The Baird of Bute Day brought science to life on the western Isle, featuring engaging activities led by School of Chemistry researchers. The event also honoured notable Scottish scientists, inspiring the local community and visitors alike Visitors learning about solar power from PhD student Kieran. The annual Baird of Bute Day on the Isle of Bute celebrates science with interactive sessions and inspirational talks. Organised by the Baird of Bute Society, the event aims to inspire young islanders by recognising significant achievements in science through the Innovation and Aviation Awards. Prof. Eleanor Campbell chairing Q&A session with awardees. Left to right: Prof Sir James Hough, Prof Gillian Wright, Scott McLarty, Prof Eleanor Campbell. This year, awardee talks attracted a large audience, including local high school students and community members. Innovation awardees Prof. Gillian Wright (2024) and Prof. Sir James Hough (2025) shared insights into the latest findings from the James Webb Space Telescope and the search for gravitational waves. Aviation awardee Scott McLarty recounted his journey from apprentice to a senior Vice-President at Spirit, a leading aerospace company. The engaging dialogue allowed attendees to interact directly with these distinguished scientists, with fantastic questions from the audience. Colourful chemistry experiments exploring pH with PhD student Cecilia. Researchers from the School of Chemistry enriched the event with hands-on science activities. Dr Jenny Gracie (Widening Participation & Outreach Manager), along with PhD researchers Cecilia Hong, Kieran Landregan, and Emma Tomlinson, guided participants through experiments that explored scientific concepts. Support came from local physics teacher Scott Kerr and senior pupils Eleanor, Ricky, and Stephen from Rothesay Academy. Throughout the afternoon, 300 visitors including local families and tourists participated in the scientific activities. For many, it was a unique opportunity to meet and converse with scientists, while also completing their first ever experiments. Visitors learning how photochemical reactions produce blueprint artwork from Dr Jenny Gracie Visitors learning about molecular shapes from PhD student Emma Tomlinson. One young visitor practices his handling technique inside our portable glovebox. Prof. Eleanor Campbell, a Bute native and past recipient of the Scottish Innovation Award, chairs the Board of Trustees of the Baird of Bute Society. She expressed gratitude to the awardees and contributors, saying, I am very grateful to our awardees for taking time to travel to Bute and helping the Society so enthusiastically with its aim of "inspiring to aspire". The events in Rothesay this year were very successful and we hope to develop and expand on them in the coming years. Professor Eleanor Campbell School of Chemistry Travel for the SoC members was made possible by the support of our long standing industry partners Afton Chemical. Information table for UoE chemistry degrees, showcasing what our students move onto after graduating Tags Outreach Prizes and Awards This article was published on Thursday 18 September 2025
