Blair Drummonds new lion encounter

Heart Radio presenters Adele Cunningham and David Farrell officially open new lion house at Blair Drummond Safari Park and launch ‘Breakfast with the Lions’ experience.

Have you got the Heart of a lion? Well, that might be required for Blair Drummond Safari Park’s new up-close encounter as they officially open their brand-new lion house today, with Heart Scotland presenters Adele Cunningham and David Farell cutting the ribbon in a special ceremony.

The opening marks a major milestone for the park, which has been home to lions since 1970. The new facility introduces, for the first time, a reinforced glass window looking directly into the lions’ den, offering guests an unprecedented close-up view of one of the park’s most iconic species.

After officially opening the new lion house, Heart Scotland's radio presenters were among the first to experience “Breakfast with the Lions” for themselves - swapping the studio for the safari park and getting closer to the lions than most people ever will, with an up-close tong-feeding experience.

The VIP viewing room is a key feature of the “Breakfast with the Lions” experience. Styled to resemble a luxury safari tent, it features two large, reinforced glass windows - one looking directly into the lions’ den and the other overlooking the outdoor reserve - placing guests just feet away from the animals while they enjoy breakfast.

The new lion house has been designed with animal welfare at its core. Significantly larger than the park’s previous lion building, it provides improved flexibility for managing the pride, including the ability to safely mix and separate individuals when required. It also supports ongoing health training, allowing keepers to continue essential veterinary care such as dental checks and medication delivery in a calm, positive environment.

 

Hector Muir, Managing Director at Blair Drummond Safari Park, said:

"Lions have been at the heart of Blair Drummond Safari Park for more than 50 years, so opening a brand-new lion house is a hugely important moment for us. The “Breakfast with the Lions” experience gives guests the rare opportunity to feed the lions under keeper supervision while learning about their care, training and enrichment as part of their daily routine.

When we started planning the launch, we thought if anyone should be first in line to try this unforgettable experience, it should be someone with real Heart and who so many of us spend those meals with. Thankfully, Adele and David agreed. They've helped us mark a really important milestone for the park and launch what we think is one of the most unique wildlife experiences in Scotland."

The opening of the new lion house reflects Blair Drummond Safari Park's continued commitment to high welfare standards, conservation education and creating meaningful connections between people and wildlife. After more than five decades of lions being part of the park's story, this marks an exciting new chapter.