Environmental Research Institute

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Location

Many environmental research establishments have a unique natural resource in their ‘backyards’ which provides focus for their studies; ERI has three.

In the early 19th century, famous geologist, palaeontologist and naturalist Hugh Miller discovered Silurian sea scorpion fossils in the region. Ever since then scientists from around the world have been attracted to the area, keen to take advantage of the abundant research potential such a diverse environment affords.

Being at the heart of such an environmentally unique location has presented ERI, its clients and partners, with incredible research opportunities that are unrivalled elsewhere in the world.

On ERI’s doorstep is the renowned Pentland Firth; the Flow Country; and the rivers Wick and Thurso.

The Pentland Firth fills and drains the North Sea twice a day and the water flows at a rate of up to three million tons a second. Inevitably it has become a focus for marine and tidal wave energy research and attracts a huge level of international interest. It is linked by the River Thurso to the Flow Country, a proposed UNESCO World Heritage site which is a vast expanse of wetland and peatland. In fact, it is the largest blanket bog in Europe. Along with the River Wick, these combined natural resources form the basis of ERI’s strong scientific attraction.

With wide access to the environments of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, this unrivalled location enables ERI to provide bountiful learning and research riches, where studying 21st century issues and challenges happens in theory, but is also immersed in practice.

For more information about our work, facilities and unique location, and the opportunities they provide, please contact us.