The official launch of Cearcaill na Gàidhlig, a groundbreaking initiative celebrating Gaelic culture throughout the West Highlands and Western Isles, took place in Inverness on Friday (June 22).

The Gaelic Rings project - a series of culture trails which will be serviced by existing Caledonian MacBrayne Hebridean Hopscotch routes - is aimed at a global audience. The first "ring" has already won the support of nearly 200 tourist attractions, businesses, restaurants and accommodation providers within the target area.

The launch of the first "ring" is marked with the unveiling of a Cearcaill na Gàidhlig website www.gaelic-rings.com  and the publication of guidebooks which will be available at CalMac ferry terminals and at various attractions and businesses throughout the route.

CalMac ferries will take tourists on a route which encompasses Oban, Barra and Eriskay through South Uist, Benbecula and North Uist and over to Uig on Skye. The ring route then moves through Skye to Armadale and by the short sea crossing to Mallaig. Visitors can complete the culture and heritage trail by travelling through Lochaber and Lorne, back down to Oban.

The goal of the organisations involved in the project is to highlight the scenery, heritage and culture, places of historical and modern significance as well as the best places to visit, stay, eat and drink on the "ring" routes. Initiative backers include HITRANS, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Caledonian MacBrayne, VisitScotland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Argyll and Bute Council and Highland Council.

HITRANS director David Duthie commented: “This pilot initiative has been put together to help promote some of the very best of what the Highlands and Islands has to offer in terms of Gaelic culture. People can choose to begin their journey at Mallaig and end at Oban or vice versa - each island has its own unique identity – yet all are steeped in Gaelic heritage. We are encouraging visitors, particularly those already with an interest in the Gaelic culture and language, to visit the locations contained within the ‘ring’ during the summer months.


“There are many, many, islands throughout the West of Scotland but this specific route and everything which each stop has to offer provides an excellent taste of Gaelic culture and language for enthusiasts world-wide.”

The Cearcaill na Gàidhlig website allows tourists to access "ring" information and to plan their trip around events happening throughout the summer. The project also ties in with “Highland 2007” which is working to promote the area’s unique Gaelic culture. Events in the Highland 2007 programme include The Hebridean Book Festival, The Skye Festival / Fèis an Eilein, Faclan and theTaransay Fiddle Camp.

Alex Graham, Acting Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: “This initiative will be an excellent show-case of Gaelic culture throughout the Highlands and Islands and has enormous potential to help to grow the market for cultural tourism.

“The Bòrd funded part of this project with the aim of introducing visitors to this area to the Gaelic language. One of the key goals of Bòrd na Gàidhlig is to promote Gaelic throughout Scotland and beyond, and we believe this project helps to do this.

“It is also a great opportunity for local businesses and tourist attractions to capitalise on a potential increase in tourists this summer and we urge everyone in the Ring areas to support this project and the promotion of the Gaelic language and culture,” he said.