Hidden Gems

See Owls from all over the world and enjoy the daily all-weather flying displays and Prof Hoot’s Owl School. Also enjoy the Adventure Playground and Picnic area, all based in Polkemmet Country Park.

Now you can meet face-to-face the birds that you’ve only heard as a distant Twit-Twoo. From the giant Siberian Eagle Owl to the tiny Scops Owl you can learn about their habits and habitats and how to help in their conservation. Let these awesome creatures inspire you to make a difference.

Come and visit us and see:

• An incredible selection of owls from all over the world!
• Daily all-weather flying displays in the display area
• Prof Hoot’s Owl School – where you can test your knowledge of the owls
• The fantastic Adventure Playground & Picnic area

The Five Sisters Zoo offers a wonderful opportunity to get up close to over 180 different species of animals, birds and reptiles from around the world. 

There’s lion's, lemurs and lynx, bears, meerkats and monkeys, parrots and porcupines, bat eared foxes, bunnies, reindeer and raccoons to name but a few, all adding up to an exciting, educational and great value visit for all the family. 

There’s keeper talks and feeding sessions throughout the day and if you fancy getting up close, why not join in with one of our 3 daily handling sessions with snakes, bearded dragons, tortoises, hedgehogs and giant African land snails. A definite favourite are the ring tailed lemur feeding sessions, where you are able to hand feed these amazing and gentle creatures. Kids also love the hands on half day zoo keeper experiences (these must be booked in advance).

The Tropical House is home to range of animals used to living in warmer climates including crocodiles and terrapins.  Our 4 magnificent ex-circus lions are a truly amazing sight to behold.  Enjoy seeing them lolling about in the sun and snoozing in the shade.

The Zoo's new Leaping Lemur's Softplay opened in Spring 2018 and offers a four level play frame for kids of all ages.  It has an attractive cafe located alongside it with a toddler play area and mezzanine level.  The softplay is in a separate building near the entrance to the zoo so that customers can visit the softplay independently. Those with paid zoo tickets will receive a discount to access the softplay.

Make your wigwam trip truly memorable by staying at Hilly Cow Wigwams.  Come stay on Leyden a working farm in West Lothian, near Edinburgh.  Enjoy the comfort of camping in our heated wigwams, with the beautiful views of the Forth Valley and the Pentland hills.  Hilly Cow Wigwams can offer all the sights of the farm, walks and cyclist routes but is close enough to enjoy all the attractions of Edinburgh and the Lothian’s.

Hilly Cow Wigwams is centrally located surrounded by rural countryside, yet only 10miles from Edinburgh city centre and 5 miles from Livingston centre.  The perfect wigwam site for a peaceful break whether it be for walking, fishing, shooting, pony trekking, cycling, golfing, or touring holiday.  Fun holiday for all the family, come see our pigs hens sheep and cows, or why not hire all our wigwams for a party.  

Edinburgh Monarchs race at the Scotwaste Arena every Friday night during the season running from March to October. The Monarchs race in the Premier League, a UK wide competition, which they won in 2003 and 2008.

Seven man teams race over fifteen races to decide the winning team. Two riders from each team contest each race on their 500cc motorcycles on our 260 metre oval circuit. These machine accelerate at a frightening rate and the bikes have no brakes so it is the skill of the rider that allows them to stop.

Gates open at 6.30pm, with on-track action getting under way from 7.30pm. Facilites include two food outlets, a fully licensed bar, and covered spectator viewing areas, both seated and standing.

Admission tickets are available online from our advanced ticket website at a discounted rate up until 11:59pm on the day before the event.

Crosswoodhill Farm is a great base from which to discover the wealth and variety of landscape, attractions and activities that Scotland offers.  Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Livingston are all close.  As is much of central and southern Scotland

Escape the city crowds, park your car with ease and enjoy the freedom of self-catering in either a traditional or stunning contemporary home. Graded by VisitScotland as  "of a very good /excellent / exceptional standard" our 3, 4 and 5 STAR multi-award-winning properties offer you choice. Each uniquely different. Each will surprise and delight with their individual thoughtful touches. And an extra bonus?  Our easy-to-reach central rural location.

Make your holiday or business trip to this area a truly memorable one by staying at Ashcroft Farmhouse and enjoying their fabulous breakfasts and hospitality. With its central location, Ashcroft Farmhouse which is a 5-acre small holding, is surrounded by countryside and yet is only 10 miles from Edinburgh City Centre providing the perfect setting for a peaceful break or a busy golfing sightseeing or touring holiday.

Guests can avoid the hassle of city parking by using the regular bus service which stops near our entrance, and be in the heart of Edinburgh within half an hour. A frequent train service to the Capital is also within 2 miles at Uphall Station or Kirknewton, both with free parking. There is also a free Park & Ride facility 4 miles away and with frequent bus service which goes into the city centre within 20 minutes. 

Belstane Log Cabins is the perfect place to go if you fancy a holiday where you can relax in the country away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, but still find plenty to do.

A timber cabin, built from Scottish resources as well as being eco-friendly, Belstane Cabins is a great place for couples and families to enjoy some time in beautiful rural settings.

Situated in Kirknewton, the cabin is in the prime location to explore both West Lothian and the city of Edinburgh, perfect for people who want an activities based holiday or those who prefer to explore the local tourist spots. With bus and train services nearby, travelling around the Lothians is also made simple.

The cosy and comfy cabin is ideal for a 'nuclear family' as it includes one double bedroom and one twin bedroom, a toilet and shower room and a large living room kitchen area with patio door leading to a great decking area.

Jupiter Artland is a unique contemporary sculpture park located 12 miles outside of Edinburgh.

Founded in 2009 by philanthropist art collectors Robert and Nicky Wilson, Jupiter Artland has grown into one of Scotland’s most significant arts organisations and was nominated for ArtFund’s Museum of the Year in 2016. Set over 120 acres of meadow, woodland and five indoor gallery spaces, Jupiter Artland is home to 33 site-specific sculptures from internationally renowned artists, a world-leading learning programme, and presents a seasonal programme of exhibitions and events.

At the heart of Jupiter Artland's work is their mission to engage with every school child in Scotland. Their ground-breaking learning programme offers free visits for nurseries, schools, colleges, universities and community groups. To date Jupiter Artland has welcomed over 25,000 learners to visit.

Set in 260 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland overlooking the River Forth, this 17th-century laird’s house near Linlithgow has been the home of the Dalyell family for 400 years. The present house was built in 1612 by Thomas Dalyell, an Edinburgh merchant who made his fortune at the court of King James VI and I in London.

In 1944, the Dalyell family gifted the house, its contents and the parkland, along with an endowment, to the National Trust for Scotland under its Countr House Scheme, keeping the right of the family to live in the house.

Visitors are welcomed into the family home and taken round the ten rooms open to viewing by knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides.

You will find the house has a comfortable, lived-in feel even in the grandest of the rooms – the High Hall and the King’s Room. Here you can see the magnificent plaster ceilings of 1630, commissioned by Thomas Dalyell and his wife Janet Bruce for the visit of King Charles I to Scotland in 1633.