This zoo for sale in Scotland makes £585,000 per year

Animal-lover with an eye for business? This idyllic wildlife park could be a lucrative cash cow – and it even comes with a menagerie of animals

If you’re dreaming of escaping the rat race and getting back to nature, this unique property for sale could be the big break you've been looking for.

Auchingarrich Wildlife Park, a popular tourist attraction in the scenic Perthshire hills just outside the village of Comrie, has been put on the market for £1.5 million.

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For that relatively reasonable price tag, you not only get a beautiful five-bedroom stone farmhouse but also 131 acres of land, numerous commercial outbuildings and a whole host of animals, ranging from Highland cattle to monkeys.

Promising business venture

The business has been run by the same family for 10 years and appears to be thriving judging by its strong average annual turnover of £585,000 and the succession of positive reviews online.

It already attracts more than 60,000 yearly visitors thanks to its extensive animal enclosures, which are home to an eclectic mix of creatures, from Scottish farm animals such as goats and sheep to more exotic breeds including monkeys and white peacocks.

When the weather takes a turn, there’s plenty to keep people occupied too, with indoor as well as outdoor playgrounds and an indoor mini-golf course.

The property also features several fishing spots, a gift shop and a large coffee shop. In addition to feeding hungry daytime visitors during the zoo’s opening hours, the coffee shop is also kitted out to host private events and weddings, bringing in a lucrative extra stream of income.

Serious development potential

The agent selling the property, Galbraith’s Harry Stott, also has some strong ideas about how earnings could be boosted even further.

"There are good prospects of further diversification on the park in the form of developing self-catering accommodation on-site, such as chalets or glamping pods, subject to obtaining the necessary consents.”

Nestled in an idyllic spot near Loch Lomond and Trossach National Park, the rural zoo is extremely accessible too, located just off the A85 – a popular tourist route between Perthshire and the West Highlands.

The main house – and the acre in general – is in pretty good condition, so you’ll be able to get cracking on any expansion plans without shelling out money to refurbish the existing buildings first.

With traditional wooden floors and tasteful décor, the property's reception room is gorgeous, while the kitchen is very much in keeping with the heritage farmhouse look.

The current owners have built a network of roads and pathways across the estate to help you navigate the various animal enclosures and attractions, which is just as well given that the complex's many buildings are spread out over its rolling acres.

Fancy taking a walk on the wild side and snapping up your own animal park? See the full listing here.

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All images: Galbraith via OnTheMarket