Tapirs

Edinburgh Zoo's tapir enclosure sits in the heart of the city's wildlife park, and it's genuinely one of the better reasons to spend an afternoon here. These bulky, oddly-shaped creatures - they're rather like a cross between an anteater and a small elephant - are absolutely fascinating to watch if you catch them during feeding time. They're surprisingly graceful given their size, and the staff here seem to know their animals properly.

The tapirs themselves are the main draw for zoology buffs and anyone with kids who've exhausted the monkey section. They're not the flashiest residents, but there's something compelling about watching them root around their habitat. Most visitors allow 10-15 minutes at this particular enclosure, though you could easily spend a full day at the zoo itself exploring the broader collection.

Admission is paid - expect standard zoo prices - and it's worth timing your visit around keeper talks if the zoo still runs them, as the staff tend to have proper insights. The enclosure is accessible year-round, though late spring to early autumn offers the best viewing when the animals are most active.

If you're basing yourself at Linwater Caravan Park near Newbridge, the zoo is about 20 minutes north, making it an easy day trip. It breaks up the holiday nicely rather than being a standalone reason to visit Edinburgh, but the tapirs alone? They're worth a decent look.