The Scottish Seabird Centre has been awarded a £290,000 grant to develop plans to expand the popular facility into a new national marine centre.
The charity based North Berwick, East Lothian, has been awarded development funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund which has also voiced its support for a £3.5million future bid for the project.
The "National Marine Centre" is the working title for the project to expand the conservation and education work of the centre,
The aim is to build on the charity’s existing activities and share more widely the issues affecting Scotland’s unique marine environment and wildlife.
The project will involve the extension and upgrade of the existing building to include a new education and interactive exhibition space.
Some initial design work has been undertaken, but the centre will now be conducting further research and developing plans in consultation with the local community, partners, members, visitors and funders.
The Scottish Seabird Centre opened in May 2000 and has won multiple awards for tourism, sustainability and its green credentials.
It has led a range of high profile conservation projects and provides a well-used facility for both locals and visitors all-year-round as well as supporting artists with commissions and displays.
Tom Brock, chief executive of the Scottish Seabird Centre, said: “Over the last 15 years our staff, volunteers and trustees have worked hard to develop and deliver an award-winning visitor experience and education programmes that have informed and inspired people about seabirds.
“Now we look forward to building on this success by also providing enhanced conservation and education programmes about the amazing marine environment and wildlife all around Scotland.
“We will work with the local community as well as with organisations all over Scotland to enthuse people across the country to conserve and protect our precious marine wildlife and environment for future generations.
“This is the first step in enabling us to appeal to, and work with, other funders to support this important national project that will highlight and celebrate a major part of Scotland’s outstanding natural heritage.”
Dame Seona Reid, Heritage Lottery Fund deputy chair, said the funding body is "delighted to give its initial support to this ambitious project which we hope will inspire people to look after Scotland’s amazing, and often hidden, marine heritage".
She added: “Our fascinating marine environment is of international importance and home to an extraordinary array of marine life."
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