Isle of Cumbrae recreated in video game Minecraft
20 April 2021
The Isle of Cumbrae has been recreated in the video game Minecraft as part of a plan to engage young people with the area's heritage.
Students at Abertay University in Dundee built Cumbraecraft, based on the well-known Ayrshire coast tourist spot.
The game features eight lessons designed for elementary school students.
Garrison House, Lion Rock Garrison House, Lion Rock, and Cathedral of the Isles are some of the locations featured on the virtual island.
Crocodile Rock, the port and the Millport library are also explorable in the game.
My city
It was developed to be used in both home and classroom environments.
The project was completed by Romain Bourdon, Fergus Coyne, and Claire Monaghan (Games students) during their studies at Abertays School of Design and Informatics.
Due to the restrictions on travel the group was unable to visit the island prior to when they began their work. They were forced to use images as their sole point of reference.
The game is part of a regeneration program that is being implemented by North Ayrshire Council and Historic Environment Scotland.
The council's regeneration officer Kasia Smith said she was "thrilled" that the game was made available to students.
She said: "Cumbrae has such a rich history and it is so important that our children learn about their community's heritage.
"Our Millport Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme has been an absolute success in the preservation of the island's history, and Cumbraecraft has enabled us to reach out to a younger audience."
