Cumbrae marine research centre saved

The University Marine Biological Station on the Isle of Cumbrae lost its funding when the University of London withdrew its annual grant of £400,000 in December 2012. The centre was forced to close in October 2013, but happily, ownership of the site is to transfer to the Field Studies Council (FSC) and the centre will reopen this month.

Both North Ayrshire Council and Glasgow University have been awarded £500,000 from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, and together they have enabled the work of the research centre to continue. Councillor Willie Gibson, leader of North Ayrshire Council, stressed the importance of the facility – ‘not only for the island community, but for North Ayrshire and indeed Scotland as a whole.’