Use AR to uncover the story behind the Loch Ness Monster, Inverness Castle, and other legends as you explore the coastal city of Inverness.
While every country develops their fair share of fables and legends, it seems as though Scotland has always remained near the top of the list in terms of unsolved mysteries, hard-to-believe tales, and bizarre creatures. Whether it be a half-man, half-wolf that leaves fish on the windowsills of poverty-stricken families, or a farmer-lead protest dubbed the “Ross-shire Sheep Riot,” there appears to be no shortage of fascinating stories when it comes to Scotland.
To help shine a spotlight on some of these long-forgotten pieces of historical Scottish culture, the city of Inverness has developed Highland AR Legends, an interactive trail experience that utilizes augmented reality to bring to life Scottish legends of old. Open now to the public, participants follow a designated trail through the city of Inverness, using their personal devices to access interactive AR exhibits along the way.
Here’s a quick list of the various legends you can discover along your hike through the city:
The Loch Ness Monster
Arguably the country’s biggest claim to fame, the Loch Ness Monster has been confusing locals and visitors for generations. First spotted all the way back in the year 565 CE, witnesses recorded seeing the beast eat a farmer before being driven back into the lake by St Columba.
The creature has since remained the subject of multiple investigations, keeping the legend alive even today.
The Loyal Market Dog
A story guaranteed to have even the biggest Scottish tough guy bawling, this unbelievable tale of an exceedingly loyal guard dog and a gas lit Victorian market engulfed in flames isn’t exactly an uplifting tale, but one that deserves to be heard and remembered.
Inverness Castle
Otherwise known as “The Spirit of the Highlands,” this 19th century castle served as the location for multiple historical conflicts including murder, imprisonment, war, and other atrocities. Shakespeare’s famous tragedy, Macbeth was said to have been inspired by events that took place throughout the surrounding area.
Brahan Seer
Another tale with a less-than poetic finale, Brahan Seer was a famous fortune-teller of sorts. While the flamboyant “psychic” would eventually seal his own fate with a rather controversial prediction, the legend did end up making an impressive series of prophecies that would prove themselves accurate over the course of the coming years.
Unicorns, Fairies, and Falcon
While we all know the stories surrounding the mythical unicorn, many would be surprised to learn that the stories surrounding the white, horse-like creature first originated back in ancient Scotland. Dedicated to these magical, horned-legends, as well as other magical beings, such as fairies, this stop of the augmented trail is sure to be a hit for children and adults alike.
The Prisoners
Best described as a series of events that could only happen in Scotland, the legend of the prisoners begins with a protest involving the removal of over 6,000 sheep from Ardross land, and ends with a trio of prisoners escaping captivity under an extremely bizarre set of circumstances.
The Highland AR Legends trail experience is now fully open to the public in the Highland city of Inverness, Scotland. Download the Highland AR app now on iOS & Android now and get walking!
Image Credit: Highland AR Legends
