A sample handling apparatus for handling multiple trays of sample vials, comprising: a carrier mechanism having a first vertical axis of rotation and comprising a tray carrier portion, a carrier actuator portion and a first interface portion interfacing said tray carrier portion into engagement with said carrier actuator portion, said tray carrier portion retaining said multiple trays and said actuator portion actuating said multiple trays substantially simultaneously in a rotary manner about said first vertical axis of rotation; and a tray drive proximate to said carrier mechanism, said tray drive having a tray actuator with a second vertical axis of rotation, said tray actuator having a tray interface portion configured to engage with and disengage from, individually, each of said multiple trays in said tray carrier portion of said carrier mechanism and said tray interface configured to actuate each of said multiple trays individually about said second vertical axis of rotation when engaged with an individual one of said multiple trays, characterised in that: said tray carrier portion removably retains said multiple trays; and wherein said tray drive comprises a linear actuator and a rotary actuator having a shaft with a first end and a second end, said second end of said shaft having said tray interface portion disposed thereat, said linear actuator being configured to linearly actuate said rotary actuator along said second vertical axis of rotation between a first, downwards, position in which said tray interface portion engages an individual tray and a second, upwards, position in which said tray interface portion is disengaged from said individual tray, said rotary actuator configured to effect rotation of said individual tray about said second vertical axis of rotation when in said first, downwards, position. a carrier mechanism having a first vertical axis of rotation and comprising a tray carrier portion, a carrier actuator portion and a first interface portion interfacing said tray carrier portion into engagement with said carrier actuator portion, said tray carrier portion retaining said multiple trays and said actuator portion actuating said multiple trays substantially simultaneously in a rotary manner about said first vertical axis of rotation; and a tray drive proximate to said carrier mechanism, said tray drive having a tray actuator with a second vertical axis of rotation, said tray actuator having a tray interface portion configured to engage with and disengage from, individually, each of said multiple trays in said tray carrier portion of said carrier mechanism and said tray interface configured to actuate each of said multiple trays individually about said second vertical axis of rotation when engaged with an individual one of said multiple trays, characterised in that: said tray carrier portion removably retains said multiple trays; and wherein said tray drive comprises a linear actuator and a rotary actuator having a shaft with a first end and a second end, said second end of said shaft having said tray interface portion disposed thereat, said linear actuator being configured to linearly actuate said rotary actuator along said second vertical axis of rotation between a first, downwards, position in which said tray interface portion engages an individual tray and a second, upwards, position in which said tray interface portion is disengaged from said individual tray, said rotary actuator configured to effect rotation of said individual tray about said second vertical axis of rotation when in said first, downwards, position. said tray carrier portion removably retains said multiple trays; and wherein said tray drive comprises a linear actuator and a rotary actuator having a shaft with a first end and a second end, said second end of said shaft having said tray interface portion disposed thereat, said linear actuator being configured to linearly actuate said rotary actuator along said second vertical axis of rotation between a first, downwards, position in which said tray interface portion engages an individual tray and a second, upwards, position in which said tray interface portion is disengaged from said individual tray, said rotary actuator configured to effect rotation of said individual tray about said second vertical axis of rotation when in said first, downwards, position.