ABOUT

Situated on Scotland’s stunning West Coast, the European Marine Science Park provides high quality laboratory and office accommodation in an established location for Marine Science.  The rich marine resources of the Highlands & Islands underpin a vibrant and growing economic cluster based on marine science.  This includes innovative enterprises, world-class research, excellent locations and facilities, a skilled talent pool, strong government support for business and close links between policymakers, industry and academia.

The European Marine Science Park is being developed by Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE), in partnership with Scottish Development International and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) to create a self-sustaining and growing cluster of marine science related activity.

Stakeholders

Highlands & Islands Enterprise is the Scottish Government’s economic and community development agency for the north and west of Scotland.  HIE generates sustainable economic growth by providing intensive support to business and communities and working with investors to develop new business opportunities.

Scottish Development International supports foreign companies invest and thrive in Scotland and local enterprises make the most of international trade and global markets.

The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), one of the world’s oldest oceanographic institutions, is committed to increasing knowledge and stewardship of the marine environment through research, education, maintenance of research infrastructure and knowledge transfer. 

Accommodation

 European Centre for Marine Biotechnology

The European Centre for Marine Biotechnology (ECMB) provides business incubation space in a supportive environment, enhancing collaboration and supporting market penetration. 

Occupiers can take advantage of a range of facilities and bespoke services available including IT support, meeting rooms, conference facilities, engineering, stores, security, cafe and library.

Malin House provides approximately 1,900 sq m (20,500 sq ft) of accelerator space for expanding companies, with flexible fit-out available to incorporate laboratory and office environments.  The building has been designed and built to maximise the positive impact of the surrounding land and seascape.

Marine Science Expertise

The European Marine Science Park will be of particular interest to start-up businesses, spin-outs and SMEs who are interested in the combination of an outstanding marine environment with world-class scientific knowledge available at this location. Small companies and start-ups will benefit from the services offered in the incubator, whilst Malin House provides high quality, sustainable accommodation containing accelerator space for expanding companies.  This offering enables companies to choose the right environment for their needs.

Businesses based at the Science Park can benefit from co-location with SAMS, providing access to:

• The expertise of 140+ scientists in all fields of marine science, from marine environment to the development of marine-derived biofuels

• First class laboratory facilities such as electron microscopes, autoclaves, etc.

• National facilities including the largest collection of algae and protozoa in Europe, the National Scientific Diving Centre and the North Atlantic Glider Base.

Collaboration & Business Support

A strong spirit of collaboration and innovation supports company growth aspirations.  The park is an associate member of the BioMarine International Clusters Association (BICA), which champions marine bio-resources and their innovative use across sector applications.  Strong links have developed with both the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) and the Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), with companies within the cluster partnering with academic and other industrial partners through Scotland and internationally.

First-class business support is available to all high growth tenants from Highlands & Islands Enterprise and Scottish Development International to ensure that the businesses operate effectively and profitably in the shortest time possible.

Growth organisations located in the area can benefit from on-going assistance via the HIE account management programme and be eligible for support including research and development grants, financial support packages, business mentoring and advice, skills development programmes, new product development initiatives, international trade and marketing activities.

Development

Phase 2 and beyond will be determined by demand and sector growth. The next two phases of development will provide a further 4,000 sq m.