The team behind the award-winning Uist Virtual Archaeology Project have been awarded funding for a new three-year digital heritage interpretation project in the Outer Hebrides.
Led by the UHI Archaeology Institute team at Cnoc Soilleir, South Uist, the funding will see the creation of new augmented reality experiences at six archaeological sites across Barra and Harris.
The project is supported by £616,230 funding from Historic Environment Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the SSEN Transmission’s Regional Community Benefit Fund and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
Since it was launched in 2021, the Uist Unearthed smartphone app has been downloaded over 7,800 times. Using digital interpretation technology and augmented reality, it brings to life five archaeological sites to life and has helped increase visitor numbers to archaeological sites across the Outer Hebrides.
Overall, the project has directly engaged more than 11,000 people in Uist’s archaeology, through the app, exhibitions, engagement activities and pop-up events. In 2022, the Council for British Archaeology identified the Uist Virtual Archaeology Project as 2022 winners in three categories at the annual Archaeological Achievement Awards – Archaeological Innovation, Public Dissemination and Presentation, and Overall Outstanding Achievement.
Dr Rebecca Rennell, archaeology lecturer and project manager, said: “We are excited to build on the learnings and experience from our previous digital interpretation work in Uist, and to continue developing interpretation embedded in the rich archaeological landscapes of the Outer Hebrides.
“We are especially looking forward to working with communities and community organisations across Barra and Harris and finding out which archaeological sites people would like to see showcased through this new project.”
As well as enhancing and bringing lesser-known sites to life through augmented reality, the project will also see the creation of a multimedia exhibition and pop-up content for community events and heritage spaces across the Outer Hebrides and beyond, to further shine a light on the archaeology of Barra and Harris.
Dr Emily Gal, archaeology lecturer and project coordinator, added: “The team is thrilled to receive this funding. As with our previous projects, we have planned an extensive programme of outreach and engagement centred around the co-creation of multimedia content with community groups in Barra and Harris.
“The first stage of the project will see consultation with local stakeholders to ensure that both challenges and opportunities for interpretation are considered. We want to ensure that that interpretation is sensitive yet impactful, enhancing island landscapes and supporting their sustainable use.”
Welcoming the funding news, Professor Jane Downes, director of the UHI Archaeology Institute said: “We are delighted for our Archaeology Institute colleagues Drs Rennell and Gal in this achievement, which shows their skills and innovation in digital heritage, as well as demonstrating the key role archaeology can play in the economy and development of Scotland’s islands.”
Lydia Rohmer, principal and chief executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, added: “Uist Unearthed is a wonderful example of how colleges and universities can share innovative research and knowledge with our communities, and how we can work in creative partnership with both public and private sectors to have a transformative impact.
We want to thank our funders for their support in enabling our archaeology team to expand this fantastic project beyond Uist, highlighting lesser-known sites in Barra and Harris through innovative use of digital technology, and positioning the Outer Hebrides as a key visitor attraction for archaeological interest and sustainable heritage tourism in the UK.”
