Orkney Research Campus project awarded £500,000

March 9, 2017 at 10:32 am

One of the concept designs for the refurbished entrance at the Old Academy.

A project to create a research and innovation campus in Stromness has been award £500,000 from the Scottish Government and COSLA.

The money comes from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF), which supports projects in disadvantaged areas “that engage and involve local communities”.

The £6.5m Orkney Research Campus is an Orkney Islands Council/Highlands and Islands Enterprise joint project. Unveiled in January, it will see the refurbishment and use of Stromness’s Old Academy and former primary school buildings.

The proposed 3.75-acre campus will support the growth of existing research and innovation activity and the expansion of companies in Orkney’s world-leading marine renewables, energy and low-carbon sector. It is also hoped the facility will attract additional research activities to the county — both from the commercial and academic worlds.

Twenty-nine projects across Scotland are sharing £25m in the latest round of RCGF funding.