12 JUN 2026
Exploring Intangible Heritage Through the ‘Immersive Calanais’ Exhibition
From 16 February to 20 March 2026, INT-ACT presented Immersive Calanais: Past, Present and Future in the Anthea Bond Exhibition Room at the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI). Developed in collaboration with EFI's curatorial team, the exhibition explored how immersive technologies can support new ways of engaging with cultural heritage.
Using the Calanais standing stones on the Isle of Lewis as a starting point, the exhibition invited visitors to explore connections between people, place and memory across time. Physical artefacts, sensory materials and interactive digital experiences encouraged audiences to consider not only the archaeological significance of the site, but also the intangible heritage associated to it, including stories, knowledge and personal experiences associated with it.
The central feature was an interactive application developed through INT-ACT, combining storytelling, animation, aerial imagery and augmented reality to present different perspectives on the Calanais landscape and its present intangible heritage.
Over its five-week run, the exhibition welcomed a wide range of visitors, including academics, students, members of the public and nearby school visitors. It provided an opportunity to share INT-ACT research beyond academic settings and to explore how immersive technologies can support more inclusive and participatory approaches to heritage interpretation.
The exhibition marked an important milestone for the project and demonstrated the value of collaboration between researchers, designers and curators in bringing research to public audiences.
