13
EDINBURGH ZOO
Haggis the pygmy hippo is moving to another zoo as part of the breeding programme for the
endangered species. Visitors to Edinburgh Zoo have until Sunday 26 October to see the wee
hippo before she leaves for pastures new.
In the wild, young pygmy hippos leave their parents when they are around one year old. As
Haggis approaches her first birthday on 30 October, she is already starting to distance herself
from mum Gloria.
Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader with Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in
Edinburgh, said: “Although we will be sad to see Haggis go, she is off to play her part in the
breeding programme for this rare species. Pygmy hippos don’t reach sexual maturity until three
to five years old so it will be a while before she might have her own little one.
“Despite only being a year old, Haggis has been a wonderful little ambassador, connecting
with our visitors and helping raise awareness of the challenges pygmy hippos face in the wild.”
The pygmy hippo is native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily Liberia. It
is estimated that just 2,500 remain in the wild due to habitat loss.
Visitors looking to say goodbye to Haggis before she leaves can book tickets online and save
edinburghzoo.org.uk/tickets
CAMERA OBSCURA & WORLD OF ILLUSIONS
Prepare for a spellbinding adventure this autumn at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile. From 11 October to 2 November, the five-storey
building transforms with the Haunting Halloween Hunt, a family friendly trail which invited
visitors to track down Dizzy the mascot.
Dizzy is disguised as five classic Halloween sights. Visitors must find Frankenstein, Dracula,
the Mummy, the Werewolf (and more) to be rewarded with a sweet treat from the Gift Shop.
Step inside to find the venue steeped in Halloween spirit. Expect eerie projections, chilling
portraits, themed decorations, and photo-op moments around every corner (if you dare!)
Highlights include the “Severed Head” illusion, the spine-tingling OptiMusic exhibit, holograms,
and the multi-coloured Colour Shadow Wall, each designed to amaze, amuse, and unsettle.
There is history underfoot and illusion all around for visitors to wander through more
than 100 exhibits on five floors.
Best advice is to book an early-bird slot from 25 October to 1 November which allows
visitors 20% off the ticket price for pre-9am bookings. The discount is automatically applied
online, making it a frightfully good deal to beat the crowds.
Book now at camera-obscura.co.uk
Whether you’re on half-term holidays with the kids or looking for a whimsically eerie outing
with friends, this is a Halloween experience unlike any other. Dare to be delighted?
LIFECARE
Spooky crafts, robotics and family fun are all free this October in Stockbridge
The LifeCare Community Hub on Cheyne Street is once again giving back to local
families with free school holiday activities for children this October.
The charity’s bright, thriving hub welcomes thousands of visitors each year and offers more
than 80 weekly activities for local people of all ages, providing everything from fitness and
music to pop-up play, unpaid carers wellbeing support and a wide range of creative classes.
This October, the hub is turning its attention to young people across the school holidays
with a series of free, and most importantly fun, holiday sessions:- Tuesday 14 October, 10–11am – Spooky Crafts (no need to book)
- Thursday 16 October, 10–11am – Playbotics
(email [email protected] to book in advance) - F riday 31 October, 1–2pm – Halloween fun in the café (come in your spookiest fancy dress!)
While the kids get stuck into spooky fun, parents and carers can relax with a cuppa, lunch
or a sweet treat in our welcoming community café. And the popular Pop-up Play sessions
for under-5s will still be running on Monday and Tuesday 9-1 throughout the holiday week.
These activities are free thanks to the generosity of the ScottishPower Foundation and
the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland.
http://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.ukTAKE A TRIP ON THE TRAM
With a Family Day Tripper ticket, passengers pay for the whole family’s tram travel in
advance and it is suggested as a good way to save money.
The ticket includes unlimited travel for up to two adults and up to three under 16 year-olds
on board Edinburgh Trams for £9 per day.
Trams run from every seven minutes and there are 1,000 free parking spaces at Ingliston
Park and Ride where anyone travelling from out of town can leave the car behind during
the day out.
An added bonus with the Family Day Tripper ticket is that partner attractions like The
Edinburgh Dungeon, Mercat Tours and The Potter Trail offer exclusive discounts. Just show
the ticket. And anyone buying an Edinburgh sightseeing bus tour ticket at the same time
can also save money on the ticket price.The Family Day Tripper ticket is valid on Edinburgh Trams services only, and exclusively
available to purchase from edinburghticket.comHALF
TERM
Fun + Frolics^