Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre (RAVIC)

RAVIC will house SRUC’s existing Centre for Epidemiology and Planetary Health, providing world leading expertise in data science, epidemiology, animal health, infectious disease control and zoonotic disease. This team will work closely with colleagues in teaching, SAC Consulting and SRUC Veterinary Services to capitalise on emerging applied funding opportunities, helping sustain rural communities and businesses by creating and retaining high value jobs.

RAVIC also forms a part of SRUC’s new Veterinary School of Medicine enabling place-based learning opportunities for the next generation of veterinarians, addressing longstanding regional employment shortages in the sector.

Sustainability was central to the building’s design, reflecting SRUC’s commitment to preserving Scotland’s natural economy and resources.  The energy used for heating is 10% that of an equivalently sized building due to high levels of insulation, airtightness, and heat recovery units.  Altogether this translates to annual carbon emissions that are 50-75% lower than those of notional buildings of a similar size, and a lifetime reduction in carbon emissions exceeding 335,000kg.  The design of the building was undertaken by Inverness-based Threesixty Architecture.