What if

The future souvenir of the Highlands is not just a physical object to take away, but a tangible contribution left behind?

Set on the Isle of Skye, one of the Scottish Highlands’ most heavily visited and ecologically vulnerable destinations, this project challenges the extractive nature of tourism by redefining what a souvenir can be. Guided by Doughnut Economics, it shifts visitors from passive consumers to active participants in local restoration.

Instead of paying to own a souvenir, visitors earn one through acts of care, such as collecting local waste. These recovered materials are transformed into a modular block puzzle that visitors can assemble and take home, turning environmental contribution into a tangible memory of place.

Disruption as Intervention, Reconstruction as Restoration

The act of deconstruction and reconstruction reflects the project’s core philosophy: “Disruption as Intervention; Reconstruction as Restoration.” Each block draws its geometry from Skye’s volcanic rock formations, while its colours are derived from the Highland landscape.

Engraved serial numbers transform each souvenir into a speculative ecological data node. They connect individual objects to potential future hotspots, recording visitors’ journeys and collectively mapping their restorative impact on the landscape.

Supervisor: Dr Gruffudd Hill