Edinburgh Attractions

Venue: Edinburgh Zoo    When: Daily

Edinburgh is recognised as one of the world's leading zoos; it gives its animals the highest quality care, and in doing so provides its visitors with the best possible day out.

The zoo was opened in 1913 and is located in leafy surroundings just ten minutes from the city centre. As part of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, its mission is "to promote, through the presentation of our living collections, the conservation of animal species and wild places, through captive breeding, environmental education and scientific research."

If that all sounds a little solemn, what it means is that the zoo is devoted to conservation, the environment and taking care of its animals - and the happier the animals in a zoo are, the happier the kids will be to see them. Certainly kids (and adults!) will be amazed by some of the more exotic animals on display, such as the bright blue Poison Arrow Frogs, Golden Headed Lion Tamarins (not lions at all but very small monkeys), the sleek Snow Leopards (or Ounces), the family of Amur Tigers and a pair of very unusual-looking (and extremely rare) creatures - Babirusa Pigs, who must be seen to be believed!

Successes in recent years have been breeding giraffes and red pandas, while penguin feeding time (in the world's biggest penguin pool) is always a favourite .