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Home > Scotland > Things to do in Lothian Scotland > Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World

Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World

Located right next to a large garden centre, this is a tropical oasis that stays warm all year round. It is in Dalkeith, Midlothian, postcode EH22 3BP.

What to Expect and Enjoy
As soon as you walk through the doors, you are in a humid, tropical rainforest.

  • Butterfly House: Hundreds of exotic butterflies fly freely around you. If you wear bright colours and stay very still, they might even land on your shoulder!
  • Creepy Crawlies: There is a dedicated area for spiders, scorpions, and giant stick insects.
  • Daily Handling Sessions: If you’re brave enough, you can join the “animal handling” sessions where you might get to hold a snake or a lizard.

Best For and Time Spent
Great for young children and a perfect rainy day activity because it is all indoors and very warm.

  • Duration: Most people spend about 1 to 1.5 hours here.

Helpful Tips for Your Visit

  • Parking: There is plenty of free parking as it shares a car park with the Dobbies Garden Centre.
  • Food: While there is a small snack bar inside, most visitors pop into the large garden centre restaurant next door for a full meal or afternoon tea.
  • Combine your trip: It’s located right next to Dalkeith Country Park, so you can easily spend the rest of the day there exploring the woods and the adventure playground.

More Places Nearby

Almond Valley Heritage Centre Arthur’s Seat Blackness Castle Camera Obscura & World of Illusions Dalkeith Country Park Dalmeny House Dirleton Castle and Gardens Dynamic Earth East Links Family Park Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Ghost Tours Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) Edinburgh Zoo Five Sisters Zoo Fountain Park Foxlake Adventures Glenkinchie Distillery Hopetoun House House of the Binns Inveresk Lodge Garden Jupiter Artland Linlithgow Palace Lost Shore Surf Resort Malleny Garden Midlothian Snowsports Centre Murrayfield Stadium Tour Musselburgh Racecourse National Museum of Flight National Museum of Scotland Newhailes House North Berwick Harbour Rosslyn Chapel Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Scottish National Gallery Scottish National Portrait Gallery Scottish Parliament Visitor Centre Tantallon Castle The Edinburgh Dungeon The Palace of Holyroodhouse The Royal Mile The Royal Yacht Britannia The Scottish Seabird Centre
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