European Marine Science Park: a centre of marine excellence
The European Marine Science Park (EMSP) is an established centre for marine science research and innovation near Oban on Scotland’s west coast.
Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the park is home to an internationally recognised cluster of businesses and researchers working in aquaculture, biotechnology and environmental science. Its location provides direct access to the marine resources supporting the Highlands and Islands’ growing blue economy.
EMSP was developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)opens in a new window, working with Scottish Development International and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS)opens in a new window, to support innovation, economic growth and job creation.
European Marine Science Park highlights
A centre of marine excellence
Join an internationally recognised cluster spanning aquaculture, biotechnology, environmental science and marine research.
Flexible facilities
Choose from laboratory suites, offices, co-working spaces and development plots, with flexible leasing options available.
Innovation and collaboration
Connect with marine businesses, researchers and academics, including the Scottish Association for Marine Science.
Outstanding location
Work beside the waters of the Firth of Lorn, surrounded by the natural environment of Scotland’s west coast.
Join a thriving marine science community
EMSP is home to a growing community of marine businesses, researchers and academics. This creates opportunities for collaboration and partnership, supporting innovation and business growth.
Locating at the park puts your business at the heart of Scotland’s marine sector, with access to existing and potential customers, collaborators and supply-chain partners.
The park is also home to the Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scotland’s largest and oldest independent marine science organisation. Its presence gives businesses access to a community of marine researchers and a strong pool of qualified and highly skilled graduates.
HIE provides a range of support for businesses looking to innovate, grow and access new markets. This includes funding, specialist advice and training.
Think the European Marine Science Park could be right for your business? Get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Explore the European Marine Science Park
See the location, facilities and business environment at the European Marine Science Park.
Facilities at the European Marine Science Park
Purpose-built for the marine science sector, EMSP offers flexible facilities and leasing arrangements within an established community of innovative marine businesses.
The park is close to customers and collaborators, with direct access to the waters of the Firth of Lorn. On-site facilities include a café and ample outdoor space.
Camas House
Camas House is the latest step in supporting marine-sector growth at EMSP.
The state-of-the-art building provides 1,500 square metres of flexible workspace across two floors, including space for up to 11 laboratory suites and a range of shared facilities.
Camas House, European Marine Science Park
Malin House
Malin House provides 1,900 square metres of high-quality accommodation, including dedicated laboratory suites.
Its modern facilities combine private workspace with shared indoor and outdoor areas. The shared facilities include a boardroom, kitchen space, bicycle storage, showers, and ample parking.
The Moorings
The Moorings provides a flexible base for marine start-ups and entrepreneurs.
Located within Malin House, it offers co-working desks and small private offices, placing early-stage businesses at the centre of an established marine science community.
Development land
Development plots of up to 900 square metres are available for businesses looking to create a purpose-built base at the park.
The Scottish Association for Marine Science
The Scottish Association for Marine Science is based at EMSP. It is Scotland’s largest and oldest independent marine science organisation.
SAMS works to support a healthy and sustainably managed marine environment through research, education, knowledge exchange and engagement with society.
SAMS also houses the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa, Europe’s largest collection of its kind. The collection forms part of the UK’s scientific infrastructure and is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council as a national service collection and Biological Resource Centre.
It provides cyanobacterial, protistan and macro-algal cultures, alongside bioinformatics data, specialist services and advice for the international scientific community.
SAMS at the European Marine Science Park
Benefits of setting up at the European Marine Science Park
Access to skills and research expertise
Being located alongside SAMS gives businesses access to an established marine research community and a pool of qualified graduates and highly skilled people.
This creates opportunities to exchange knowledge, build research partnerships and develop new products and services.
Opportunities to innovate and collaborate
EMSP brings marine businesses, researchers and academics together in one location. This supports collaboration across aquaculture, biotechnology, environmental science and other areas of the blue economy.
Businesses can also connect with potential customers, collaborators and supply-chain partners operating across Scotland’s marine sector.
Business support
Highlands and Islands Enterprise opens in a new windowoffers support for eligible businesses looking to innovate, grow or enter new markets.
Support may include:
- Funding
- Specialist business advice
- Innovation support
- Skills development and training
- Help to access markets
A distinctive west coast lifestyle
Oban and the wider Argyll area offer a positive lifestyle choice for employers and employees, supporting work-life balance and helping businesses attract and retain skilled people.
The area is defined by mountains, lochs, islands and an extensive coastline, creating an outstanding setting for outdoor and leisure activities.
Connected to Scotland and beyond
Argyll includes commuter towns, rural villages and island communities. It has a strong sense of community, an active social enterprise sector and a thriving visitor economy built around its food, wildlife and landscapes.
The area is connected by ferry, rail and air, providing access to the Highlands and Islands, Glasgow, Scotland’s central belt and destinations beyond.
Looking for more information?
Visit the European Marine Science Park website to learn more about its facilities, available space and marine science community.
Find out more on the European Marine Science Park website opens in a new window
Get in touch to discuss setting up at the European Marine Science Park
If you're thinking of setting up in Scotland and think the European Marine Science Park could be right for you, get in touch today to discuss what you're looking for.