Scottish Marine Biological Association (scientific research stations: 1901- : Millport and Oban, Scotland)

The origins of the Scottish Marine Biological Association can be traced back to the Challenger Expedition, the first major oceanographic expedition which investigated the oceans of the world from 1872-1876 . Dr (later Sir) John Murray recognised that studies of the coastal waters of Scotland might shed further light on the phenomena which had been observed in the deep ocean basins and through his efforts the Scottish Meteorological Society established a permanent marine laboratory in 1884 . Prior to occupying a building on shore, work was carried out in the Ark, a canal barge converted to a floating laboratory, which was moored in a sea-flooded quarry at Granton, on the Firth of Forth.

In 1885 Murray transferred the Ark to the west coast where it was beached at Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae and became a centre for marine research until, as a result of the enthusiasm of Dr David Robertson and a committee of Glasgow naturalists, the Millport Marine Station was opened in 1897 . Four years later the title was changed to Millport Marine Biological Association of the West of Scotland and the present title was adopted in 1914 when the Association was incorporated as a non-profit making company to promote research and education in marine biology.

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