Founded in 1972 by WJ Cairns with RA Forrester and GM Aylward, all graduates from MIT’s world leading Planning School, the practice was the first Environmental Consultancy in Scotland.  

Combining Management skills with Economics, Planning, Engineering, Environmental Sciences and the Design and Contractual disciplines, the practice has gained an international reputation for innovative solutions that meet the most stringent environmental criteria, frequently in hostile and demanding circumstances.

WJ Cairns & Associates is the winner of a number of the most prestigious UK Design and Environmental Awards (BBC, Civic Trust and Financial Times Architecture) including the Flotta and Sullom Voe Oil and Gas Terminals; Megget Reservoir and Oldside Iron and Steel Works. Winner of the first Ministry of Defence EIA commission, Cairns was the Lead Environmental Consultant for the Trident Missile and Submarine Fleet infrastructure development programme, Faslane, Scotland.

Commissioned by KazMunaiGas and World Bank, Cairns was responsible for preparing the Offshore Oil and Gas Infrastructure Development Strategy for the Caspian Sea. Cairns has completed over 20 separate commissions for national and international oil industry clients in Kazakhstan.

Cairns continues to have major involvement in North Sea Oil and Gas. Our company is leading the North Sea and North East AtlanticOffshore Oil and Gas Operations EHS research and publication project.

The company has acted as a principal advisor to National Governments for major environmental and infrastructure planning projects since 1972. We have substantial project experience in the UK, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malawi, Peru, Canada, Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Uganda, Ghana and Nigeria.