Why visit
It gives families close-up owl encounters and set-piece flying displays without the scale, walking, or time commitment of a larger animal attraction.
Before you go
At a glance
Opening times, tickets, address, parking, and the main practical details for planning your visit.
Opening times
Apr-Aug: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Feb, Mar, Sep, Oct: 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Jan and Nov: weekends only 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM. Flying displays run at set times.
Tickets
Adult £11.50, Child £9.50, Concession £10.50, Family £40, Under 3s free.
Address
Polkemmet Country Park, Whitburn, Bathgate EH47 0AD
Postcode
EH47 0AD
Parking
Parking is available about 50 metres from the entrance inside Polkemmet Country Park.
Last entry
The official site does not list a separate final admission cutoff, so plan around the flying-display timetable instead.
Visit length
1.5-2.5 hours
Entry type
Standard admission; no advance booking required
Official source
Official website
Planning shortcut
Plan this visit faster
The key trip-planning answers families usually want before committing to the day.
Best for
Younger animal-loving children, shorter wildlife outings, and families who want a simple stop that pairs well with Polkemmet Country Park.
How long to spend
Most families will be comfortable in 1.5 to 2.5 hours, especially if they time the visit around one flying display.
Trip overview
About this location
The main reasons families add this stop to a Scotland itinerary.
Scottish Owl Centre is best treated as a shorter specialist wildlife stop rather than a full-day zoo. The flying displays, close-up aviaries, and easy access inside Polkemmet Country Park make it especially good for younger animal-loving children who do not need a huge site to feel the day has gone well. It suits families after a manageable outing, a display-based visit, or a stop to combine with the park.
Visit the Scottish Owl Centre for a fun and educational family day out. Set in the beautiful Polkemmet Country Park just minutes from J4A of the M8 exactly halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh, there are over 150 owls in spacious aviaries, making this the largest collection of owls in the world. Children love the giant owl slide and can discover lots of fun owl facts, enjoy one of the daily indoor flying displays and even hold an owl for a photo. There's parking, toilets and a cafe just 50 metres from the entrance to the Owl Centre within the Country Park. Your Owl Centre ticket allows re-entry all day. The site is fully accessible. No booking required.
On-site practicals
Facilities and amenities
Useful facilities families often check before visiting.
Over 150 owls in spacious aviaries
Giant owl slide for children
Daily indoor flying displays
Owl handling photo opportunities
Parking available (50m from entrance)
Toilets and café nearby in Country Park
Fully accessible site
Re-entry allowed all day
No booking required
Family planning
Parent tips
Extra context to make the visit smoother.
Time your visit around a flying display rather than just dropping in at random. It is a short specialist stop rather than a full-day zoo, but the easy parking and Polkemmet Country Park setting make it easy to combine with a walk or play stop. The indoor display element helps on mixed-weather days.
Visual preview
Photos
A quick look at the setting before you visit.
Community notes
Reviews
What families are saying.