Lews Castle College UHI Archaeologists launch ‘Uist Unearthed’ Virtual App

22 July 2021

Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund
Partner news release

The Uist Virtual Archaeology Project is delighted to launch its brand-new App, Uist Unearthed. Created and led by archaeologists from Lews Castle College UHI and supported by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the project aims to encourage communities and visitors to download the app and explore seven of Uist’s most significant archaeological sites.

From well-preserved Neolithic burial tombs to one of the largest Viking trading posts in Scotland, Uist is home to hundreds of spectacular archaeological sites. Offering Access courses through to postgraduate degrees, Lews Castle College UHI presents an amazing opportunity to study these diverse and internationally significant locations in stunning landscapes with leading experts.

The first of its kind, this innovative app contains Augmented Reality reconstructions of archaeological sites along the Hebridean Way in Uist. Each reconstruction is triggered once a site is reached, encouraging users to explore sites in their landscape settings after scanning a QR code.

The first site available is Bronze Age Cladh Hallan, located in South Uist. As well as stunningly realistic visualisations of the site as it may have looked 3,500 years ago, the App also includes 3d models of artefacts, animations, audio, and bilingual text content. The app and reconstructions have been created by Peel Interactive, who specialise in the development of immersive digital experiences for the heritage and tourism sector.

Emily Project Coordinator quotes: “We are thrilled to finally launch our fantastic app, and proud to have had extensive local input throughout the app development and testing process. The promotional video was created by UistFilm, with bespoke music created by Lews Castle College UHI music students. The app was tested by numerous community stakeholders including the pupils of Sgoil Bhaile a’Mhanaich and Sgoil Lionacleit, with app content translations provided by Ceòlas Uibhist”.

The project was awarded £271,000 as part of a new £5 million Scottish programme of projects to invest in the Highlands and Islands to provide more high-quality opportunities for visitors to enjoy natural and cultural heritage assets. The Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund is administered by NatureScot and is part funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project is also supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Crown Estate Ward Funds and Stòras Uibhist.

The promotional video can be viewed here. To download the free app, search for ‘Uist Unearthed’ in the app stores now.

Eileen Stuart: Deputy Director of Nature & Climate Change, NatureScot said:

“It’s great news that we can help support such an exciting project through our Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund.  This new app brilliantly showcases the rich historical sites along the Hebridean Way, giving visitors even more to enjoy and learn about the islands’ unique landscape and culture.”

Cllr Donald Crichton, Chairman of the Sustainable Development Committee, said: “Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar is delighted to support the UVAP initiative.  The project is innovative in its use of new technologies to allow us greater insight into the past.  The mixed media experiences that will be developed by UVAP will create a new visitor offering in Uist but will also offer an addition window into the past for local people.  I am particularly happy that the project will help to open up the Islands’ archaeological treasures to a wider audience.”

 

Gaelic version

22 Iuchar 2021

Maoin Dualchais Nàdarra agus Chultarail / Brath-naidheachd com-pàirteachais

Tha Pròiseact Breug-fhìorachd Àrc-eòlas Uibhist toilichte an app ùr ‘Ulaidhean Uibhist’ a chur air bhog.  Tha am pròiseact seo, le taic bho Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar, air a chruthachadh agus air a stiùireadh le arc-eòlaichean Colaisde a’ Chaisteil.  Is e amas a’ phròiseict cothrom a thoirt do choimhearsnachdan agus luchd-tadhail an app a chleachdadh gus seachd làraichean cudromach ann an Uibhist a rannsachadh.

Gheibhear ceudan de làraichean arc-eòlach iongantach ann an Uibhist, eadar uaighean bho Nuadh Linn na Cloiche gu aon de na làraichean malairt Lochlannach as motha ann an Alba.  Tha Colaisde a’ Chaisteil a’ tabhann chùrsaichean bho ìre inntrigidh gu ìre for-cheum, a’ toirt cothrom mìorbhaileach do dh’oileanaich na làraichean seo, a tha aithnichte gu h-eadar-nàiseanta, a sgrùdadh ann an àrainneachd bhrèagha fo stiùir eòlaichean air leth.

Tha an app innleachdail seo, a’ chiad tè de seòrsa, a’ cleachdadh mhodalan de làraichean arc-eòlach bho air feadh Slighe Innse Gall ann an Uibhist.  Tòiseachaidh an app nuair a ruigear gach làrach, a’ toirt cothrom do luchd-cleachdaidh an làrach a sgrùdadh an dèidh sgan a dhèanamh air còd QR.

Is e Cladh Hàlainn ann an UIbhist a Deas, làrach bho Linn an Umha, a’ chiad làrach a bhios ri fhaotainn air an app.  Cuide ri dealbhan iongantach a tha a’ sealltainn cò ris a bhiodh an làrach coltach bho chionn 3,500 bliadhna, tha modalan 3D de ghnothaichean, dealbhan beothachaidh, fuaim agus susbaint dà-chananach.  Chaidh an app agus na modalan a chruthachadh le Peel Interactive, a tha gu mòr an sàs ann an cruthachadh eòlasan bogaidh didseatach do roinn an dualchais agus turasachd.

Tha Emily Gal, Co-òrdanaiche a’ Phròiseict ag ràdh: “Tha sinn uabhasach toilichte an app againn a chur air bhog, agus tha sinn moiteil gun robh a’ choimhearsnachd an sàs ann a bhith ga leasachadh.  Chaidh an bhidio sanasachd a chruthachadh le UistFilm, le ceòl le oileanaich chiùil Colaisde a’ Chaisteil UHI.  Dh’fheuch iomadh buidheann coimhearsnachd an app, sgoilearan Sgoil Bhaile a’ Mhanaich agus Sgoil Lionacleit nam measg, agus chaidh an tionndadh Gàidhlig a dhèanamh le Ceòlas Uibhist.”

Fhuair am pròiseact £271,000 à program maoineachaidh ùr ann an Alba a tha luach £5 millean.  Bidh am program seo a’ maoineachadh phròiseactan air a’ Ghàidhealtachd sna h-Eileanan a tha ag amas air cothroman aig àrd ìre càileachd a thoirt do luchd-turais a thaobh nàdar agus dulchas cultarach.  Tha rianachd Maoin Dualchais Nàdarra agus Chultarail air a ghabhail os làimh le NàdarAlba, agus tha e air maoineachadh ann am pàirt le Maoin Leasachadh Dùthchail na h-Eòrpa (ERDF).  Fhuair am pròiseact taic airgid bho Mhaoin Dualchais a’ Chrannchur Nàiseanta, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Maoin Oighreachd a’ Chrùin agus Stòras Uibhist.

Chithear an bhidio sanasachd an seo.Gus an app a luchdachadh a-nuas saor is an asgaidh, lorgaibh ‘Ulaidhean Uibhist’ air-loidhne.

Thuit Eileen Stiùbhairt: Leas-stiùiriche Nàdar & Atharrachadh Ghnàth-shìde, NàdarAlba:

“Is e deagh naidheachd a th’ ann gun urrainn dhuinn taic a thoirt don phròiseact iongantach seo tron Mhaoin Dualchais Nàdarra agus Chultarail againn.  Tha an app seo a’ toirt sealladh air làraichean luachmhor air Slighe nan Innse Gall agus a’ toirt cothrom do luchd-tadhail barrachd ionnsachadh mun àrainneachd agus mun chultar air leth sna h-eileanan.”

Thuirt Comhairliche Dòmhnall Crichton, Neach-cathrach Comataidh Leasachadh Seasmhach:

“Tha Comhairle nan Eilean Siar toilichte taic a thoirt do Phròiseact Breug-fhìorachd Àrc-eòlas Uibhist.  Tha am pròiseact adhartach san dòigh anns a bheil teicneòlas air a chleachdadh gus sealladh a thoirt dhuinn air an àm a dh’fhalbh.  Tha na h-eòlasan ioma-mheadhanach a chaidh leasachadh leis a’ Phròiseact a’ cruthachadh chothroman ùra do luchd-turais ann an Uibhist, agus cuideachd do mhuinntir an àite fhèin, coimhead air ais ann an eachdraidh.  Tha mi air leth toilichte gu bheil am pròiseact a’ toirt cothrom do bharrachd dhaoine ulaidhean arc-eòlach nan Eilean fhaicinn.”

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