Illicit Whisky Still - 1820

The Illicit Still Experience engages audiences in the area’s unique history in illegal whisky creation and smuggling. The area is now known for famous – and legitimate – distilleries as well as for it’s beautiful and rugged countryside. Using the latest in VR technology, the exhibit aims to immerse visitors into the virtual lost landscape of Ballanloan, a township in the middle of the whisky trade in the 1800’s. The exhibit lets visitors explore in the open world of the virtual environment as well as learn about the whisky making process. It also has a modern tour of locations that can be found today in the landscape. The creation of the interactive was to educate visitors about the history before discovering the landscape in the area for themselves. It also allows entry to locations that may not be easily accessed by all guests to Tomintoul.

Sarah Kennedy, Iain Oliver, Catherine Anne Cassidy, Adeola Fabola, Bess Rhodes, Alan Miller

Amy Woolvin (Tomintoul and Glenlivet Landscape Partnership), Bess Rhodes (University of St Andrews)

A digital landscape was created using survey data and height map. Models were created in 3D modelling programs and imported into UNREAL (a cross-platform game engine for creating virtual worlds). The models were then scaled, orientated and assembled. The landscapes were populated with flora and fauna. Where applicable, models of characters and animals were imported and animated.