Skye gets ‘virtual twin town’ in Skylanders tie-in

THE ISLE of Skye has become the first location to be twinned with the home of a video game as a promotional stunt for the billion-dollar Skylanders series.

The Isle of Skye was 'twinned' with Skylands, home of Swap Force. Picture: Activision/VisitScotland

Skye has been ‘twinned’ with Skylands, home of the Skylanders series, in a joint venture between VisitScotland and games giant Activision.

A model of Wash Buckler, one of the characters in the new ‘Skylanders SWAP Force’ game, toured the island and visited Portree Primary School as part of the game’s launch campaign.

The Skylanders games run on a range of video games consoles but come with physical toys which can be used to unlock additional content in the game.

VisitScotland’s Alan Mackenzie said: “The Isle of Skye is renowned for its stunning landscapes, which possess an almost ethereal quality, and its abundance of wildlife, making it the perfect place to virtually twin with Skylands.”

Michael Sportouch, from publishers Activision, said: “We’re sure this partnership is going to spark the imaginations of families whenever they visit the Highlands, but fortunately they don’t have to worry about seeing any (common Skylanders characters) Chompies on Earth.”

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