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WalkHighlands inspires with Google Street View

Written by Fiona

December 09 2016

Walking website Walkhighlands has made use of Google’s Street View to capture stunning all-round imagery on a number of Highlands routes.

The aim is to encourage more people to visit Scotland and to hike an iconic walk.

The Walkhighlands team spent the summer capturing the 360imagery using the futuristic Google Trekker.

This weighty device combines 15 camera lens with a GPS and automatically snaps a series of photos every 2.5 seconds.

Helen with the device at Steall Falls.

Helen with the device at Steall Falls.

Walkhighlands co-founder Helen Webster said: “It was certainly a fun challenge lugging Marvin, as we nicknamed the Trekker, up various glens, mountains and hills.

“Most kids and younger folk knew immediately that it was for Street View and we were greeted with excited chants of ‘Google, Google’ in some locations.

“Older folk tended to be intrigued and to ask a lot of questions while a rare few would just totally ignore the strange-looking Trekker or hide from view as we passed.

“We’ve had some great feedback since we started the project with people telling us it will help plan their trip to Scotland and inspire them to get out on a walk.”

The resulting imagery will form part of Google Street View as well as being part of the online route guides for Walkhighlands.

Helen at the summit of Bennachie.

Helen at the summit of Bennachie.

The descent to Aviemore from Craigellachie.

The descent to Aviemore from Craigellachie.

The routes covered include:

  • The Storr – Isle of Skye
  • Cairngorm
  • Bennachie in Aberdeenshire
  • Craigellachie National Nature Reserve in Aviemore
  • Coire Ardair in the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve.
Ascending Cairn Gorm with the trekker.

Ascending Cairn Gorm with the trekker.

Since the imagery was recorded Google has worked through the footage to obscure any individual identifying faces and ensure a seamless run through of each walk.

See Walkhighlands

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