Whin Park’s Nessie-themed play space brings communities together through interactive design
Inverness has a new legend in town, and this one invites everyone to play. Opened in April 2025, the refreshed Whin Park play area blends storytelling, sensory design, and inclusive equipment to create an imaginative space for all generations. Delivered by Jupiter Play & Leisure, this Loch Ness Monster-themed site is more than a visual delight. It’s a hub of movement and community connection.
Designed for everyone
Shaped like Nessie herself, the custom-designed, wheelchair-accessible Lappset Sona Interactive dance and play arch is a standout feature that highlights the space’s commitment to inclusive design. Powered by motion-sensing technology, the Sona responds to movement beneath the arch, inviting users to play a wide range of cognitive and physical games, whether solo or in groups, at the press of a button.
Built for all ages and abilities, the Sona supports active, engaging outdoor play and is especially well-suited for public parks, schools, and shared community spaces. The goal? To ensure that every child and adult, regardless of ability, can explore, move, and create meaningful moments in a safe and welcoming environment.
Powered by imagination and data
In just 8 days (April 9–16, 2025), the Sona at Whin Park logged over 79 hours of total playtime, showing strong engagement and community interaction.
Here are the top 5 games that sparked the most joy and movement:
- Sea Monster – 20h 26m
- Moon Monster – 20h 2m
- Freeze! – 20h 2m
- Reaction Race – 11h 0m
- Codebreaker – 7h 19m
The leading favourite, Sea Monster, invites players to sneak, crawl, and dash away from an invisible underwater creature, enhancing motor skills, building confidence, and encouraging social play.
