Cairngorms recreated in video game Minecraft
26 February 2021
To help youngsters learn to manage an area of national park, the Cairngorms landscape has been recreated using Minecraft.
The virtual world, where players can create anything with blocks, covers all 1,700 sq miles (4,402 sq km) of the park, which comprises parts of Highland, Moray, Aberdeenshire and Perthshire.
minecraft servers
The settlements have been cleared out and members of the Cairngorms Youth Action Team are now being asked to create new communities.
It's intended to stimulate their thought process about making choices.
It is reasonable to say that the team does not take it seriously.
Minecraft creates remote islands
Campbell, a sixteen-year-old from Aviemore is building a hill fort at Cairn Gorm's summit. It is among the UK's highest mountains.
He explained that although it doesn't transmit the temperature well, it does capture the landscape.
"We've seen corries and been up the Cairngorms. The Lairig Ghru's quite recognisable.
It's as real and precise as it can be. The different types of trees will let you know where you are and if there are trees.
A fellow player Ellie Moore said: "While we're trying to build things and farm, there's an incessant stream of monsters and foes that are out at night.
"So it's been a challenge to travel out into the world because you're constantly trying survival but I'd say where have been thus far has been fairly exact."
Re-creating the park was an unfinished lockdown project that Dan Harris carried out in his spare time.
He is the planning manager for Cairngorms Park Authority during the day.
He added: "They're basically dropped onto the map at the place that Aviemore ought to be, and they've been asked to form an area or community that is compatible with the goals of the national park.
"So, things they have to think about is how they protect and enhance the natural environment and how they can make sustainable use of resources."
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