Students from Ardnamurchan High School are to bring the peninsula into the virtual world thanks to a new pilot project.
Virtual Connections will see pupils at the school utilise 360-degree cameras, drones, and virtual reality (VR) technology to create VR experiences that will then be shown to the local community.
Run by the Centre for Recreation and Tourism Research (CRTR) at University of the Highlands and Islands North, West and Highlands, the aim of Virtual Connections is to strengthen community relationships, improve health and wellbeing, and produce better bonds between young people and the area.
As part of the project, four workshops will be held by CRTR staff, aided by the Youth Development Officer for Ardnamurchan and technology experts, to help students familiarise themselves with the technology, learn film and editing techniques, and consider how best to share their work.
The project, which has received funding from the National Lottery, will also see participants write a full project application.
Project Officer at CRTR, Kendra Turnbull, told West Coast Today that Virtual Connections will benefit both the students and the peninsula.
She said: “Young people will be empowered by the process, having learned about and created a project application which will be tailored to their wants and needs, with a view to becoming leaders of the project during the next phase.
“They’ll also be able to upskill in virtual technology and support a project that is building intergenerational connections between the people who live on the peninsula and the places.
“I am really pleased to get this project started. It has been something we have been discussing and planning for a long time.
“Connection to people and place is such a vital part of encouraging young people to stay or return to rural areas, and to do it through creating virtual reality experiences will be great fun.”
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