The country’s first AR (augmented reality) arts trail has been unveiled in Inverness, bringing the city’s history and legends to life.
By using the HighlandAR Legends app on specially designed plaques around the city, visitors and locals can see an entire 3D story in their surroundings. The plaques are at landmarks including the Victorian Market, the Steeple, the Castle, Ness Walk, Huntly Street, Falcon Square and Eden Court.
Provost of Inverness, Helen Carmichael, said: “I am delighted to see these stunning artworks installed around Inverness. It is a wonderful and exciting new way of telling the stories and legends of our city which is rich in culture and history.
“The app brings these artworks to life in such an amazing way and I am sure people will love it!”
She added: “This is a tremendous way of attracting international visitors, helping to boost the local economy in Inverness and the Highlands.”
Communications and Resilience Manager Ruth Cleland, who is leading the project, said: “HighlandAR Legends is a global, mobile app which you can download from Play stores. The app uses augmented reality to bring the legends and history of Inverness to life.
“The artworks and the app will provide a rich new experience for visitors to Inverness and also bring wider economic benefits and income generation opportunities to the council.”
Ruth added that a Chinese language version is also in development.
The Inverness Common Good Fund provided funding for the artwork, designed by local artists and the council’s graphic designer Kirsty Foster.
Darroch McNaught of Deuxality created the HighlandAR app and augmented reality experiences.
The app is part of a council project under the City-Region Deal, a joint initiative supported by up to £315M investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and University of the Highland and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
The app can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store. You can find out more about the app, where the artworks are located and the history behind them at the Highland Legends AR website.
