The £8m boost that will mean jobs for rural Scotland destination

A computer-generated image of the new building, which is expected to complete in late 2025 and will be called Camas House. Picture: contributed.

Argyll is set to welcome a new £8.1 million building aiming to help meet increasing demand for offices and laboratory facilities from the growing marine science sector.

TSL Contractors has been appointed by regional development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for the next stage of development at the European Marine Science Park (EMSP) at Dunstaffnage near Oban. It is hoped that this will spur more innovative marine businesses to locate in Argyll, “creating new well-paid job opportunities, particularly for young people, and encouraging entrepreneurship”.

The new building, expected to complete in late 2025, will be called Camas House, and will comprise an eco-friendly, two-storey, 1,500-square-metre facility with 11 laboratories and office suites of varying sizes. It is also expected to build on the success of the park’s Malin House, which was completed in 2012 and is now home to 15 companies with more than 70 staff.

Morag Goodfellow, HIE’s area manager for Argyll and the Islands, said: “Argyll’s rich marine resource has underpinned significant economic activity for generations. We’ve been developing the 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.” She also said the new development will help meet the “increasing demand for such facilities, bringing new business and fresh talent into the area”.

Andy Knight, MD of TSL Contractors, welcomed the firm being awarded the contract, adding that it “proves that we have made considerable progress during the past few years”.

Professor Nick Owens is director of the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), which is located next to the EMSP. He said: “This project is another huge step forward in establishing Oban, and indeed the wider region, as a centre for marine science excellence. The ambition for Camas House to attract more successful companies – and to do so in a more sustainable way – demonstrates the leadership and confidence that the region needs.”

Also commenting was Mairi Gougeon, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, who said: “Projects such as this show the kind of collaborative working that is needed to help us bring more good, high-quality jobs and skills to coastal communities.”