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<p>Cairngorms recreated in video game Minecraft </p> <p>26 February 2021 </p> <p>To help young people learn to manage the national park The Cairngorms landscape is recreated in Minecraft. </p> <p>The virtual world allows players to create anything with blocks. It covers 1,700 sq mi (4,402 km) of the park which also includes portions of Highland, Moray and Aberdeenshire. </p> <p>Settlements have been wiped out and members of the Cairngorms Youth Action Team are now being requested to establish new communities. </p> <p>It's designed to get them thinking about the way in which planning decisions are taken. </p> <p>It is reasonable to say, however, that the team doesn't take it seriously. </p> <p>Minecraft creates remote islands </p> <p>Sixteen-year-old Campbell from Aviemore says he has been building a hill fort at the top of Cairn Gorm, one of the UK's tallest mountains. </p> <p>He says: "It doesn't get the temperature well, but it gets the landscape. </p> <p>"We've seen corries and climbed the Cairngorms. It's easy to spot the Lairig Ghru. </p> <p>"It's as realistic as it could be. The different kinds of trees will let you know where you are and if there are trees. </p> <p>Ellie Moore, a fellow player, stated that "while we're trying build things and farm , there's constantly a flurry of enemies or monsters that appear at night." </p> <p>"So, it's been difficult to venture out into this world as you're constantly trying to to survive, but I'd say that where you have been thus far is pretty accurate." </p> <p>Recreating the park was an unfinished lockdown project that Dan Harris carried out in his free time. </p> <p>During the day he's in charge of planning for the Cairngorms National Park Authority. https://minecraft-servers.cloud/ </p> <p>He added: "They're basically dropped onto the map at the place in the area where Aviemore should be and they've been asked to form an area of community or a neighbourhood that is in line with the objectives of the national park. </p> <p>"They should think about how they can help protect and enhance the natural world and how they can sustainably make use of resources." </p>
