Zoo launches first nationwide trek in a double-decker bus

Published on Wednesday 18 March 2009 09:06

IT might not be the most comfortable bus journey for those with a fear of creepy-crawlies.

For taking a seat next to a giant hissing cockroach will be a frog and a stick insect.

Edinburgh Zoo is going on its first ever double-decker tour across the country laden with creatures.

The move is to help celebrate the centenary of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland – the charity that owns the zoo.

Senior education officer Polly Phillpot said: "The main 'wow' factor for visitors on this tour will be the animals upstairs.

"We have simply never done anything like this before."

The zoo has bought a 1976 Leyland double-decker bus and staff have since been working hard to make sure it is as eye-catching as the contents that will eventually travel the length and breadth of Scotland in it to go on show to the public.

Ms Phillpot said: "Unfortunately, we cannot bring large animals on the tour – they simply wouldn't be able to cope with the heat of a bus.

"But there will be lots of smaller ones, such as frogs and a giant Madagascar hissing cockroach. It will be very exciting."

The bus will today go on its first semi-public show at the zoo when it is removed from a car park for the first time since work was completed on its exterior.

Now adorned with colourful images of creatures that the zoological society supports, it is bound to catch drivers' attention as it makes its way from the Capital to far-flung locations such as Shetland in the early summer.

But what will eventually be inside is still something of a mystery, as artistic work is ongoing and final touches are yet to be made.

The aim is to create a learning area downstairs, with the steps to the upper deck creating an exciting entrance to a mini-rainforest, packed with fascinating creatures in tanks.

Ms Phillpot said: "We are hoping to visit 100 schools, seeing as it is the society's centenary.

"We want to make it to those places that are otherwise geographically unable to visit Edinburgh Zoo, or the society's Highland Wildlife Park.

"The final map has not yet been drawn up, but we want to be able to get to Shetland, as well as some of the other islands."

Much of the tour will involve day trips to towns across the country, but there may be occasions when the bus is away from Edinburgh for a week at a time.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland was founded in 1909 by Edinburgh lawyer Thomas Gillespie, who had a vision to open a zoological park for the people of the Capital. He opened Edinburgh Zoo in 1913.