Multi award winning digital archaeology project Uist Unearthed is to be expanded across sites in the Outer Hebrides.
The team behind the Uist Virtual Archaeology Project, and Uist Unearthed, have been awarded funding for a new three-year digital heritage interpretation project.
Led by the archaeology team at UHI North, West and Hebrides, based at Cnoc Soilleir, South Uist, the funding will create brand new augmented reality experiences at six archaeological sites across Barra and Harris spanning the Mesolithic period to the early 20th century.
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.
The Uist Unearthed app has been downloaded over 7800 times since launching in 2021. Using innovative digital interpretation technology and augmented reality to bring five archaeological sites along the Hebridean Way to life, the project has helped support a growth in visitor numbers to archaeological sites across the Outer Hebrides. Overall, the project 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 ambitious 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.”
As well as archaeological research and innovation activity, the team contributes to delivery of a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes led by the University of Highlands and Islands Archaeology Institute, which can be studied in person at campuses across the region or online via a virtual classroom from anywhere in the world. The Archaeology Institute is a world-class teaching and research organisation dedicated to advancing understanding of the historic environment through the creation, interpretation and dissemination of archaeological knowledge. Our staff also deliver the popular degree access course Archaeology and Local Studies, with a brand-new postgraduate course in Digital Heritage also currently in development. Lecturing staff based in Uist specialise in Hebridean prehistory, landscape and island archaeology, and digital heritage.
Lydia Rohmer, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI North, West and Hebrides, said: “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."
SSEN Transmission’s Director of Customers and Stakeholders, Christianna Logan, said: “We’re delighted to be awarding our first £2m of funding to some incredible projects, including the innovative work being done by UHI North, West and Hebrides to showcase and preserve archaeological sites in Barra and Harris.
“As we deliver the critical new infrastructure that is needed to meet energy security and net zero targets, we’re committed to generating real, sustainable value by investing in projects that enrich lives and strengthen communities – and this funding award does that.”
Joanna Peteranna, Director of Area Operations at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “Following the success of the digital archaeology project in Uist, we are delighted to be able to provide support to this fantastic project that creates brand new augmented reality experiences at other sites across Barra and Harris. This is an innovative project that will use state-of-the-art technologies to provide a high-quality, engaging experience. The project aims to empower the Outer Hebrides by boosting visitor numbers, creating and retaining jobs, and promoting Gaelic which is deeply rooted in the area’s history and daily life. We look forward to working with the archaeological team at UHI North, West and Hebrides as they develop the project.”
Kevin Murphy, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Archaeology Service said: "Following on from the success of the Uist Virtual Archaeology Project, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Archaeology Service looks forward to supporting the expansion of this concept to Barra and Harris. This new approach to visiting ancient monuments allows visitors to engage with the archaeology and history of the Outer Hebrides in a different way. The project offers the opportunity to explore and experience how ancient buildings and structures would have appeared in past landscapes, through location triggered augmented reality technology".
Find out more about the Uist Virtual Archaeology Project
Find out more about studying Archaeology with UHI North, West and Hebrides