Here be dragons
Invade this land of myths and legends ... if you dare
MYTHS and legends are getting ready to land in Angus, as a collection of 20 virtual creatures prepare to set up home within the dark woods of Monikie Country Park, located near the village of Monikie, only a few miles northeast of Dundee.
This beautiful country park is well known for its wildlife, programme of ranger-led guided walks, watersports and other activities – all ideal distractions for the children during the forthcoming October school holidays.
Unsurprisingly, dragons are not a common sight in these parts and not in the usual programme.
But Dragon Matrix, taking place until October 31 (except October 10, 17 and 24) is the second instalment of an augmented reality adventure that offers players a magical interaction with talking mystical creatures, set against a backdrop of music and stunning lighting in ANGUSalive’s Monikie Country Park. So get ready to let your imagination run wild.
With trolls, a fairy glen and even a path of spiders set to take up residence, this theatrical and mystical spectacular will see visitors embark on a quest to track six dragon stones, stolen from the Museum of Dragons, in a new fantastical installation located in the dark woods. It’s a quest, but like a matrix, it’s also a computergenerated dream world.
At Dragon Matrix, you’d be wise to avoid the path of spiders and resist the temptation to talk to the trolls.
The creatures have once again been created by Saara Väkiparta and other animation graduates from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, working in conjunction with Symon Macintyre, artistic director at Vision Mechanics. Mr Macintyre said: ‘This year, we wanted creatures which would add to the storylines, that have a voice.’
For the first time, the event is supported by The Space, which works with artists and arts organisations to support them in creating great art and reaching new audiences using digital technologies and platforms.
Visitors are encouraged to use their smartphones or tablets, along with the new Dragon Matrix AR app, to glimpse and capture the parallel universe of magical creatures that inhabit the woods.
When downloaded, the Dragon Matrix AR app will reveal a world of magical creatures which you can scan and snap for social media, friends and family. Very fitting as Hallowe’en approaches. Visitors are urged to download the app ahead of their visit.
The route around Dragon Matrix is approximately one kilometre (0.6 miles) and is on a path rather than grass. The area is flat and accessible for wheelchair users.
There will also be some seats along the route where visitors can rest – if you are brave enough to stop.
Players should allow at least an hour to go around the Dragon Matrix trail – but you may need more, depending on the strength of your nerves.
Tickets are on sale online or from the Webster Memorial Theatre in Arbroath. www.dragonmatrix.org.uk THE Reiff Climbing Festival in the North-West Highlands is back, from October 13-16. There are more than 300 routes on solid 1.2billion year-old sandstone for climbers to explore. The festival will put on some ‘indoors, outdoors’ sessions for those who want to give outdoor climbing a try, but don’t yet have the right kit. There will also be workshops if you want to improve your skills with a professional coach or instructor. Ropes will be in place at the Pinnacle Area for anyone who wants to give outdoor climbing a try. It’s also the weekend of the Coigach half-marathon on the Saturday, followed by a ceilidh in the Community Hall, allowing climbers and their families to unwind.