Pararchive and Island Stories: collaborative co-design and community digital heritage on the Isle of Bute

Abstract

This article draws on work undertaken during two recent research projects that focused on the practices and experiences of a group of heritage volunteers working on rural settlement archaeology on the Isle of Bute, Scotland. In it we outline the process of co-creation of the YARN digital storytelling platform, explore the methodological approach employed for successful co-design, and reflect on how our initial experiences have led to a longer term, hyperlocal focus around issues of empowerment, upskilling and digital engagement in a Scottish island community.

Keywords

• co-design
• community
• heritage
• storytelling
• Pararchive
• YARN
• hyperlocal
• ecosystems
• empowerment
• democratisation