The UHI Archaeology Institute has launched two new interactive, augmented reality archaeology trails in Barra, allowing visitors to experience some of the island’s most significant archaeological sites in an entirely new way, through the Outer Hebrides Unearthed smartphone app.
The Outer Hebrides Unearthed project is led by the UHI Archaeology Institute team at UHI North, West and Hebrides, based in South Uist.
The new Barra and Harris Unearthed Project builds on the success of the award-winning Uist Unearthed app, which transformed the way people experience archaeology across Uist through immersive augmented reality and received three British Archaeology Awards in 2022.
Two new archaeological trails are now available at Dùn Bharpa and Cille Bharra in Barra. Drawing on decades of archaeological research, both sites have been digitally reimagined to help visitors explore the islands’ history through interactive and immersive storytelling.
At Dùn Bharpa, users can crawl inside a life-sized augmented reality reconstruction of a 5,000-year-old Neolithic burial tomb to discover more about prehistoric spirituality and burial practices.
At Cille Bharra, visitors can watch runic inscriptions come to life within the chapel walls while exploring themes of belief and identity during Barra’s early historic period. Viewed through a user’s smartphone, augmented reality tools overlay life-sized, 3D models of archaeological structures on the physical landscape, seamlessly blending interpretations of the past with the present.
The project will continue to grow over the coming years.
A third Barra site will be added to the app later this year, followed by three new sites across Harris in summer 2027 and a travelling exhibition in 2028.
Dr Rebecca Rennell, UHI Archaeology Institute lecturer said: “We’re so excited to be adding Barra sites to the Outer Hebrides Unearthed trail. Barra is home to many stunning archaeological sites and landscapes, and we’ve really enjoyed finding ways to communicate their stories.
“Those who have used the Uist Unearthed app will notice some familiar digital tools: life-sized augmented reality models are still an important part of the Unearthed experience. But as a team we are passionate about pushing boundaries and trying new things, so users will also find some new approaches and interpretation devices embedded in the app and we’re keen to know what people think.”
Co-production has been central to the project. In Barra, the team worked closely with local artist Sheena Beaton and pupils from Castlebay and Eoligarry primary schools to create original artwork and animations, which visitors can discover as they explore the app.
Dr Emily Gal, Barra and Harris Unearthed Project co-ordinator, said: “Working with school pupils from Castlebay and Eoligarry has been a particular highlight of our work in Barra: the kids’ enthusiasm for their local archaeology and their imaginative responses to our interpretation challenges have been really inspiring.”
The Outer Hebrides Unearthed app is free to download from app stores by searching “Outer Hebrides Unearthed” or by visiting: Outer Hebrides Unearthed.
