Welcome to the website of
The Hannah Research Institute.


The Hannah Research Institute is a not-for-profit company, limited by Guarantee, registered in Scotland No. 16819, and of Charitable status, Scottish Charity No. 007058.
Hannah Estate Arial View
Spring time at Hannah Research Park
Hannah Estate winter view
Snow covered hills of Arran
Cherry Blossom
Established in 1928 as one of a number of independent Government funded research institutes set up around this time to promote the scientific development of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Initially called the Hannah Dairy Research Institute, it quickly established an international reputation for the quality of its research into milk safety production and animal nutrition. The natural progression of the Institutes science meant that research of relevance to agricultural animal science eventually expanded into new areas of biomedical research and its focus shifted to seeking to improve Scotland’s and world health by exploring and explaining the emerging links between lifestyle and lifelong health and well-being.

Following changes in core Government research funding in 2005 / 2006, the Institute is no longer able to conduct its own research onsite and since this time has embarked on an extensive programme of reorganisation, as it progresses towards becoming a research trust, with a view to awarding research grants, fellowships and studentships.

The Institute occupies a research park and agricultural estate on the North-East outskirts of Ayr, a generous bequest by the Institutes original benefactor the late John M Hannah, who donated the estate for the purposes of agricultural research and education. The funding for the establishment of the research trust will be realised through the sale of part of the research park, which has successfully obtained outline planning consent for a small-scale housing development.

The Institute remains committed to the South West of Scotland, retaining its agricultural estate and operation of its internationally renowned Journal of Dairy Research. The agricultural estate is subject to the ongoing study into and promotion of biodiversity.

Over the next year, details of the terms and conditions, and areas of research that will be funded by the new research trust, together with details of how to apply and selection criteria, will be published on this website.

Keith A J McKellar
Chief Executive
November 2009