The original Blair Drummond House was built in 1715. Sir John Kay, a tea merchant from Glasgow, purchased the house and its surrounding land in 1916. Because he had no sons, Kay passed the property to his nephew Sir John Muir, the father of the park's present owner Jamie Muir. The house was a family home until it was sold to the Camphill Movement, a charity that cares for people with special needs, in 1977.[7]
The current Blair Drummond House was built in a new location in 1872 by James Campbell Walker, and again in 1923 by James Bow Dunn after a fire destroyed the previous house.[8]
Blair Drummond Safari Park was opened in 1970, and currently it covers 120 acres (49 ha) of land, keeps several exotic and endangered animals in its collection, and is involved in several captive breeding and research programs for endangered species.
Like many safari parks, Blair Drummond features reserve areas that visitors drive through in their own cars and view free-roaming animals. Species that are kept in the drive-through reserves include Père David's deer, southern white rhinoceros,dromedary camels, Bactrian camels, African lions, ostriches, Ankole cattle, fallow deer, Siberian tigers, Darwin's rhea, lechwe,sika deer and American bison.
The park has a variety of activities for both children and adults. There is a large astraglide slide and adventure playground, where visitors will find a pirate ship and climbing maze with slides, all housed within a sand arena. There are also pedal boats (the 'splash cats') positioned underneath a large flying-fox.
Visitors can purchase tokens for some of the other rides and attractions including dodgems, kids' dragon rollercoaster, a bouncy castle and a carousel. Face painting is also available for visitors of all ages.
Throughout the day, the education team make their way round some of the enclosures, giving talks on some of the animals at the park. The talks include information about the natural environments, behaviours and biology of the animals, as well as specific information on the individuals at the park. Some of the talks include a feeding and so provide a good opportunity to see the animals active if they are having a lazy day.
In addition, the zoo has both animal related and education related volunteer programs. Animal volunteers help with the daily tasks of the zoo, including mucking out and cleaning of animal enclosures, feed preparation, and implementing enrichment for animals. Education volunteers help with daily education of visitors, including working at the touch tables, talking with visitors, helping with education talks for schools, and helping organize and plan events and fundraising.[10]
"Keeper for the Day" and "Junior Keeper for the Day" are paid packages let people to work hands-on with a number of the animals at the park along with their keepers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blair_Drummond_Safari_Park
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