The first of the Gaelic Rings, or Cearcaill na Gàidhlig, was launched in July and is based on Caledonian MacBrayne’s Islands Hopscotch route taking in Oban, Barra, Eriskay, South Uist, Benbecula, North Uist, Skye and Mallaig.

Over 300 businesses have supported the first Ring and more than 20,000 beautifully presented information books about the trip have been distributed. The books include an acclaimed commentary by renowned Gaelic writer and actor Angus Peter Campbell charting his personal journey on the first Ring.

The next five Gaelic Rings will be unveiled early next year and to complement these journeys five highly respected and successful Scots have agreed to write their experiences of travelling the new routes. These writers will be announced when the Rings launch.

Joe MacPhee is the Development Manager for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Western Isles Council, who have co-ordinated the project with other partners. He says this has been a hugely successful initiative:

“The Gaelic Rings, Cearcaill na Gàidhlig, is a groundbreaking initiative bringing together a range of partners to produce a unique tourism experience.

“The first journey has proved popular and the fact that 300 local businesses along the route have supported it by becoming partners shows the potential benefits.

“I am delighted to announce five new Gaelic Rings that will expand this experience to more people in more areas. Gaelic is a unique language with a unique cultural heritage. We are now taking this experience to the world and encouraging people to tap into something mystical and historic but in an exciting and modern way.

“The next five Rings will be launched next year and we will announce the five Scots signed up to write exclusive articles for each journey. This is a time of opportunity for Gaelic and Scottish tourism and we hope these next five Rings will prove as popular as the first.”