Swimming with dolphins and a tour of the White House were just two of the things that young people in Dunoon and Cowal were given the opportunity to do this week when they road tested some of Google’s latest virtual reality technology.

Young people at the Dunoon Digital Hub, which is run by Argyll and Bute Council’s Education Service, were given a rare chance to talk to a Google engineer via a live video link and to try out the new Daydream View virtual technology.

The engineer told the children about how he got involved with technology when he was just a young boy and what it is like to work at the Google headquarters in California.

The eager youngsters were then given the chance to ask a range of questions and were amazed to discover that Google employees have zip wires at work; slides take staff between floors; and they have herds of goats to keep the grass down instead of a lawnmower.

The event ended with the young people feeling inspired and considering  a future  career in technology.

They were also given the unique opportunity to provide feedback on what they liked and disliked about Google’s virtual reality equipment, and what improvements could be made.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Executive Director of Community Services, Ann Marie Knowles said: “The video link was a fantastic opportunity for the children and young people to consider technology from a design, innovation and future career perspective.

“Learning technology captures young peoples’ imagination and the Digital Hub enables them to see what can be created and inspired through technology.

“Almost every field of employment relies on technology. Part of our vision for Argyll and Bute is to equip young people to secure and sustain positive destinations and achieve success in life. We want to offer our young people as much choice as possible in where they live and work, and to ensure they are ready to succeed.”