** embargo: not for publication before Friday September 12**
New marine research facilities at the University of Aberdeen's Lighthouse Field Station are to be opened this week (Friday September 12) by the Rt Hon Charles Kennedy, MP.
The Field Station, best known for its studies of the Moray Firth's bottlenose dolphins, is based in the old Lighthouse keeper's cottage in Cromarty, Highland. Following refurbishment, the adjacent Old Buoy Store is now providing dedicated laboratory and teaching space to allow the University to expand its activities in the area.
Dr Paul Thompson, Director of the Lighthouse Field Station, said: "These facilities are already providing new opportunities for us. The photographic and acoustic laboratory is ideal for developing our long-term studies of individual dolphins. The new building also allows us to offer visiting students and members of the public opportunities to find out more about the Moray Firth and our research".
The refurbishment of the Old Buoy Store, together with the building of a boathouse and equipment store, has been supported by several funding bodies. Ross & Cromarty Enterprise, Talisman Energy (UK) Limited, the Cromarty Arts Trust and the HDH Wills 1965 Charitable Trust have all provided important contributions to the £145,000 project, which has also been supported by individual donors and the University of Aberdeen Development Trust.
"We are extremely grateful to the broad range of industrial and charitable organisations who have supported this project" said Professor Albert Rodger, Head of the College of Physical Sciences, University of Aberdeen. "The University has a long and distinguished history of research in marine ecology, and the developments at the Field Station will support the continuation of this tradition."
As well as research on dolphins, the Field Station conducts long-term ecological studies of harbour seals in the Moray Firth and seabirds in Orkney. International recognition of these studies now brings visiting researchers from many overseas countries. Paul Thompson continued: "In this summer alone, we've had scientists and students coming to Cromarty from as far afield as Sweden, New Zealand and Hawaii. Some carry out field research with us while in the area, but for many others the Field Station simply offers an ideal setting to compare notes and discuss future work".
Speaking at the launch, Charles Kennedy MP welcomed the University's increasing involvement in the Highlands. "The area's unique environment clearly provides great opportunities for research and teaching. This research helps build the regional science-base required to manage that environment, and this development of the Field Station is also bringing real economic benefits to local communities".