A DIGITAL tour has been launched which allows people to explore virtually 35 sites across Orkney, including those that make up the Heart of Neolithic Orkney Unesco World Heritage site.
The guide, from Historic Environment Scotland (HES), is designed to help place a spotlight on the islands’ rich heritage and the people, places and stories that have helped shape it.
It features 90 different stories that tell the tales of the locations, from the finding of the Orkney Venus Neolithic figurine to the infamous killing of St Magnus.
Thanks to new progressive web app (PWA) technology, the guide can be downloaded and then used on devices without mobile signal or data – meaning those exploring the islands in person will be able to enjoy the audio and video tours even in the most remote locations.
The sites included span 10 islands and include Neolithic houses, standing stones and chambered burial cairns, as well as churches, military installations and a 19th-century mill.
The tour includes drone footage for popular attractions such as the Neolithic settlement Skara Brae and Maeshowe chambered cairn.
READ MORE: Kirkwall - the utterly captivating Orkney town with stunning landscape
With the help of 3D digital models, the public will be able to journey inside some of the less accessible sites across the islands, such as the Holm of Papa Westray chambered cairn and Taversoe Tuick chambered cairn.
The two main narrators of the guide are Orcadians Dave Gray and Helen Foulis, who both have extensive broadcasting experience at BBC Orkney.
However, it also features a range of guest presenters, including guided tours narrated by site staff and interviews with leading historians and archaeologists, a stonemason and a broch builder.
The guide also includes several literary extracts – such as the description of the killing of St Magnus – taken from George Mackay Brown, Sir Walter Scott and Norse saga writers, among others.
HES interpretation manager Andrew Burnet said: “We are delighted to be able to share this new Orkney audio guide app which will enable the public to explore a host of famous sites across Orkney.
“With cutting-edge PWA technology, not only does the app combine audio narration with high-quality drone and 3D scan videos – once loaded, it also enables users to enjoy the guide without being reliant on mobile service.”
Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “As an Orcadian, I couldn’t be more thrilled that people will be able to enjoy such a comprehensive digital tour of the spectacular heritage sites on the islands.”
The digital tour is currently available as a purchase option when buying an online ticket to one of HES’s staffed properties in Orkney.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here