ABSTRACT
Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that allows users to navigate computer-generated immersive environments. VR has reached a state where developing projects using this technology is both more affordable and easily accessible to the general public. This chapter gives an overview of VR’s evolution through the years and describes its current state. It also details the workflow a project using this technology would normally follow and the different hardware and software requirements for implementing a fully immersive VR experience. The chapter elaborates this process through a case study centred on Fingal’s Cave. This work was part of the Historical Archaeology Research Project on Staffa (HARPS). Fingal’s Cave is a sea cave on the Isle of Staffa, located in the west coast of Scotland, which has a long history as a catalyst for multiple forms of creative response. However, due to its rough terrain and the need for boat access, it is not suitable for all visitors. This project utilised VR and immersive sound technology to create an audiovisual experience that strives to evoke an emotional response echoing that of an in-person visit. This approach aligns with the long history of creative response around the cave where over centuries artists have sought ways to communicate the impact of site beyond simply representing its physical structure.
