From 2d5439964a09e5ae3742371107a95e7111065126 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:27:37 +0100
Subject: [PATCH 01/18] #32: Basic prototype callback addition

---
 lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py | 36 +++++++++++++++++++++++++-
 1 file changed, 35 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py b/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
index fb1546d..76c7fc7 100644
--- a/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
    cube.attributes['grid_staggering'].
 
 """
+import glob
 import ants
 import iris
 import mule
@@ -50,12 +51,16 @@ def __init__(self, grid_staggering):
 
     def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
         """
-        ANTS callback to add grid staggering and maintain pseudo level order.
+        ANTS callback to add grid staggering, maintain pseudo level order.
 
         Used as a callback when loading fields files for all ants.io.load
         operations (e.g. :func:`~ants.io.load.load`, :func:`~ants.io.load.load_cube`
         etc).
 
+        This callback will load additional metadata files with the naming convention:
+        filename.<metadata> and append the contents of those files to the cube
+        attributes.
+
         Parameters
         ----------
         cube : :class:`iris.cube.Cube`
@@ -68,8 +73,32 @@ def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
 
         """
         cube.attributes["grid_staggering"] = self.grid_staggering[filename]
+        metadata_files = glob.glob(filename+".*")
+        if metadata_files:
+            self._retrieve_metadata(metadata_files, cube)
         super(_CallbackUM, self).__call__(cube, field, filename)
 
+    def _retrieve_metadata(self, metadata_files, cube):
+        """
+        Reads in the contents of each file and adds an attribute to the cube with the
+        name of the file.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        metadata_files: list
+            The list of filenames that contain metadata for the cube.
+        cube : :class:`iris.cube.Cube`
+            The cube being loaded.
+
+        """
+        for metadata_file in metadata_files:
+            open_file = open(metadata_file, "r")
+            metadata = open_file.readlines()
+            open_file.close()
+            file_name_splits = str(metadata_file).split(".")
+            attribute_name = file_name_splits[-1]
+            cube.attributes[attribute_name] = metadata
+
 
 class _IrisPPFieldDataProvider(object):
     def __init__(self, ppfield):
@@ -345,8 +374,13 @@ def load_cubes(*args, **kwargs):
     :func:`iris.fileformats.um.load_cubes`
 
     """
+    #change this function
     grid_staggering = _fetch_grid_staggering_from_file(args[0])
     args, kwargs = pp._add_callback(_CallbackUM(grid_staggering), *args, **kwargs)
+    # here
+    #get the filepath - args[0]? search for files of the same name +.
+    #load in contents as attribute dictionary - in callback?
+    # add to cube
     return iris.fileformats.um.load_cubes(*args, **kwargs)
 
 

From 116ddb20866c4b730740c5065ee271f983080243 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <theo.geddes@metoffice.gov.uk>
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2025 14:23:25 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 02/18] #32: update pytest tempdir config

---
 pyproject.toml | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index ab7ed41..e5cbaf7 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ skip = ".git"
 # Configure pytest.
 [tool.pytest.ini_options]
 addopts = "--durations=5"
+tmp_path_retention_policy = "none"
 filterwarnings = [
     # During unittesting only, treat all warnings as errors by default:
     'error',

From ab3f3cca5d127d604f239bfa1f701790f11faf52 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:12:41 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 03/18] #32: Working prototype

---
 lib/ants/io/load.py | 87 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 87 insertions(+)

diff --git a/lib/ants/io/load.py b/lib/ants/io/load.py
index 6aa48d9..46d732b 100644
--- a/lib/ants/io/load.py
+++ b/lib/ants/io/load.py
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@
 """
 import copy
 import warnings
+import glob
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from functools import wraps
 
@@ -354,6 +355,23 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
                 "iris.FUTURE.datum_support flag.",
                 FutureWarning,
             )
+            user_callback = None
+            if len(args)>1:
+                user_callback = args[1]
+            else:
+                if 'callback' in kwargs:
+                    user_callback = kwargs.pop('callback')
+            if 'ignore_metadata_files' in kwargs:
+                    ignore_metadata_files = kwargs.pop('ignore_metadata_files')
+                    #Do the handling for each way a user callback can be passed in through iris
+                    if ignore_metadata_files == False:
+                        args, kwargs = _add_metadata_file_callback(user_callback, args, kwargs)
+                        #_create_callabck_metadata
+                        #do the create callback function and append to callbacks
+                        # (copy pp callbak if user callback exists then use the existing
+                        # pp callback code to append that to the ants callback)
+            else:
+                args, kwargs = _add_callback(_CallbackMetadata(user_callback), *args, **kwargs)
             # Use context manager to avoid permanently modifying iris behaviour.
             with ants_format_agent():
                 cubes = func(*args, **kwargs)
@@ -368,6 +386,75 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
 
     return load_function
 
+def _add_metadata_file_callback(user_callback, *args, **kwargs):
+    """
+    have a seperate function for loading metadata
+    if user callback is not none
+    do an update the same way as in the pp file
+    copy pp callback to be the same and add user one to run after this
+
+    """
+    args, kwargs = _add_callback(_CallbackMetadata(), *args, **kwargs)
+    return args, kwargs
+
+def _add_callback(callback, *args, **kwargs):
+    """
+    Adds both the ants callback and the user provided callback (if any) to the
+    load.
+
+    """
+    args = list(args)
+    if len(args) == 1:
+        kwargs['callback'] = callback
+    else:
+        args[2] = callback
+    args = tuple(args)
+    return args, kwargs
+
+class _CallbackMetadata(object):
+    """Callback for collecting metadata from sidecar files.
+    
+    This callback will load additional metadata files with the naming convention:
+    filename.<metadata> and append the contents of those files to the cube
+    attributes.
+    """
+    def __init__(self, user_callback):
+        self._user_callback = user_callback
+
+    def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
+        """
+        
+        """
+        metadata_filenames = ''.join([filename, ".*"])
+        metadata_files = glob.glob(metadata_filenames)
+        if metadata_files != []:
+            self._retrieve_metadata(metadata_files, cube)
+        if self._user_callback is not None:
+            self._user_callback(cube, field, filename)
+
+    def _retrieve_metadata(self, metadata_files, cube):
+        """
+        Reads in the contents of each file and adds an attribute to the cube with the
+        name of the file.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        metadata_files: list
+            The list of filenames that contain metadata for the cube.
+        cube : :class:`iris.cube.Cube`
+            The cube being loaded.
+
+        """
+        for metadata_file in metadata_files:
+            open_file = open(metadata_file, "r")
+            metadata = open_file.readlines()
+            open_file.close()
+            file_name_splits = str(metadata_file).split(".")
+            attribute_name = file_name_splits[-1]
+            cube.attributes[attribute_name] = metadata
+            with open('written_license.txt', 'a')as file:
+                file.write(''.join(metadata))
+
 
 def load_cube(*args, **kwargs):
     """

From 9af1590eaa1f9d1537fe8efc56c95ec9088d3fb0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:00:45 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 04/18] #32: Working prototype with improved logic

---
 lib/ants/io/load.py | 43 ++++++++++++++++++-------------------------
 1 file changed, 18 insertions(+), 25 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/io/load.py b/lib/ants/io/load.py
index 46d732b..605cac0 100644
--- a/lib/ants/io/load.py
+++ b/lib/ants/io/load.py
@@ -355,22 +355,19 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
                 "iris.FUTURE.datum_support flag.",
                 FutureWarning,
             )
-            user_callback = None
-            if len(args)>1:
-                user_callback = args[1]
-            else:
-                if 'callback' in kwargs:
-                    user_callback = kwargs.pop('callback')
+            ignore_metadata_files = False
             if 'ignore_metadata_files' in kwargs:
                     ignore_metadata_files = kwargs.pop('ignore_metadata_files')
-                    #Do the handling for each way a user callback can be passed in through iris
-                    if ignore_metadata_files == False:
-                        args, kwargs = _add_metadata_file_callback(user_callback, args, kwargs)
-                        #_create_callabck_metadata
-                        #do the create callback function and append to callbacks
-                        # (copy pp callbak if user callback exists then use the existing
-                        # pp callback code to append that to the ants callback)
-            else:
+            if ignore_metadata_files == False:
+                #Do the handling for each way a user callback can be passed in through iris
+                user_callback = None
+                if len(args)>1:
+                    user_callback = args[1]
+                else:
+                    if 'callback' in kwargs:
+                        user_callback = kwargs.pop('callback')
+                print("first args: ", args)
+                print("first kwargs: ", kwargs)
                 args, kwargs = _add_callback(_CallbackMetadata(user_callback), *args, **kwargs)
             # Use context manager to avoid permanently modifying iris behaviour.
             with ants_format_agent():
@@ -386,17 +383,6 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
 
     return load_function
 
-def _add_metadata_file_callback(user_callback, *args, **kwargs):
-    """
-    have a seperate function for loading metadata
-    if user callback is not none
-    do an update the same way as in the pp file
-    copy pp callback to be the same and add user one to run after this
-
-    """
-    args, kwargs = _add_callback(_CallbackMetadata(), *args, **kwargs)
-    return args, kwargs
-
 def _add_callback(callback, *args, **kwargs):
     """
     Adds both the ants callback and the user provided callback (if any) to the
@@ -404,11 +390,17 @@ def _add_callback(callback, *args, **kwargs):
 
     """
     args = list(args)
+    print(args)
+    print("len args: ", len(args))
     if len(args) == 1:
         kwargs['callback'] = callback
+    elif len(args) == 2:
+        args[1] = callback
     else:
         args[2] = callback
     args = tuple(args)
+    print("with first callback args: ", args)
+    print("with first callback kwargs: ", kwargs)
     return args, kwargs
 
 class _CallbackMetadata(object):
@@ -425,6 +417,7 @@ def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
         """
         
         """
+        print("callback has been added")
         metadata_filenames = ''.join([filename, ".*"])
         metadata_files = glob.glob(metadata_filenames)
         if metadata_files != []:

From dff558e3ad81a0058e82963cd2870158bd84029a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2025 09:35:14 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 05/18] #32: Update argument handler to correctly pass in user
 callback

---
 lib/ants/io/load.py | 9 ++++-----
 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/io/load.py b/lib/ants/io/load.py
index 605cac0..84c3339 100644
--- a/lib/ants/io/load.py
+++ b/lib/ants/io/load.py
@@ -361,8 +361,8 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
             if ignore_metadata_files == False:
                 #Do the handling for each way a user callback can be passed in through iris
                 user_callback = None
-                if len(args)>1:
-                    user_callback = args[1]
+                if len(args)==3:
+                    user_callback = args[2]
                 else:
                     if 'callback' in kwargs:
                         user_callback = kwargs.pop('callback')
@@ -394,9 +394,7 @@ def _add_callback(callback, *args, **kwargs):
     print("len args: ", len(args))
     if len(args) == 1:
         kwargs['callback'] = callback
-    elif len(args) == 2:
-        args[1] = callback
-    else:
+    elif len(args) == 3:
         args[2] = callback
     args = tuple(args)
     print("with first callback args: ", args)
@@ -423,6 +421,7 @@ def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
         if metadata_files != []:
             self._retrieve_metadata(metadata_files, cube)
         if self._user_callback is not None:
+            print("should have added user callback")
             self._user_callback(cube, field, filename)
 
     def _retrieve_metadata(self, metadata_files, cube):

From de3d650d10c4c3cba312ba7b47eb98962d52c9ba Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:02:33 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 06/18] #32: revert changes to the ancil loading

---
 lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py | 34 --------------------------
 1 file changed, 34 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py b/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
index 76c7fc7..abc31bc 100644
--- a/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
@@ -57,10 +57,6 @@ def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
         operations (e.g. :func:`~ants.io.load.load`, :func:`~ants.io.load.load_cube`
         etc).
 
-        This callback will load additional metadata files with the naming convention:
-        filename.<metadata> and append the contents of those files to the cube
-        attributes.
-
         Parameters
         ----------
         cube : :class:`iris.cube.Cube`
@@ -73,33 +69,8 @@ def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
 
         """
         cube.attributes["grid_staggering"] = self.grid_staggering[filename]
-        metadata_files = glob.glob(filename+".*")
-        if metadata_files:
-            self._retrieve_metadata(metadata_files, cube)
         super(_CallbackUM, self).__call__(cube, field, filename)
 
-    def _retrieve_metadata(self, metadata_files, cube):
-        """
-        Reads in the contents of each file and adds an attribute to the cube with the
-        name of the file.
-
-        Parameters
-        ----------
-        metadata_files: list
-            The list of filenames that contain metadata for the cube.
-        cube : :class:`iris.cube.Cube`
-            The cube being loaded.
-
-        """
-        for metadata_file in metadata_files:
-            open_file = open(metadata_file, "r")
-            metadata = open_file.readlines()
-            open_file.close()
-            file_name_splits = str(metadata_file).split(".")
-            attribute_name = file_name_splits[-1]
-            cube.attributes[attribute_name] = metadata
-
-
 class _IrisPPFieldDataProvider(object):
     def __init__(self, ppfield):
         self.ppfield = ppfield
@@ -374,13 +345,8 @@ def load_cubes(*args, **kwargs):
     :func:`iris.fileformats.um.load_cubes`
 
     """
-    #change this function
     grid_staggering = _fetch_grid_staggering_from_file(args[0])
     args, kwargs = pp._add_callback(_CallbackUM(grid_staggering), *args, **kwargs)
-    # here
-    #get the filepath - args[0]? search for files of the same name +.
-    #load in contents as attribute dictionary - in callback?
-    # add to cube
     return iris.fileformats.um.load_cubes(*args, **kwargs)
 
 

From 877a88ebcb1c1ead0ef658a691de91fab14068c8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:52:05 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 07/18] #32: Add etsts for new loading functionality

---
 lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py        |  1 +
 lib/ants/io/load.py                           | 43 ++++++----
 .../tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py   |  5 +-
 .../tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py    | 83 +++++++++++++++++++
 4 files changed, 113 insertions(+), 19 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py

diff --git a/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py b/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
index abc31bc..056b6cf 100644
--- a/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
         cube.attributes["grid_staggering"] = self.grid_staggering[filename]
         super(_CallbackUM, self).__call__(cube, field, filename)
 
+
 class _IrisPPFieldDataProvider(object):
     def __init__(self, ppfield):
         self.ppfield = ppfield
diff --git a/lib/ants/io/load.py b/lib/ants/io/load.py
index 84c3339..6d760e2 100644
--- a/lib/ants/io/load.py
+++ b/lib/ants/io/load.py
@@ -356,19 +356,27 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
                 FutureWarning,
             )
             ignore_metadata_files = False
-            if 'ignore_metadata_files' in kwargs:
-                    ignore_metadata_files = kwargs.pop('ignore_metadata_files')
+            if "ignore_metadata_files" in kwargs:
+                ignore_metadata_files = kwargs.pop("ignore_metadata_files")
+            print(
+                "ignore metadata files: ",
+                ignore_metadata_files,
+                type(ignore_metadata_files),
+            )
             if ignore_metadata_files == False:
-                #Do the handling for each way a user callback can be passed in through iris
+                print("doing the thing")
+                # Do the handling for each way a user callback can be passed in through iris
                 user_callback = None
-                if len(args)==3:
+                if len(args) == 3:
                     user_callback = args[2]
                 else:
-                    if 'callback' in kwargs:
-                        user_callback = kwargs.pop('callback')
+                    if "callback" in kwargs:
+                        user_callback = kwargs.pop("callback")
                 print("first args: ", args)
                 print("first kwargs: ", kwargs)
-                args, kwargs = _add_callback(_CallbackMetadata(user_callback), *args, **kwargs)
+                args, kwargs = _add_callback(
+                    _CallbackMetadata(user_callback), *args, **kwargs
+                )
             # Use context manager to avoid permanently modifying iris behaviour.
             with ants_format_agent():
                 cubes = func(*args, **kwargs)
@@ -383,40 +391,39 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
 
     return load_function
 
+
 def _add_callback(callback, *args, **kwargs):
     """
     Adds both the ants callback and the user provided callback (if any) to the
     load.
-
     """
     args = list(args)
-    print(args)
-    print("len args: ", len(args))
     if len(args) == 1:
-        kwargs['callback'] = callback
+        kwargs["callback"] = callback
     elif len(args) == 3:
         args[2] = callback
     args = tuple(args)
-    print("with first callback args: ", args)
-    print("with first callback kwargs: ", kwargs)
     return args, kwargs
 
+
 class _CallbackMetadata(object):
     """Callback for collecting metadata from sidecar files.
-    
+
     This callback will load additional metadata files with the naming convention:
     filename.<metadata> and append the contents of those files to the cube
     attributes.
     """
+
     def __init__(self, user_callback):
         self._user_callback = user_callback
 
     def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
         """
-        
+        The method that runs when iris runs the callback. Collects the filenames and
+        will run the user callback
         """
         print("callback has been added")
-        metadata_filenames = ''.join([filename, ".*"])
+        metadata_filenames = "".join([filename, ".*"])
         metadata_files = glob.glob(metadata_filenames)
         if metadata_files != []:
             self._retrieve_metadata(metadata_files, cube)
@@ -444,8 +451,8 @@ def _retrieve_metadata(self, metadata_files, cube):
             file_name_splits = str(metadata_file).split(".")
             attribute_name = file_name_splits[-1]
             cube.attributes[attribute_name] = metadata
-            with open('written_license.txt', 'a')as file:
-                file.write(''.join(metadata))
+            with open("written_license.txt", "a") as file:
+                file.write("".join(metadata))
 
 
 def load_cube(*args, **kwargs):
diff --git a/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py b/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py
index 628299d..a93d964 100644
--- a/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py
+++ b/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@
 # See LICENSE.txt in the root of the repository for full licensing details.
 
 import unittest.mock as mock
+import tempfile
+import os
+import pytest
 
 import ants.tests
 import iris
@@ -18,7 +21,7 @@ def setUp(self):
     def call(self):
         callback = CallbackPP()
         callback.append_user_callback(self.user_callback)
-        callback(self.cube, mock.sentinel.field, mock.sentinel.filename)
+        callback(self.cube, mock.sentinel.field, "filename")
 
     def test__freeze_pseudo_level_is_called_if_pseudo_level_present(self):
         pseudo_level = iris.coords.DimCoord([0], long_name="pseudo_level")
diff --git a/lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py b/lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50a3c5b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+"""
+Includes tests for end-to-end functionality of CallbackMetadata as well as calling the
+class directly.
+"""
+
+import ants.io.load
+import iris
+import pytest
+import unittest.mock as mock
+
+
+def test_metadata_files_added_to_attributes(tmp_path):
+    """Tests that metadata files are found and added to the cube's attributes."""
+    # The text that would be in a license file
+    license_text = """This is the license of the cube.
+
+    It should be preserved and added to the cube when loaded.
+    """
+    # How the text should look while stored in an array
+    loaded_license = [
+        "This is the license of the cube.\n",
+        "\n",
+        "    It should be preserved and added to the cube when loaded.\n",
+        "    ",
+    ]
+    test_cube = ants.tests.stock.geodetic(shape=(2, 2))
+    temporary_cube_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.pp"
+    iris.save(test_cube, str(temporary_cube_path))
+    temporary_license_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.pp.license"
+    temporary_license_path.write_text(license_text, encoding="utf-8")
+    loaded_test_cube = ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path)
+    assert loaded_test_cube.attributes["license"] == loaded_license
+
+
+def test_no_metadata_loaded(tmp_path):
+    """Tests that metadata files are not loaded when the option is turned off."""
+    # The text that would be in a license file
+    license_text = """This is the license of the cube.
+
+    It should be preserved and added to the cube when loaded.
+    """
+    test_cube = ants.tests.stock.geodetic(shape=(2, 2))
+    temporary_cube_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.pp"
+    iris.save(test_cube, str(temporary_cube_path))
+    temporary_license_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.pp.license"
+    temporary_license_path.write_text(license_text, encoding="utf-8")
+    loaded_test_cube = ants.io.load.load_cube(
+        temporary_cube_path, ignore_metadata_files=True
+    )
+    with pytest.raises(KeyError):
+        loaded_test_cube.attributes["license"]
+
+
+def test_user_callback_added():
+    """Test that on ititialisation, the user's function will be set."""
+
+    def user_callback(cube, field, filename):
+        print("a user's callback, passed in")
+
+    class_instance = ants.io.load._CallbackMetadata(user_callback)
+    assert class_instance._user_callback == user_callback
+
+
+def test_args_parsed_correctly_with_kwargs(tmp_path):
+    """Tests that when passed a callback using a keyword argument,
+    the callback is parsed correctly."""
+    mock_callback = mock.Mock()
+    test_cube = ants.tests.stock.geodetic(shape=(2, 2))
+    temporary_cube_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.pp"
+    iris.save(test_cube, str(temporary_cube_path))
+    ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path, callback=mock_callback)
+    mock_callback.assert_called()
+
+
+def test_args_parsed_correctly_with_positional_args(tmp_path):
+    """Tests that when passed a callback using a keyword argument,
+    the callback is parsed correctly."""
+    mock_callback = mock.Mock()
+    test_cube = ants.tests.stock.geodetic(shape=(2, 2))
+    temporary_cube_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.pp"
+    iris.save(test_cube, str(temporary_cube_path))
+    ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path, None, mock_callback)
+    mock_callback.assert_called()

From fa39ac105e20ddc8bab7e7405a6921541703dda2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:53:50 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 08/18] #32: Revert changes to ancil/__init__.py

---
 lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py | 3 +--
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py b/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
index 056b6cf..fb1546d 100644
--- a/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/ants/fileformats/ancil/__init__.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
    cube.attributes['grid_staggering'].
 
 """
-import glob
 import ants
 import iris
 import mule
@@ -51,7 +50,7 @@ def __init__(self, grid_staggering):
 
     def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
         """
-        ANTS callback to add grid staggering, maintain pseudo level order.
+        ANTS callback to add grid staggering and maintain pseudo level order.
 
         Used as a callback when loading fields files for all ants.io.load
         operations (e.g. :func:`~ants.io.load.load`, :func:`~ants.io.load.load_cube`

From 4c354b716c13d8b84d8781da724eb73b8dcde5d9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:57:47 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 09/18] #32: Revert pp tests

---
 lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py b/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py
index a93d964..4fd5b03 100644
--- a/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py
+++ b/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def setUp(self):
     def call(self):
         callback = CallbackPP()
         callback.append_user_callback(self.user_callback)
-        callback(self.cube, mock.sentinel.field, "filename")
+        callback(self.cube, mock.sentinel.field, mock.sentinel.filename)
 
     def test__freeze_pseudo_level_is_called_if_pseudo_level_present(self):
         pseudo_level = iris.coords.DimCoord([0], long_name="pseudo_level")

From 3dc860b794ead77f0365772e8be49e9586ef7d06 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2025 11:58:11 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 10/18] #32: Remove unused imports

---
 lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py | 3 ---
 1 file changed, 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py b/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py
index 4fd5b03..628299d 100644
--- a/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py
+++ b/lib/ants/tests/fileformats/pp/test_CallbackPP.py
@@ -4,9 +4,6 @@
 # See LICENSE.txt in the root of the repository for full licensing details.
 
 import unittest.mock as mock
-import tempfile
-import os
-import pytest
 
 import ants.tests
 import iris

From da8e951718cffbfc4cc03f8576758e443651ddc3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:19:40 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 11/18] #32: Commit to save work on adding new load
 functionality to command line applications

---
 lib/ants/cli/ancil_2anc.py           |  9 +++++----
 lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py   |  8 ++++++--
 lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py |  9 ++++++++-
 lib/ants/command_parse.py            | 12 ++++++++++++
 lib/ants/io/load.py                  |  2 ++
 5 files changed, 33 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_2anc.py b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_2anc.py
index 60deaa1..84e4f54 100755
--- a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_2anc.py
+++ b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_2anc.py
@@ -37,16 +37,16 @@
 import iris
 
 
-def load_data(source):
+def load_data(source, ignore_metadata_files):
     with warnings.catch_warnings():
         warnings.filterwarnings(
             "ignore", "NetCDF default loading", iris._deprecation.IrisDeprecation
         )
-        cubes = ants.io.load.load(source)
+        cubes = ants.io.load.load(source, ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files)
     return cubes
 
 
-def main(source_path, output_path, grid_staggering, netcdf_only):
+def main(source_path, output_path, grid_staggering, netcdf_only, ignore_metadata_files):
     """
     Convert specified source file to an ancillary.
 
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ def main(source_path, output_path, grid_staggering, netcdf_only):
         written to an ancillary.
 
     """
-    source_cubes = load_data(source_path)
+    source_cubes = load_data(source_path, ignore_metadata_files)
     if grid_staggering is not None:
         for source_cube in source_cubes:
             source_cube.attributes["grid_staggering"] = grid_staggering
@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@ def cli_interface():
         args.output,
         args.grid_staggering,
         args.netcdf_only,
+        args.ignore_metadata_files
     )
 
 
diff --git a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
index 9bb7cea..41333ab 100755
--- a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
+++ b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 
 def load_data(
     primary_source,
+    ignore_metadata_files,
     alternate_source=None,
     validity_polygon_filepath=None,
     target_mask_filepath=None,
@@ -56,12 +57,12 @@ def load_data(
         respectively.
 
     """
-    primary_cubes = ants.io.load.load(primary_source)
+    primary_cubes = ants.io.load.load(primary_source, ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files)
     if begin is not None:
         primary_cubes = create_time_constrained_cubes(primary_cubes, begin, end)
     alternate_cubes = None
     if alternate_source:
-        alternate_cubes = ants.io.load.load(alternate_source)
+        alternate_cubes = ants.io.load.load(alternate_source,ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files)
         if begin is not None:
             alternate_cubes = create_time_constrained_cubes(alternate_cubes, begin, end)
 
@@ -96,6 +97,7 @@ def main(
     end,
     netcdf_only,
     search_method,
+    ignore_metadata_files
 ):
     """
     Perform merge and fill operation on the provided sources.
@@ -159,6 +161,7 @@ def main(
         land_fraction_threshold,
         begin,
         end,
+        ignore_metadata_files
     )
 
     result = primary_cubes
@@ -251,6 +254,7 @@ def cli_interface():
         end=args.end,
         netcdf_only=args.netcdf_only,
         search_method=args.search_method,
+        ignore_metadata_files=args.ignore_metadata_files
     )
 
 
diff --git a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py
index 7f6bd86..01fe332 100755
--- a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py
+++ b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py
@@ -37,13 +37,14 @@
 
 def load_data(
     source,
+    ignore_metadata_files,
     target_grid=None,
     target_landseamask=None,
     land_fraction_threshold=None,
     begin=None,
     end=None,
 ):
-    source_cubes = ants.io.load.load(source)
+    source_cubes = ants.io.load.load(source, ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files)
     if begin is not None:
         source_cubes = create_time_constrained_cubes(source_cubes, begin, end)
     if target_grid:
@@ -76,6 +77,7 @@ def main(
     save_ukca,
     netcdf_only,
     search_method,
+    ignore_metadata_files,
 ):
     """
     General regrid application top level call function.
@@ -118,6 +120,9 @@ def main(
         provided source(s) consistent with the provided land sea mask.
         This should only be provided if a target land sea mask is also
         provided via target_lsm_path.
+    invert_mask : :obj:`bool`, optional
+        When set to True, files containing metadata will not be loaded alongside data
+        and added as attributes to the cube.
 
     Returns
     -------
@@ -132,6 +137,7 @@ def main(
         land_fraction_threshold,
         begin,
         end,
+        ignore_metadata_files,
     )
     if ants.utils.cube._is_ugrid(target_cube):
         raise ValueError(
@@ -210,6 +216,7 @@ def cli_interface():
         args.save_ukca,
         args.netcdf_only,
         args.search_method,
+        args.ignore_metadata_files,
     )
 
 
diff --git a/lib/ants/command_parse.py b/lib/ants/command_parse.py
index 2a3a01c..3a58ed3 100644
--- a/lib/ants/command_parse.py
+++ b/lib/ants/command_parse.py
@@ -33,6 +33,11 @@ def __init__(self, target_lsm=False, target_grid=False, time_constraints=False):
             sources <SOURCE1> <SOURCE2> ... <SOURCEN>     Source data path(s).
             --output <OUTPUT>, -o <OUTPUT>                Output filepath
             --ants-config <ANTS_CONFIG>                   Configuration path.
+            --ignore-metadata-files                       Stops the application from
+                                                          searching for metadata files
+                                                          with the same name as the
+                                                          source and loading them
+                                                          alongside the source.
 
         Additionally, there are standardised optional arguments and these are
         activated by passing the relevant keyword argument.  See 'Parameters'
@@ -171,6 +176,13 @@ def __init__(self, target_lsm=False, target_grid=False, time_constraints=False):
             help="Only write out a netCDF file.",
             required=False,
         )
+        self.add_argument(
+            "--ignore-metadata-files",
+            action="store_true",
+            help="Turn off the automatic loading of metadata files alongside source "
+            "files",
+            required=False,
+        )
         if time_constraints:
             self.add_argument(
                 "--begin",
diff --git a/lib/ants/io/load.py b/lib/ants/io/load.py
index ee54bc4..155c2f7 100644
--- a/lib/ants/io/load.py
+++ b/lib/ants/io/load.py
@@ -357,6 +357,8 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
                 FutureWarning,
             )
             ignore_metadata_files = False
+            print("args: ", args)
+            print("kwargs: ", kwargs)
             if "ignore_metadata_files" in kwargs:
                 ignore_metadata_files = kwargs.pop("ignore_metadata_files")
             print(

From 79793eed4dd947f9a8ed7095c56a23a8a26bb9cf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2026 12:42:58 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 12/18] #32: Working rose stem with new load functionality

---
 lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py                 |  7 ++++---
 lib/ants/io/load.py                                  | 12 ++++++++----
 rose-stem/app/ancil_2anc/rose-app.conf               |  2 +-
 rose-stem/app/ancil_create_shapefile/rose-app.conf   |  2 +-
 .../ancil_fill_n_merge/opt/rose-app-invert_mask.conf |  2 +-
 .../ancil_fill_n_merge/opt/rose-app-land_cover.conf  |  2 +-
 .../opt/rose-app-grid_to_grid.conf                   |  2 +-
 .../opt/rose-app-invert_mask.conf                    |  2 +-
 rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/rose-app.conf     |  2 +-
 .../rose-app.conf                                    |  2 +-
 10 files changed, 20 insertions(+), 15 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py
index 01fe332..94ec6e1 100755
--- a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py
+++ b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py
@@ -37,18 +37,19 @@
 
 def load_data(
     source,
-    ignore_metadata_files,
     target_grid=None,
     target_landseamask=None,
     land_fraction_threshold=None,
     begin=None,
     end=None,
+    ignore_metadata_files=None,
 ):
     source_cubes = ants.io.load.load(source, ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files)
     if begin is not None:
         source_cubes = create_time_constrained_cubes(source_cubes, begin, end)
     if target_grid:
-        target_cube = ants.io.load.load_grid(target_grid)
+        target_cube = ants.io.load.load_grid(target_grid,
+                                             ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files)
     else:
         target_cube = ants.io.load.load_landsea_mask(
             target_landseamask, land_fraction_threshold
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ def main(
         provided source(s) consistent with the provided land sea mask.
         This should only be provided if a target land sea mask is also
         provided via target_lsm_path.
-    invert_mask : :obj:`bool`, optional
+    ignore_metadata_files : :obj:`bool`, optional
         When set to True, files containing metadata will not be loaded alongside data
         and added as attributes to the cube.
 
diff --git a/lib/ants/io/load.py b/lib/ants/io/load.py
index 155c2f7..5dca7d9 100644
--- a/lib/ants/io/load.py
+++ b/lib/ants/io/load.py
@@ -232,18 +232,18 @@ def load_landsea_mask(filename, land_threshold=None):
     """
     try:
         # Is it a landsea mask field?
-        lbm = ants.io.load.load_cube(filename, "land_binary_mask")
+        lbm = ants.io.load.load_cube(filename, "land_binary_mask", ignore_metadata_files=True)
         lbm = lbm.copy(lbm.data.astype("bool", copy=False))
     except iris.exceptions.ConstraintMismatchError:
         try:
             # Is it a land fraction field?
-            land_fraction = ants.io.load.load_cube(filename, "vegetation_area_fraction")
+            land_fraction = ants.io.load.load_cube(filename, "vegetation_area_fraction",ignore_metadata_files=True)
             lbm = land_fraction.copy(land_fraction.data > land_threshold)
             lbm.rename("land_binary_mask")
         except iris.exceptions.ConstraintMismatchError:
             # It looks like we are wanting to extract a landsea mask from some
             # other field.
-            cube = ants.io.load.load(filename)[0]
+            cube = ants.io.load.load(filename, ignore_metadata_files=True)[0]
             y = cube.coord(axis="y")
             x = cube.coord(axis="x")
             cube = cube.slices((y, x)).next()
@@ -357,9 +357,13 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
                 FutureWarning,
             )
             ignore_metadata_files = False
+            print("the func: ", func)
             print("args: ", args)
             print("kwargs: ", kwargs)
-            if "ignore_metadata_files" in kwargs:
+            print("boo")
+            print('ignore_metadata_files' in kwargs)
+            if 'ignore_metadata_files' in kwargs:
+                print("its here!!!")
                 ignore_metadata_files = kwargs.pop("ignore_metadata_files")
             print(
                 "ignore metadata files: ",
diff --git a/rose-stem/app/ancil_2anc/rose-app.conf b/rose-stem/app/ancil_2anc/rose-app.conf
index 7ab4ed0..60f9ee4 100644
--- a/rose-stem/app/ancil_2anc/rose-app.conf
+++ b/rose-stem/app/ancil_2anc/rose-app.conf
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ history=${CYLC_WORKFLOW_ID}@${ROSE_SUITE_REVISION}:${ROSE_TASK_NAME}
 [command]
 default=ants-launch ancil_2anc.py \
        =${source} --grid-staggering ${grid_staggering} -o ${output} \
-       =--ants-config ${ANTS_CONFIG}
+       =--ants-config ${ANTS_CONFIG} --ignore-metadata-files
 
 [env]
 ANTS_CONFIG=rose-app-run.conf
diff --git a/rose-stem/app/ancil_create_shapefile/rose-app.conf b/rose-stem/app/ancil_create_shapefile/rose-app.conf
index 4f37bbf..ac0bbe0 100644
--- a/rose-stem/app/ancil_create_shapefile/rose-app.conf
+++ b/rose-stem/app/ancil_create_shapefile/rose-app.conf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 [command]
-default=ants-launch ancil_create_shapefile.py ${SHAPEFILE_JSON} ${OUTPUT}
+default=ants-launch ancil_create_shapefile.py ${SHAPEFILE_JSON} ${OUTPUT} --ignore-metadata-files
 
 [env]
 OUTPUT=${ROSE_DATA}/ite.shp
diff --git a/rose-stem/app/ancil_fill_n_merge/opt/rose-app-invert_mask.conf b/rose-stem/app/ancil_fill_n_merge/opt/rose-app-invert_mask.conf
index 5d8e792..88b6cc2 100644
--- a/rose-stem/app/ancil_fill_n_merge/opt/rose-app-invert_mask.conf
+++ b/rose-stem/app/ancil_fill_n_merge/opt/rose-app-invert_mask.conf
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 default=ants-launch ancil_fill_n_merge.py \
        =${source} --target-lsm ${target} -o ${output} \
        =--ants-config ${ANTS_CONFIG} --invert-mask \
-       =--search-method ${search_method}
+       =--search-method ${search_method} --ignore-metadata-files
 
 [env]
 search_method=${CYLC_TASK_PARAM_fill}
diff --git a/rose-stem/app/ancil_fill_n_merge/opt/rose-app-land_cover.conf b/rose-stem/app/ancil_fill_n_merge/opt/rose-app-land_cover.conf
index 4db75a3..bd71de6 100644
--- a/rose-stem/app/ancil_fill_n_merge/opt/rose-app-land_cover.conf
+++ b/rose-stem/app/ancil_fill_n_merge/opt/rose-app-land_cover.conf
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 [command]
 default=ants-launch ancil_fill_n_merge.py \
        =${source} --target-lsm ${target} --polygon ${polygon} -o ${output} \
-       =--ants-config ${ANTS_CONFIG} --search-method ${search_method}
+       =--ants-config ${ANTS_CONFIG} --search-method ${search_method} --ignore-metadata-files
 
 [env]
 polygon=${ROSE_DATA}/ite.shp
diff --git a/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/opt/rose-app-grid_to_grid.conf b/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/opt/rose-app-grid_to_grid.conf
index 23bc985..78e6087 100644
--- a/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/opt/rose-app-grid_to_grid.conf
+++ b/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/opt/rose-app-grid_to_grid.conf
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 [command]
 default=ants-launch ancil_general_regrid.py \
        =${source} -o ${output} --ants-config ${ANTS_CONFIG} --target-${target_type} ${target} \
-       =${begin} ${end} --search-method ${search_method}
+       =${begin} ${end} --search-method ${search_method} --ignore-metadata-files
 
 [env]
 output=${ROSE_DATA}/${ROSE_TASK_NAME}
diff --git a/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/opt/rose-app-invert_mask.conf b/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/opt/rose-app-invert_mask.conf
index 9a4c4ba..5a7fd0e 100644
--- a/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/opt/rose-app-invert_mask.conf
+++ b/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/opt/rose-app-invert_mask.conf
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 [command]
 default=ants-launch ancil_general_regrid.py \
        =${source} -o ${output} --ants-config ${ANTS_CONFIG} --target-${target_type} ${target} \
-       =--invert-mask ${begin} ${end} --search-method ${search_method}
+       =--invert-mask ${begin} ${end} --search-method ${search_method} --ignore-metadata-files
 
 [env]
 output=${ROSE_DATA}/${ROSE_TASK_NAME}
diff --git a/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/rose-app.conf b/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/rose-app.conf
index fb1a949..778e84f 100644
--- a/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/rose-app.conf
+++ b/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid/rose-app.conf
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ scheme=TwoStage
 [command]
 default=ants-launch ancil_general_regrid.py \
        =${source} -o ${output} --ants-config ${ANTS_CONFIG} --target-${target_type} ${target} \
-       =${begin} ${end}
+       =${begin} ${end} --ignore-metadata-files
 
 [env]
 ANTS_CONFIG=rose-app-run.conf
diff --git a/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid_with_time_constraint/rose-app.conf b/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid_with_time_constraint/rose-app.conf
index 6f166bd..ad44222 100644
--- a/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid_with_time_constraint/rose-app.conf
+++ b/rose-stem/app/ancil_general_regrid_with_time_constraint/rose-app.conf
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ scheme=TwoStage
 [command]
 default=ants-launch ancil_general_regrid.py \
        =${source} -o ${output} --ants-config ${ANTS_CONFIG} --target-${target_type} ${target} \
-       =--begin ${begin} --end ${end} --search-method ${search_method}
+       =--begin ${begin} --end ${end} --search-method ${search_method} --ignore-metadata-files
 
 [env]
 ANTS_CONFIG=rose-app-run.conf

From 119dfcf8154e12e4857b6f30592513ff71a80f69 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2026 13:16:50 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 13/18] #32: Run black

---
 lib/ants/cli/ancil_2anc.py           |  2 +-
 lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py   | 14 +++++++++-----
 lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py |  9 ++++++---
 lib/ants/io/load.py                  | 12 ++++++++----
 4 files changed, 24 insertions(+), 13 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_2anc.py b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_2anc.py
index 84e4f54..48a6f05 100755
--- a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_2anc.py
+++ b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_2anc.py
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ def cli_interface():
         args.output,
         args.grid_staggering,
         args.netcdf_only,
-        args.ignore_metadata_files
+        args.ignore_metadata_files,
     )
 
 
diff --git a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
index 41333ab..4f15bd1 100755
--- a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
+++ b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
@@ -57,12 +57,16 @@ def load_data(
         respectively.
 
     """
-    primary_cubes = ants.io.load.load(primary_source, ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files)
+    primary_cubes = ants.io.load.load(
+        primary_source, ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files
+    )
     if begin is not None:
         primary_cubes = create_time_constrained_cubes(primary_cubes, begin, end)
     alternate_cubes = None
     if alternate_source:
-        alternate_cubes = ants.io.load.load(alternate_source,ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files)
+        alternate_cubes = ants.io.load.load(
+            alternate_source, ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files
+        )
         if begin is not None:
             alternate_cubes = create_time_constrained_cubes(alternate_cubes, begin, end)
 
@@ -97,7 +101,7 @@ def main(
     end,
     netcdf_only,
     search_method,
-    ignore_metadata_files
+    ignore_metadata_files,
 ):
     """
     Perform merge and fill operation on the provided sources.
@@ -161,7 +165,7 @@ def main(
         land_fraction_threshold,
         begin,
         end,
-        ignore_metadata_files
+        ignore_metadata_files,
     )
 
     result = primary_cubes
@@ -254,7 +258,7 @@ def cli_interface():
         end=args.end,
         netcdf_only=args.netcdf_only,
         search_method=args.search_method,
-        ignore_metadata_files=args.ignore_metadata_files
+        ignore_metadata_files=args.ignore_metadata_files,
     )
 
 
diff --git a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py
index 94ec6e1..dd84790 100755
--- a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py
+++ b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_general_regrid.py
@@ -44,12 +44,15 @@ def load_data(
     end=None,
     ignore_metadata_files=None,
 ):
-    source_cubes = ants.io.load.load(source, ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files)
+    source_cubes = ants.io.load.load(
+        source, ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files
+    )
     if begin is not None:
         source_cubes = create_time_constrained_cubes(source_cubes, begin, end)
     if target_grid:
-        target_cube = ants.io.load.load_grid(target_grid,
-                                             ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files)
+        target_cube = ants.io.load.load_grid(
+            target_grid, ignore_metadata_files=ignore_metadata_files
+        )
     else:
         target_cube = ants.io.load.load_landsea_mask(
             target_landseamask, land_fraction_threshold
diff --git a/lib/ants/io/load.py b/lib/ants/io/load.py
index 5dca7d9..1a69025 100644
--- a/lib/ants/io/load.py
+++ b/lib/ants/io/load.py
@@ -232,12 +232,16 @@ def load_landsea_mask(filename, land_threshold=None):
     """
     try:
         # Is it a landsea mask field?
-        lbm = ants.io.load.load_cube(filename, "land_binary_mask", ignore_metadata_files=True)
+        lbm = ants.io.load.load_cube(
+            filename, "land_binary_mask", ignore_metadata_files=True
+        )
         lbm = lbm.copy(lbm.data.astype("bool", copy=False))
     except iris.exceptions.ConstraintMismatchError:
         try:
             # Is it a land fraction field?
-            land_fraction = ants.io.load.load_cube(filename, "vegetation_area_fraction",ignore_metadata_files=True)
+            land_fraction = ants.io.load.load_cube(
+                filename, "vegetation_area_fraction", ignore_metadata_files=True
+            )
             lbm = land_fraction.copy(land_fraction.data > land_threshold)
             lbm.rename("land_binary_mask")
         except iris.exceptions.ConstraintMismatchError:
@@ -361,8 +365,8 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
             print("args: ", args)
             print("kwargs: ", kwargs)
             print("boo")
-            print('ignore_metadata_files' in kwargs)
-            if 'ignore_metadata_files' in kwargs:
+            print("ignore_metadata_files" in kwargs)
+            if "ignore_metadata_files" in kwargs:
                 print("its here!!!")
                 ignore_metadata_files = kwargs.pop("ignore_metadata_files")
             print(

From 04b3f9c2359f3c9d4ce2c4149c87b9533a390d7e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2026 13:17:23 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 14/18] #32: Remove unneeded argument flag

---
 rose-stem/app/ancil_create_shapefile/rose-app.conf | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/rose-stem/app/ancil_create_shapefile/rose-app.conf b/rose-stem/app/ancil_create_shapefile/rose-app.conf
index ac0bbe0..4f37bbf 100644
--- a/rose-stem/app/ancil_create_shapefile/rose-app.conf
+++ b/rose-stem/app/ancil_create_shapefile/rose-app.conf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 [command]
-default=ants-launch ancil_create_shapefile.py ${SHAPEFILE_JSON} ${OUTPUT} --ignore-metadata-files
+default=ants-launch ancil_create_shapefile.py ${SHAPEFILE_JSON} ${OUTPUT}
 
 [env]
 OUTPUT=${ROSE_DATA}/ite.shp

From abcdeae83cc29145609835d1739c8618fec20f9e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2026 09:38:27 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 15/18] #32: Fix to work with unittests

---
 lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py            |  2 +-
 lib/ants/io/load.py                           |  2 ++
 .../tests/command_parse/test_integration.py   | 34 +++++++++++++++++++
 3 files changed, 37 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
index 4f15bd1..3fee185 100755
--- a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
+++ b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
@@ -19,13 +19,13 @@
 
 def load_data(
     primary_source,
-    ignore_metadata_files,
     alternate_source=None,
     validity_polygon_filepath=None,
     target_mask_filepath=None,
     land_fraction_threshold=None,
     begin=None,
     end=None,
+    ignore_metadata_files=None
 ):
     """
     Load the necessary data for performing a merge and fill operation.
diff --git a/lib/ants/io/load.py b/lib/ants/io/load.py
index 1a69025..0753226 100644
--- a/lib/ants/io/load.py
+++ b/lib/ants/io/load.py
@@ -434,6 +434,8 @@ def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
         will run the user callback
         """
         print("callback has been added")
+        if type(filename) is list:
+            filename = filename[0]
         metadata_filenames = "".join([filename, ".*"])
         metadata_files = glob.glob(metadata_filenames)
         if metadata_files != []:
diff --git a/lib/ants/tests/command_parse/test_integration.py b/lib/ants/tests/command_parse/test_integration.py
index 31105ab..cd5f50c 100644
--- a/lib/ants/tests/command_parse/test_integration.py
+++ b/lib/ants/tests/command_parse/test_integration.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ def setUp(self):
         self.addCleanup(patch.stop)
 
     def test_default_args(self):
+        """Tests that the default arguments are as expected."""
         new = [
             "program",
             "/path/to/source",
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ def path_check(filename, **kwargs):
             output="/path/to/output",
             sources=["/path/to/source"],
             netcdf_only=False,
+            ignore_metadata_files=False,
         )
         self.assertFalse(self.mock_config.called)
         self.assertEqual(args, target_args)
@@ -69,6 +71,7 @@ def test_add_args(self):
             output="/path/to/output",
             ants_config=None,
             netcdf_only=False,
+            ignore_metadata_files=False,
             new_arg="new_arg_value",
         )
         self.assertEqual(args, target_args)
@@ -150,6 +153,7 @@ def test_invalid_output_same_file(self):
         self.mock_dirpath_writeable.assert_called_once()
 
     def test_time_constraint_args(self):
+        """Tests that using time constraint arguments will be correctly parsed."""
         new = [
             "program",
             "/path/to/source",
@@ -176,11 +180,13 @@ def test_time_constraint_args(self):
             begin=2016,
             end=2021,
             netcdf_only=False,
+            ignore_metadata_files=False,
         )
         self.assertFalse(self.mock_config.called)
         self.assertEqual(args, target_args)
 
     def test_time_constraint_flags(self):
+        """Tests that using time constraint flags will be correctly parsed."""
         new = [
             "program",
             "/path/to/source",
@@ -207,6 +213,7 @@ def test_time_constraint_flags(self):
             begin=1990,
             end=1996,
             netcdf_only=False,
+            ignore_metadata_files=False
         )
         self.assertFalse(self.mock_config.called)
         self.assertEqual(args, target_args)
@@ -265,3 +272,30 @@ def test_both_time_constraints_exist(self):
             parser = AntsArgParser(target_lsm=True, time_constraints=True)
             with self.assertRaises(exceptions.TimeConstraintMissingException):
                 parser.parse_args()
+
+    def test_set_ignore_metadata_files_flag(self):
+        "Tests that ignore_metadata_files will be set to True when passed in."
+        new = [
+            "program",
+            "/path/to/source",
+            "--target-lsm",
+            "/path/to/lsm",
+            "-o",
+            "/path/to/output",
+            "--ignore-metadata-files"
+        ]
+        with mock.patch("sys.argv", new=new):
+            parser = AntsArgParser(target_lsm=True)
+            args = parser.parse_args()
+
+        target_args = argparse.Namespace(
+            ants_config=None,
+            land_threshold=None,
+            target_lsm="/path/to/lsm",
+            output="/path/to/output",
+            sources=["/path/to/source"],
+            netcdf_only=False,
+            ignore_metadata_files=True,
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(self.mock_config.called)
+        self.assertEqual(args, target_args)

From 212dd0bb47e3f685fe666f735ee81a332432b037 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2026 09:40:09 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 16/18] #32: Add working tests

---
 lib/ants/io/load.py                           | 29 ++++++++--
 .../tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py    | 57 +++++++++++++++++++
 2 files changed, 80 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/io/load.py b/lib/ants/io/load.py
index 0753226..beed200 100644
--- a/lib/ants/io/load.py
+++ b/lib/ants/io/load.py
@@ -438,6 +438,7 @@ def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
             filename = filename[0]
         metadata_filenames = "".join([filename, ".*"])
         metadata_files = glob.glob(metadata_filenames)
+        print("m_file: ", metadata_files)
         if metadata_files != []:
             self._retrieve_metadata(metadata_files, cube)
         if self._user_callback is not None:
@@ -457,15 +458,31 @@ def _retrieve_metadata(self, metadata_files, cube):
             The cube being loaded.
 
         """
+        valid_metadata_names = ["license", "attribution", "restrictions"]
+        other_license= ["lisense", "licence", "lisence"]
         for metadata_file in metadata_files:
-            open_file = open(metadata_file, "r")
-            metadata = open_file.readlines()
-            open_file.close()
             file_name_splits = str(metadata_file).split(".")
             attribute_name = file_name_splits[-1]
-            cube.attributes[attribute_name] = metadata
-            with open("written_license.txt", "a") as file:
-                file.write("".join(metadata))
+            if attribute_name in other_license:
+                warnings.warn(f"The attribute name {attribute_name} has been changed to "
+                              "license, in line with ANTS working practices.", category=UserWarning)
+                attribute_name = "license"
+            if attribute_name not in valid_metadata_names:
+                warnings.warn(f"Attribute {attribute_name} is not a valid metadata file "
+                              "name. Accepted metadata names are license, attribution "
+                              "and restrictions.", category=UserWarning)
+            else:
+                print("cube attributes", cube.attributes)
+                if attribute_name in cube.attributes:
+                    raise AttributeError(f"The {attribute_name} is already an attribute on the "
+                                "cube. To ignore metadata files, use the "
+                                "--ignore-metadata-files flag.")
+                open_file = open(metadata_file, "r")
+                metadata = open_file.readlines()
+                open_file.close()
+                cube.attributes[attribute_name] = metadata
+                with open("written_license.txt", "a") as file:
+                    file.write("".join(metadata))
 
 
 def load_cube(*args, **kwargs):
diff --git a/lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py b/lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py
index 50a3c5b..71b71dd 100644
--- a/lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py
+++ b/lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ class directly.
 import iris
 import pytest
 import unittest.mock as mock
+import warnings
 
 
 def test_metadata_files_added_to_attributes(tmp_path):
@@ -81,3 +82,59 @@ def test_args_parsed_correctly_with_positional_args(tmp_path):
     iris.save(test_cube, str(temporary_cube_path))
     ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path, None, mock_callback)
     mock_callback.assert_called()
+
+def test_existing_metadata_error(tmp_path):
+    """Tests that an error is raised when a cube has existing metadata attributes."""
+    license_text = "a license"
+    test_cube = ants.tests.stock.geodetic(shape=(2, 2))
+    test_cube.attributes['license'] = 'an existing license'
+    temporary_cube_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc"
+    iris.save(test_cube, str(temporary_cube_path))
+    temporary_license_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc.license"
+    temporary_license_path.write_text(license_text, encoding="utf-8")
+    error_message="The license is already an attribute on the cube. To ignore metadata files, use the --ignore-metadata-files flag."
+
+    with pytest.raises(AttributeError, match=error_message):
+        ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path)
+
+def test_misspelt_license_warning(tmp_path):
+    """Tests that different spellings for license will raise a warning."""
+    license_text = "a license"
+    test_cube = ants.tests.stock.geodetic(shape=(2, 2))
+    temporary_cube_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc"
+    iris.save(test_cube, str(temporary_cube_path))
+    temporary_license_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc.lisense"
+    temporary_license_path.write_text(license_text, encoding="utf-8")
+
+    warning_message = "The attribute name lisense has been changed to license, in line with ANTS working practices."
+    with pytest.raises(UserWarning, match=warning_message):
+        ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path)
+
+def test_misspelt_license_added(tmp_path):
+    """Tests that a different spelling of license will add a license attribute."""
+    license_text = "a license"
+    test_cube = ants.tests.stock.geodetic(shape=(2, 2))
+    temporary_cube_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc"
+    iris.save(test_cube, str(temporary_cube_path))
+    temporary_license_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc.lisense"
+    temporary_license_path.write_text(license_text, encoding="utf-8")
+    # ignore warning that will be raised
+    warning_message = "The attribute name lisense has been changed to license, in line with ANTS working practices."
+    with warnings.catch_warnings():
+        warnings.filterwarnings(
+            "ignore", message=warning_message, category=UserWarning
+        )
+        loaded_cube = ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path)
+        assert loaded_cube.attributes['license'] == ['a license']
+
+def test_invalid_metadata_name(tmp_path):
+    """Tests that an invalid metadata name will not be added as an attribute."""
+    test_cube = ants.tests.stock.geodetic(shape=(2, 2))
+    temporary_cube_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc"
+    iris.save(test_cube, str(temporary_cube_path))
+    temporary_license_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc.invalid-name"
+    temporary_license_path.write_text(" ", encoding="utf-8")
+
+    warning_message = "Attribute invalid-name is not a valid metadata file name. Accepted metadata names are license, attribution and restrictions."
+    with pytest.raises(UserWarning, match=warning_message):
+        ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path)

From ae8aab899e1e69ea5c648b5e253a6afa2b6047b2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <108924122+mo-tgeddes@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:46:54 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 17/18] #32: Run stylechecks

---
 lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py            |  2 +-
 lib/ants/io/load.py                           | 33 +++++++++------
 .../tests/command_parse/test_integration.py   |  4 +-
 .../tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py    | 41 ++++++++++++++-----
 4 files changed, 54 insertions(+), 26 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
index 3fee185..4776891 100755
--- a/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
+++ b/lib/ants/cli/ancil_fill_n_merge.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def load_data(
     land_fraction_threshold=None,
     begin=None,
     end=None,
-    ignore_metadata_files=None
+    ignore_metadata_files=None,
 ):
     """
     Load the necessary data for performing a merge and fill operation.
diff --git a/lib/ants/io/load.py b/lib/ants/io/load.py
index beed200..6a4a801 100644
--- a/lib/ants/io/load.py
+++ b/lib/ants/io/load.py
@@ -56,8 +56,8 @@
 
 """
 import copy
-import warnings
 import glob
+import warnings
 from contextlib import contextmanager
 from functools import wraps
 
@@ -374,9 +374,10 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
                 ignore_metadata_files,
                 type(ignore_metadata_files),
             )
-            if ignore_metadata_files == False:
+            if not ignore_metadata_files:
                 print("doing the thing")
-                # Do the handling for each way a user callback can be passed in through iris
+                # Do the handling for each way a user callback can be passed in through
+                # iris
                 user_callback = None
                 if len(args) == 3:
                     user_callback = args[2]
@@ -459,24 +460,32 @@ def _retrieve_metadata(self, metadata_files, cube):
 
         """
         valid_metadata_names = ["license", "attribution", "restrictions"]
-        other_license= ["lisense", "licence", "lisence"]
+        other_license = ["lisense", "licence", "lisence"]
         for metadata_file in metadata_files:
             file_name_splits = str(metadata_file).split(".")
             attribute_name = file_name_splits[-1]
             if attribute_name in other_license:
-                warnings.warn(f"The attribute name {attribute_name} has been changed to "
-                              "license, in line with ANTS working practices.", category=UserWarning)
+                warnings.warn(
+                    f"The attribute name {attribute_name} has been changed to "
+                    "license, in line with ANTS working practices.",
+                    category=UserWarning,
+                )
                 attribute_name = "license"
             if attribute_name not in valid_metadata_names:
-                warnings.warn(f"Attribute {attribute_name} is not a valid metadata file "
-                              "name. Accepted metadata names are license, attribution "
-                              "and restrictions.", category=UserWarning)
+                warnings.warn(
+                    f"Attribute {attribute_name} is not a valid metadata file "
+                    "name. Accepted metadata names are license, attribution "
+                    "and restrictions.",
+                    category=UserWarning,
+                )
             else:
                 print("cube attributes", cube.attributes)
                 if attribute_name in cube.attributes:
-                    raise AttributeError(f"The {attribute_name} is already an attribute on the "
-                                "cube. To ignore metadata files, use the "
-                                "--ignore-metadata-files flag.")
+                    raise AttributeError(
+                        f"The {attribute_name} is already an attribute on the "
+                        "cube. To ignore metadata files, use the "
+                        "--ignore-metadata-files flag."
+                    )
                 open_file = open(metadata_file, "r")
                 metadata = open_file.readlines()
                 open_file.close()
diff --git a/lib/ants/tests/command_parse/test_integration.py b/lib/ants/tests/command_parse/test_integration.py
index cd5f50c..50c11e0 100644
--- a/lib/ants/tests/command_parse/test_integration.py
+++ b/lib/ants/tests/command_parse/test_integration.py
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ def test_time_constraint_flags(self):
             begin=1990,
             end=1996,
             netcdf_only=False,
-            ignore_metadata_files=False
+            ignore_metadata_files=False,
         )
         self.assertFalse(self.mock_config.called)
         self.assertEqual(args, target_args)
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ def test_set_ignore_metadata_files_flag(self):
             "/path/to/lsm",
             "-o",
             "/path/to/output",
-            "--ignore-metadata-files"
+            "--ignore-metadata-files",
         ]
         with mock.patch("sys.argv", new=new):
             parser = AntsArgParser(target_lsm=True)
diff --git a/lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py b/lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py
index 71b71dd..5bc3d5d 100644
--- a/lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py
+++ b/lib/ants/tests/io/load/test_CallbackMetadata.py
@@ -1,13 +1,18 @@
+# (C) Crown Copyright, Met Office. All rights reserved.
+#
+# This file is part of ANTS and is released under the BSD 3-Clause license.
+# See LICENSE.txt in the root of the repository for full licensing details.
 """
 Includes tests for end-to-end functionality of CallbackMetadata as well as calling the
 class directly.
 """
 
+import unittest.mock as mock
+import warnings
+
 import ants.io.load
 import iris
 import pytest
-import unittest.mock as mock
-import warnings
 
 
 def test_metadata_files_added_to_attributes(tmp_path):
@@ -83,20 +88,25 @@ def test_args_parsed_correctly_with_positional_args(tmp_path):
     ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path, None, mock_callback)
     mock_callback.assert_called()
 
+
 def test_existing_metadata_error(tmp_path):
     """Tests that an error is raised when a cube has existing metadata attributes."""
     license_text = "a license"
     test_cube = ants.tests.stock.geodetic(shape=(2, 2))
-    test_cube.attributes['license'] = 'an existing license'
+    test_cube.attributes["license"] = "an existing license"
     temporary_cube_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc"
     iris.save(test_cube, str(temporary_cube_path))
     temporary_license_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc.license"
     temporary_license_path.write_text(license_text, encoding="utf-8")
-    error_message="The license is already an attribute on the cube. To ignore metadata files, use the --ignore-metadata-files flag."
+    error_message = (
+        "The license is already an attribute on the cube. To ignore "
+        "metadata files, use the --ignore-metadata-files flag."
+    )
 
     with pytest.raises(AttributeError, match=error_message):
         ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path)
 
+
 def test_misspelt_license_warning(tmp_path):
     """Tests that different spellings for license will raise a warning."""
     license_text = "a license"
@@ -106,10 +116,14 @@ def test_misspelt_license_warning(tmp_path):
     temporary_license_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc.lisense"
     temporary_license_path.write_text(license_text, encoding="utf-8")
 
-    warning_message = "The attribute name lisense has been changed to license, in line with ANTS working practices."
+    warning_message = (
+        "The attribute name lisense has been changed to license, in "
+        "line with ANTS working practices."
+    )
     with pytest.raises(UserWarning, match=warning_message):
         ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path)
 
+
 def test_misspelt_license_added(tmp_path):
     """Tests that a different spelling of license will add a license attribute."""
     license_text = "a license"
@@ -119,13 +133,15 @@ def test_misspelt_license_added(tmp_path):
     temporary_license_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc.lisense"
     temporary_license_path.write_text(license_text, encoding="utf-8")
     # ignore warning that will be raised
-    warning_message = "The attribute name lisense has been changed to license, in line with ANTS working practices."
+    warning_message = (
+        "The attribute name lisense has been changed to license, in "
+        "line with ANTS working practices."
+    )
     with warnings.catch_warnings():
-        warnings.filterwarnings(
-            "ignore", message=warning_message, category=UserWarning
-        )
+        warnings.filterwarnings("ignore", message=warning_message, category=UserWarning)
         loaded_cube = ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path)
-        assert loaded_cube.attributes['license'] == ['a license']
+        assert loaded_cube.attributes["license"] == ["a license"]
+
 
 def test_invalid_metadata_name(tmp_path):
     """Tests that an invalid metadata name will not be added as an attribute."""
@@ -135,6 +151,9 @@ def test_invalid_metadata_name(tmp_path):
     temporary_license_path = tmp_path / "cube_attribute.nc.invalid-name"
     temporary_license_path.write_text(" ", encoding="utf-8")
 
-    warning_message = "Attribute invalid-name is not a valid metadata file name. Accepted metadata names are license, attribution and restrictions."
+    warning_message = (
+        "Attribute invalid-name is not a valid metadata file name. "
+        "Accepted metadata names are license, attribution and restrictions."
+    )
     with pytest.raises(UserWarning, match=warning_message):
         ants.io.load.load_cube(temporary_cube_path)

From 2c00cd47cc1c891aa4ca921e9569712796492bff Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Theo Geddes <theo.geddes@metoffice.gov.uk>
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:07:14 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 18/18] #32: remove print statements

---
 lib/ants/io/load.py | 18 ------------------
 1 file changed, 18 deletions(-)

diff --git a/lib/ants/io/load.py b/lib/ants/io/load.py
index 6a4a801..b2a4107 100644
--- a/lib/ants/io/load.py
+++ b/lib/ants/io/load.py
@@ -361,21 +361,9 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
                 FutureWarning,
             )
             ignore_metadata_files = False
-            print("the func: ", func)
-            print("args: ", args)
-            print("kwargs: ", kwargs)
-            print("boo")
-            print("ignore_metadata_files" in kwargs)
             if "ignore_metadata_files" in kwargs:
-                print("its here!!!")
                 ignore_metadata_files = kwargs.pop("ignore_metadata_files")
-            print(
-                "ignore metadata files: ",
-                ignore_metadata_files,
-                type(ignore_metadata_files),
-            )
             if not ignore_metadata_files:
-                print("doing the thing")
                 # Do the handling for each way a user callback can be passed in through
                 # iris
                 user_callback = None
@@ -384,8 +372,6 @@ def load_function(*args, **kwargs):
                 else:
                     if "callback" in kwargs:
                         user_callback = kwargs.pop("callback")
-                print("first args: ", args)
-                print("first kwargs: ", kwargs)
                 args, kwargs = _add_callback(
                     _CallbackMetadata(user_callback), *args, **kwargs
                 )
@@ -434,16 +420,13 @@ def __call__(self, cube, field, filename):
         The method that runs when iris runs the callback. Collects the filenames and
         will run the user callback
         """
-        print("callback has been added")
         if type(filename) is list:
             filename = filename[0]
         metadata_filenames = "".join([filename, ".*"])
         metadata_files = glob.glob(metadata_filenames)
-        print("m_file: ", metadata_files)
         if metadata_files != []:
             self._retrieve_metadata(metadata_files, cube)
         if self._user_callback is not None:
-            print("should have added user callback")
             self._user_callback(cube, field, filename)
 
     def _retrieve_metadata(self, metadata_files, cube):
@@ -479,7 +462,6 @@ def _retrieve_metadata(self, metadata_files, cube):
                     category=UserWarning,
                 )
             else:
-                print("cube attributes", cube.attributes)
                 if attribute_name in cube.attributes:
                     raise AttributeError(
                         f"The {attribute_name} is already an attribute on the "