Orkney Research and Innovation Campus (ORIC)

The Orkney Research & Innovation Campus (ORIC) is a multi-million-pound project creating a hub for Orkney’s clean energy and low-carbon expertise. ORIC LLP, a joint venture between Orkney Islands Council (OIC) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), operates the 3.75 acre campus site. The first phase of development, including £1.48m from the European Regional Development Fund Scotland Programme, was completed in late 2020. A further funding package totalling £2.8m has been approved for the second round of development, contributing to ORIC’s long-term vision. The new development aims to enhance existing facilities and create new spaces to enable more academic and commercial activity, collaboration, and business incubation. New co-working spaces will support small and growing businesses, and improvements across the campus will aim to achieve net zero operations. This project is part of wider investment through the Islands Growth Deal, which is set to receive up to £8m from the UK Government. The former Stromness Primary School, now renamed the Robert Rendall building after the renowned Orcadian naturalist and poet, houses Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT), Solo Energy, and Robert Gordon University. The nearby Charles Clouston building, formerly known as the Old Academy, has been renovated and renamed after the prominent Stromness-born polymath. It provides modern facilities for the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) and environmental consultancy Aquatera Ltd. Other organisations located on the campus include Orkney Hyperbaric Trust and underwater services provider Sula Diving. ORIC aims to strengthen Orkney’s global lead in renewables research and innovation, providing purpose-built business and educational facilities within Stromness, where much of the sector’s activity is currently focused. The campus fosters collaboration between various organisations, companies, and agencies, furthering crucial Orkney-based research and development work. The campus is open to visitors and the public during normal working hours with free Wi-Fi available in all public external and internal areas. Space can be hired in both the Charles Clouston and Robert Rendall buildings by organisations and local businesses involved in relevant sectors.