The James Hutton Institute welcomes visitors to brand-new Hutton Hub for first Business Breakfast

The James Hutton Institute welcomed academics and members of Aberdeen’s business community to the brand-new Hutton Hub today for its first-ever Business Breakfast.

The multi-million-pound development, which will have an official public launch within the coming months, offers a space for academics, businesses and the public to collaborate and use cutting-edge technology to help the north-east achieve a just transition.

Financed by the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund, the Macaulay Development Trust and the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Hub is located at the Hutton’s Craigiebuckler campus and features top-of-the-range technology and facilities which are open to hire for businesses and the public.

  • A 360-degree Immersive Suite equipped with a media server, games engine and surround sound – allowing for videos, graphics, models and simulated environments to be projected on all four walls
  • A café where members of the public can drop by to grab a coffee and learn more about the Hutton’s research
  • VR and augmented reality headsets
  • Touch tables
  • An eye tracker
  • A video and sound editing suite
  • A podcasting suite
  • Two spacious lecture theatres perfect for holding conferences and events

“It was fantastic to have so many visitors from such a wide range of industries and professions at the Hutton Hub today for our Business Breakfast.
We’re keen to give as many people as possible a chance to see this amazing new space, and I can’t wait to see what new opportunities arise from all the networking and sharing done today.”

Colin Campbell, Chief Executive
Members of Aberdeen’s business community were invited to The James Hutton Institute’s new state-of-the-art Hutton Hub. Photo: Paul Reid.
Visitors got a chance to see the new Immersive Suite. Photo: Paul Reid.

Visitors were also treated to a demonstration of the incredible Immersive Suite and got a chance to try the touch tables and VR headsets for themselves.

They learned about the biophilic design and renewable materials used in the development, and discussed collaboration and business opportunities with Hutton staff, including Chief Executive Colin Campbell.

Following discussions with attendees, Colin said, “It was fantastic to have so many visitors from such a wide range of industries and professions at the Hutton Hub today for our Business Breakfast.

“This is the first event of its kind which we’ve run at the Hub and it certainly won’t be the last.

“We’re keen to give as many people as possible a chance to see this amazing new space, and I can’t wait to see what new opportunities arise from all the networking and sharing done today.”

The Hub includes a new podcasting, video and sound editing suite. Photo: Paul Reid.

Lori Wilson, a community manager at Codebase who attended the breakfast, said, “I’m so glad I came along – what an amazing spot!

“The detail included is incredible. All the materials really speak for the Hutton’s ethos of considering the local environment.”

Dawn Hawkins, from Instinct Marketing, added, “The Hub is absolutely fantastic. Even as a meeting space with clients, it’s excellent.

“I love the fact that it’s not in the city centre – instead you’re in a gorgeous space.

“In my business, we get a lot of our ideas whilst we’re outside. It’s just a different experience.”

If you’re interested in booking any of the facilities at the Hutton Hub or would like to learn more about the space, please email VenueServices@hutton.ac.uk.


For more information, contact Media Officer, Matteo Bell, matteo.bell@hutton.ac.uk, or on 074944 22228.