We are delighted to announce a new Scotland Polymer Study Tour, hosted by McLaren Plastics and Impact Solutions for 11-19 teachers.
The tour will include tours of both sites (an injection moulding facility and a test house) and lectures and practical activites covering the structure, properties, applications, environmental impact and processing of polymers.
In 2023 the Scotland course will run on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 June.
What will the course cover?
The Scotland Tour runs on Friday and Saturday so you only need to take one day out of schools and the typical timetable shown here.
Day 1 - Friday
1000 Arrival and refreshments
1015 Welcome and introductions
1030 Introduction to McLaren Plastics and company tour
1245 Travel to Impact Solutions
1315 Lunch
1400 Structure, properties, processing and appliations of polymers, lectures and discussion
1630 Depart to hotel and get settled
1900 Conference dinner
Day 2 - Saturday
0900 Check out and travel back to Impact Solutions
0930 Introduction to Day 2
0945 Structure, properties and processing practical activities
1045 Break
1100 Introduction to Impact Solutions and company tour
1300 Lunch
1345 Polymers and the environment
1430 Product analysis activity
1515 Break
1530 Using what you have learnt back in the classroom
1615 Feedback and discussion
1630 Course closes
Where will the course be held?
On Friday morning you should make your way to the McLaren Plastics site; we will be based there on Friday morning ahead of moving across to Impact Solutions before lunch, where we will be based for the remainder of the course.
McLaren Plastics Ltd
Pentland Industrial Estate, Loanhead, Midlothian, EH20 9QH.
You can find out more about the company at www.mclaren-plastics.co.uk and the telephone number of the site is 0131 448 2200.
Impact Solutions
Impact Technology Centre, Fraser Road, Kirkton Campus, Livingston, EH54 7BU.
You can find out more about the company at www.impact-solutions.co.uk and the telephone number of the site is 01324 489182.
After the formal sessions have concluded we will move across to the hotel where we have arranged dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation.
Mercure Livingston Hotel
Almondview, Livingson, EH54 6QB
You can find out more about the hotel at www.mercurelivingston.co.uk and the telephone number of the hotel is 01506 551950.
All refreshments and meals will be provided.
If you are travelling by public transport we will store your bags securely throughout the course and ensure you can get from one site to the other and to and from the hotel
What about travel arrangements?
We have tried to make it as easy as possible for you to get to and from the course using public transport. The McLaren Plastics site is about 6.5 miles away from Edinburgh Waverly railway station, from where you can get a taxi or walk a short distance and catch the number 37 bus to Loanhead. Find out more about transport options here: https://moovitapp.com/ and select travel between Edinburgh Station and Loanhead. For those travelling by public transport we will arrange your transfer between sites, to and from the hotel and from the site back to the station once the course has finished.
If you would prefer to travel by car there is plenty of car parking available at the company sites and hotel, though we accept no responsibility for any loss, theft or damage to your vehicle or its contents during the course.

Register to attend the 2023 Scotland Polymer Study Tour at McLaren Plastics and Impact Solutions
Friday 9 and Saturday 10 June