Thanks to Mackley for landscaping Millport Scotia memorial

The Antarctic expedition, on board the ship Scotia, lasted from 1902 to 1904.

It was one of the most significant in polar history, and led to the establishment of the continent’s first staffed meteorological station.

Following the Scotia’s return to Scotland, the ship anchored off Millport, where the expedition leader William Spiers Bruce went ashore to the Marine Biological Station, now the Field Studies Centre.

He was met by the pre-eminent oceanographer Sir John Murray, who was carrying a letter of congratulation from His Majesty King Edward VII.

Conservative councillor Todd Ferguson said: "A huge thanks to the Mackley’s Flood Defence team for landscaping our beautiful and historically important Scotia Memorial, near the FSC.

"It looks absolutely amazing, and it will make maintaining it so much easier moving forward.

"Thank you for agreeing to do this for the island."

Cllr Todd Ferguson said island was thankful for the landscaping of Scotia memorial (Image: Cllr Todd Ferguson)

The island has maintained a strong connection with the Scotia expedition and on the 100th anniversary in 2004, celebrations were held to commemorate the event.

Islanders Robert and Jacqueline Wilson commissioned a memorial stone and plaque to be housed near to the Field Studies Centre, which was officially unveiled by the Princess Royal.

Mackley are the civil engineering firm who won the contract to install the £48m flood defensive system to protect the island.

Offshore elements were completed in February, including an offshore rock armour breakwater that has created an area of calm water.

In addition, foreshore rockworks have been completed at Clyde Street, Crichton Street and Clyde Street, and concrete revetments have been built at Kelburn Street, Millburn Street and Clyde Street, with slopes designed to absorb wave energy to reduce coastal erosion.

Mackley is a subsidiary of the main contractor for the Millport flood protection work, Van Oord UK Ltd.