The Living Field Study Centre is a base from which visitors can study the flora and fauna of arable land in Scotland. The centre has strong working links with volunteer groups and NGOs.

The focus is on raising awareness of the diversity of plants and animals in the local region, their contribution to the functioning of ecosystems and their importance in sustaining productive farmland.

The Centre opened in 2007 to provide facilities that are freely accessible to people of all ages and abilities who are interested in biodiversity. The centre is open throughout the year to visitors, including schools, conservation volunteers, wildlife watch groups and other interested parties.

Activities will be run for groups to develop understanding and appreciation of diversity in plants, seeds, flowers and insects using digital and interactive technologies, with whiteboards, microscopes and computers.

The Centre will be the working base of the growing reference collection at SCRI of Scotland’s farmland plants. Its website will eventually integrate your data, conservation activities and plant and invertebrate surveys throughout Scotland. 

What you can do 

• Sample and study plants and insects in the Living Field Garden and on SCRI's farm
• Use microscopes, computers and interactive boards
• Help with data recording
• Walk along the farms' network of paths
• Volunteer to help with surveys of rare arable plants