey demonstrations were spectacular, showing off the incredible skills of these majestic animals.

There’s also an excellent petting farm and play areas for kids, which made it a perfect family-friendly day out. The playground is huge and so well designed that the children could have spent hours there alone. For those who love rides, the amusement area is another bonus – small rides, face painting, and plenty of chances for treats like ice cream and candy floss. It really does cater to every age group.

What stood out the most, though, was how well-kept and clean the park is, and how much care clearly goes into looking after the animals. Every enclosure looked thoughtfully designed to make the animals comfortable, and the staff were knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about what they do. You can tell this isn’t just a tourist attraction – it’s a place where conservation, education, and animal welfare really matter.

Food options were also great, with plenty of choice whether you want a sit-down meal, a quick snack, or to bring your own picnic. There are loads of lovely picnic spots, and the atmosphere throughout the park is relaxed and welcoming. Blair Drummond isn’t just a safari park – it’s a full day of adventure, learning, and fun for all ages.

Whether you’re an animal lover, a parent looking for a fantastic family day out, or just someone who wants to experience something unique in Scotland, this is the place to go. I would give it more than five stars if I could. It’s the kind of place you’ll remember long after your visit, and one you’ll want to return to...

Welcome to Blair Drummond, a place where the "car park safari" is a more accurate description than "safari park." It’s an experience where you’re more likely to see a Jaguar, Puma, or Mustang car in action than you are to see an actual animal in motion. Let's be honest: what this park offers feels less like a wildlife adventure and more like a frustrating traffic jam with some animals on the side.

We've visited many zoos and safari parks in our time, but Blair Drummond struggles to live up to even basic expectations. The park layout is a maze of confusing paths and dead ends that seem designed to tire you out rather than guide you. After an hour of walking in circles, you'll inevitably find yourself back at the same snack stand you started at, questioning your life choices.

The animals themselves aren't particularly special, and most appear quite listless. The zebras look perpetually bored, the lions seem to prioritize napping over anything else, and the most activity you'll likely witness is a monkey making a half-hearted attempt to steal a piece of fruit. For the price of entry, the experience feels underwhelming. The "attractions" are either bizarre or uninspired, and they come with a hefty price tag that just doesn't feel justified. A standout "feature" of the park is the barbecues you can rent. You might actually find more activity and life in the sizzling charcoal than in the entire animal enclosure. It's an ironic detail in a park that otherwise lacks any sort of energy.

In terms of theming, educational value, visitor experience, and animal welfare, Blair Drummond falls short. The enclosures are often uninspired, and there's little to no educational effort to engage visitors. It's a missed opportunity to connect people with wildlife in a meaningful way.

To truly thrive and remain profitable, the park needs a serious re-evaluation of its priorities. They need to rethink the entire visitor journey, from the layout to the animal care. Otherwise, it will continue to feel less like a safari and more like a very long and expensive trip to a...

April 2025 The whole park is pretty good for a day out especially with family and younger children. There are plenty exhibits and animals to see and very easy to spend a full day here however with the current improvements going on, it might be worth delaying a trip here. The recent addition of the train which I believe was built rather than repairing the boats. Unlike the boats, the train costs £1.50 to ride and requires queuing for which can mean waiting for 5-15 minutes. Make sure your children are prepared to wait in a line only to ride a train that views the dirt mounts with randomly planted tulips. This does pass the cows and the apes both of which are not the easiest animals to spot due to the size of the enclosure and to be honest with the sound of the train, I dont blame them for staying away. There is the ongoing construction of the new lion view point along with scenery surrounding the tracks and the tiger view point. This is still very much in early days so to make up for the large boards there are mural selfie points with a big safety sign on them so as long as you're good at editing then expect to cut out part of the murals in the photos. Not all so bad however, the park does offer an incredible play park for children with a massive sand pit which was brilliant for the warm weather. However with the weather being so good, parking was incredibly overcrowded and resulted in people blocking other cars in. If you're considering the annual pass, may be best to hold off till the new view points are complete. Also good to note the 10% discount this has in stores, on food and even on the train (a whole 15p discount). All in all, the park is still worth a visit if you haven't been before and the animal talks from the staff throughout the day are very informative for both adults and children. Would still recommend as a one of visit and despite the ongoing work, there is still ample exhibits to view that are complete. Just be aware some animals are a little harder to see with the...