Which zoo in SW Scotland?

[zunkus]

I'd like to take the kids to a zoo preferably in SW of Scotland but willing to travel should anything worthwhile pops up. Can someone help with this. Also would like some help as to what I shouldn't miss on my visit. I'll be spending a week near the Fort William area. Kids would like to climb Glencoe so that's one day for that. I was thinking of visiting a theme park with a roller coaster, that's the wife's wish to get the adrenalin rush, no wonder she likes to ride pillion. I wouldn't ride that for a thousand pounds. Well any help with sites etc would be grateful. The kids are 14, 16 and 19.

[kitkat]

edinburgh zoo is good. sea life centre at oban is alright. theme parks in scotland for older kids - nope.

http://www.activitypoint.co.uk/

[zunkus]

Thanks KitKat. Edinburgh zoo looks great. I've noted that one down. So there's no rollercoasters for the missus?

[Tiger 55]

Kids would like to climb Glencoe
They wont need crampons, Glencoe is a valley! Maybe they could climb Ben Nevis instead...

On the roller coaster front there's Tornado, Mine Train, Tsunami and The Express all at M&Ds (http://www.scotlandsthemepark.com/ridesattractions/thrillrides/rollercoasters.html) in Strathclyde Park near Motherwell. It's Coaster Town, North Lanarkshire I tell you! Then there's The Rat and Twist & Shout at Loudon Castle (http://www.loudouncastlevaults.co.uk/rollercoasters.html). Just watch out for neds.

And +1 on Edinburgh Zoo.

Have fun!

[TEC]

There's also Blair Drummond (http://www.blairdrummond.com/) safari park, bit closer (though not that much) to Fort William which is considered to be (mid to) NW Scotland ;)

[zunkus]

Sorry Tiger, I did mean Ben Nevis. Thanks for the great info. I'll check these out in google and google earth for distances.

[Camel]

+1 for Edinburgh Zoo!

[gettin2dizzy]

I thought Scotland WAS a zoo??! ;)

[Tiger 55]

Sorry Tiger, I did mean Ben Nevis. Thanks for the great info. I'll check these out in google and google earth for distances.
An apology is most definitely not required old boy, just enjoy yourself and be aware the weather can change on the Ben like that [snaps fingers].

And don't worry too much about the distances involved, it's all quite close to the place you're renting a bike (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=107036) from...

[appollo1]

+1 for Edinburgh zoo and it's on a hill as well so you can get some extra hiking in!!!

[zunkus]

So the list up to now is...
Zoo --------------------------------- Edinburgh Zoo (EH12 6TS)
Quad biking, paintball, river rafting ---- Highland Activities (PH31 4AR)
Roller coaster ------------------------ M&D's Theme Park (ML1 3RT)

My brother Simon told me he heard from someone who heard from someone that you can take a boat to go see whales. Is that true? Where is this?

Also if you think that I should not miss a place whilst on holiday here please let me know. I'm still looking :) Thanks for your help guys.

[zunkus]

...and don't worry too much about the distances involved, it's all quite close to the place you're renting a bike (http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=107036) from...

I'm sort of feeling guilty leaving the family by themselves and me wandering off on a bike while we're on holiday so I'm still keeping that one under the carpet for now. Maybe if the rest of the bunch spend the day doing something that's not my sort...


...but that's very improbable.

[TEC]

So the list up to now is...
Zoo --------------------------------- Edinburgh Zoo (EH12 6TS)
Quad biking, paintball, river rafting ---- Highland Activities (PH31 4AR)
Roller coaster ------------------------ M&D's Theme Park (ML1 3RT)

Sorry but where exactly are you staying or are you moving about? The reason I ask is Fort William to Edinburgh is not just a day out, its only 130 odd miles by the most direct route, do-able not not going to be very quick if in a cage.

My brother Simon told me he heard from someone who heard from someone that you can take a boat to go see whales. Is that true? Where is this?
There are a few places on the west coast, Oban (http://www.sealife-adventures.com/), Isle of Mull (http://www.whalewatchingtrips.co.uk/) & Ardnamurchan (http://www.west-scotland-marine.com/Whale-Watching.html) to name just three but again that really would depend on time of year and where you're staying