Highland Museum of Childhood are seeking a creative studio or artist-led team to develop an interactive digital experience that brings to life the archive images and stories of Strathpeffer’s former railway station and spa village.
This commission invites you to create a story trail experience that can be explored both online and on-site, connecting archive material with reflections on mental health, wellbeing and journeys.
The opportunity
The Highland Museum of Childhood (HMOC), based in the former Victorian railway station in Strathpeffer, is commissioning a creative partner to design and produce a digital story trail experience.
Drawing on archive photographs, newspaper cuttings and heritage materials, the project will explore:
The history of the Old Station and Strathpeffer Spa
Journeys taken for health, travel and transformation
Changing ideas of wellbeing from the Victorian era to today
The final experience will be accessible:
Online, for remote audiences year-round
On site, via QR codes located around the station, platform and surrounding greenspace
The work should be engaging, accessible and designed for a broad audience, including visitors, local communities and younger digital users.
What you’ll create
You will design and deliver a bi-lingual (English & Gaelic) digital story trail, featuring a minimum of six interactive “activation points” that audiences can explore in a non-linear way.
The experience might include:
Archive photography and visual storytelling
Soundscapes or audio narratives
Animation or moving image
Interactive or map-based navigation
Location-responsive content accessed via QR codes
We are particularly interested in ideas that respond creatively to place, memory and landscape, and that connect physical and digital exploration.
Youth engagement
A key part of this project is the inclusion of a Youth Group (ages 16–24).
You will work with young people at an appropriate stage in the project to:
Contribute ideas and perspectives
Take part in workshops or co-design activity
Test and respond to the experience prior to launch
We are looking for proposals that embed youth voice in a meaningful and achievable way.
Budget and timeline
Fee: £12,000 + VAT
(Inclusive of all costs including production, engagement, hosting and maintenance for 5 years)
Key dates:
Deadline for proposals: Friday 15th May, 5pm 2026
Project start: May/June 2026
Launch: October 2026
Production will involve a mix of on-site research and community engagement in Strathpeffer with HMOC’s Curator and remote digital development.
Who should apply
We are looking for applicants who:
Have experience creating digital, interactive or narrative experiences
Are interested in heritage, wellbeing and place-based storytelling
Have experience working with communities or young people
Can deliver both creative and technical aspects of the project
We particularly welcome applications from those based in Scotland, especially with connections to the Highlands and Islands.
How to apply
To apply please submit:
A proposal (max 3–4 pages)
Budget breakdown
Your proposal should outline your creative approach, digital format, engagement plan, and delivery timeline.
Send applications to: curator@highlandmuseumofchildhood.org.uk with the subject line: ‘HMOC: Wellbeing on Track Proposal’
Access the full brief here: