Millport took centre stage at the the official launch of the Year of Fieldwork, an initiative led by the Field Studies Council (FSC).

The benefits of students obtaining crucial outdoor monitoring skills was highlighted at the Field Studies Centre on Millport at Monday’s launch.

The campaign, which is also supported by Ordnance Survey, highlights the widespread benefits of fieldwork, which can be a life-changing educational experience for many.

One of the goals is that far more prominence should be given to fieldwork by school and university students studying biology, geography and a wide range of other environmental subjects, and Cumbrae was seen as the perfect place to launch it.

FSC Chief Executive Rob Lucas says: “There is a tradition of research and fieldwork here at Millport and as such it is a fitting place to launch this initiative, as much to celebrate the value of fieldwork, as to urge its expansion.

“Fieldwork covers all forms of study outside the classroom – mapping landscapes, taking weather measurements, water sampling, moth trapping, bird surveys and plant identification are just a few of the hundreds of field studies carried out by students and researchers.” Students gain many crucial skills, such as good organisation, team working, accurate observing and recording, and many communication skills. All of these equip students superbly for work in a wider range of professions.

Councillor Willie Gibson, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “North Ayrshire Council is proud to support the launch of the Year of Fieldwork on the Isle of Cumbrae. The centre is a flagship facility - it’s fantastic to see it going from strength-to-strength, providing another great opportunity to put Millport on the map and shine a light on this wonderful educational facility.