Marine science companies in Dunstaffnage, near Oban, were joined this afternoon by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands Mairi Gougeon for the virtual official opening of new laboratories and office space.
The facilities have been created at Malin House on the European Marine Science Park (EMSP) following a £2m investment by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
The project was prompted by companies at the park looking to expand their commercial activity.
The new laboratories and offices were designed in consultation with those companies and the work was carried out by local contractor TSL.
Five companies have expanded into the new workspace: Patogen, Tritonia Scientific, Ocean Ecology, Oceanium, and Shetland firm Ocean Kinetics, which has established new operations in Argyll.
Gougeon said: “We are committed to developing a blue economy that is both environmentally and commercially sustainable.
“That is why I was delighted to open these new facilities at this state of the art marine enterprise cluster in Malin House today, which will promote entrepreneurship and showcase the many opportunities that Argyll and the Islands has to offer.”
Morag Goodfellow, HIE’s area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said: “We have been developing EMSP as a centre of collaboration in marine innovation and technology that taps into this natural advantage and stimulates growth in the marine science economy, not just for Argyll but across Scotland.
“It’s great to see that our investment to enhance the facilities at Malin House has enabled companies to expand - as a result, we can expect new opportunities in skills development and entrepreneurship, particularly for young people, as well as enhanced confidence in Argyll as a business location for inward investors.”
Malin House was built in 2012, and is home to 10 marine sector companies, active in a range of commercial marine activity.
Adjacent to Malin House is the Scottish Association of Marine Science (SAMS), part of the University of the Highlands and Islands network. Researchers at SAMS and commercial firms at the EMSP are attempting to develop a sustainable marine economy.
Preparatory work is also under way to develop three more buildings, one of which has already been granted planning permission.
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