COAST Discovery Centre reopens its doors ahead of exciting year
The Community of Arran Seabed Trust’s pioneering visitor centre, the COAST Discovery Centre, will reopen its doors tomorrow (Saturday).
After a winter spent carrying out essential maintenance and running public events, the COAST team is excited to welcome island residents and visitors to the centre once again.
The centre provides an exciting and eye-opening insight into Arran’s amazing marine life, with opportunities to discover the underwater world for both children and adults.
The centre also tells the incredible story of how the Arran community united to demand protection for their unique marine habitats and the abundant life within them.
New this year will be an exhibit on Arran’s marine life, past and present, with further plans to develop an outdoor mural, and a specially-developed underwater virtual reality experience to allow people to explore below the surface as well as new children’s activities.
These additions will complement the existing catchand-release aquariums that allow visitors to observe sea critters up close and personal, as well as rent-a-rockpooling kits and binoculars for those who want to venture out on their own.
Sophie Plant, COAST’s education and communications manager, said: “We can’t wait to once again welcome visitors to our amazing discovery centre.
“We have a really exciting summer season ahead of us and are looking forward to offering even more activities and opportunities to dive in, and get inspired by our amazing seas.”
The reopening will mark the beginning of a monumental year for COAST, ahead of the official launch of its brand-new research vessel, COAST Explorer, later on in the spring.
The boat, which is fully wheelchair accessible and equipped with an on-board toilet, will be used to support COAST’s education and research activities.
This will include public tours around Arran’s waters, allowing people of all ages to get involved with COAST’s research and inspire them to become citizen scientists.
All information and ticketing will be available in the COAST Discovery Centre or via the website, www. arrancoast.com.