HRH The Princess Royal plants a tree to celebrate the creation of Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre

HRH The Princess Royal visited the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Highland Wildlife Park last week to commemorate the park’s 50th anniversary and plant a tree on one of the soon-to-be sites of Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre. 

In a landscape where native woodlands have been expanded and habitats for endangered species enhanced, the wildlife conservation charity’s royal patron learned more about the centre and its hubs, which will expand RZSS outreach and activity programmes and offer dedicated learning and event spaces. 

As well as connecting and engaging visitors, school pupils, local communities and groups typically under-represented in the heritage with Scotland's wildlife, the new discovery, learning and conservation hubs will be flagships for green building design, with locally sourced materials, renewable energy and efficient water technology. 

David Field, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland CEO, said, “It is wonderful to be able to welcome HRH The Princess Royal, our royal patron, to the park to celebrate our charity’s history and share our exciting plans for Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre and our native species conservation projects. 

“So much has happened over the past five decades, from polar bear cub births to pine hoverfly releases, and there is even more to come. With the support of our community, we have an incredible future ahead of us. 

“Our aim is to create a truly special, world class experience which will play a pivotal role in inspiring more children, young people and local communities to protect and connect with nature and wildlife.” 

Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre will cost £5.6 million in total and is supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund along with intentions to award from the Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund, led by NatureScot and supported by the European Development Fund (ERDF), and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, as well as players of People's Postcode Lottery and SSE Renewables.