Chaidh còig turasan ùra gu cridhe saoghal nan Gàidheal fhoillseachadh san Òban an-diugh, Dihaoine 28 Am Màrt 2008. (English)
’S e th’ ann an Cearcaill na Gàidhlig iomairt ùr-ghnàthach le sreath de shlighean a tha a’ comharrachadh cultar na Gàidhlig air feadh Innse Gall agus tìr-mòr na h-Iar-Ghàidhealtachd.
Tha am pròiseact air a stiùireadh le HITRANS, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Caledonian Mac a' Bhruthainn, VisitScotland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid agus Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd. Thathar a’ foillseachadh làrach-lìn ùr cuideachd – www.gaelic-rings.com.
A’ cur fàilte air na còig turasan, a tha a’ cur ris a’ chiad Cearcall na Gàidhlig a chaidh fhoillseachadh ann an 2007, thuirt Ministear airson Iomairt, Cumhachd is Turasachd, Jim Mather BPA: “Tha e na thoileachas dhomh mo thaic a thoirt don iomairt ùr-ghnàthach seo agus meal-a-naidheachd a chur air an fheadhainn a tha an sàs ann, ’s e eisimpleir chudromach a th’ ann de cho-obrachadh eadar buidhnean, le ùghdarrasan ionadail, buidhnean Riaghaltais, buidhnean cultarach, agus seirbheisean còmhdhail uile an sàs ann.”
“Tha a’ chiad Cearcall na Gàidhlig, a chaidh fhoillseachadh an-uiridh, air a bhith air leth soirbheachail mu thràth a thaobh a bhith tàladh luchd-turais do na h-eileanan agus le bhith a’ dèanamh sanasachd air dualchas beartach is eadar-dhealaichte na sgìre. Tha an àireamh de ghnìomhachasan ionadail a ghabh ris an sgeama air a bhith na bhrosnachadh mòr agus tha mi a’ coimhead air adhart ri leudachadh agus leasachadh a’ mhodail seo.
“Tha na Cearcaill cuideachd air na cothroman a th’ ann do ghnìomhachasan air feadh na sgìre a dhearbhadh, agus air sealltainn dè ghabhas a dhèanamh nuair a tha buidhnean poblach is prìobhaideach ag obair còmhla.”
Chaidh Albannaich ainmeil a bharantachadh gus sgrìobhadh mu na turasan aca air na slighean agus bidh iad an làthair aig an fhoillseachadh.
B’ e an comhairliche bho Earra-Ghàidheal is Bòid, William Petrie, a chuir fàilte air daoine aig an fhoillseachadh: “Tha e na mhòr-thoileachas dhomh na còig turasan ùra aig Cearcaill na Gàidhlig fhoillseachadh gu h-oifigeil.
“Chaidh mòran a choileanadh ann an ùine glè ghoirid, agus chòrd càileachd nan stuthan a thathar a’ cleachdadh gus follaiseachd a dhèanamh air an iomairt seo gu mòr rium. Tha am pròiseact cuideachd a’ sealltainn dè ghabhas a dhèanamh nuair a tha an luchd-compàirt a tha an sàs ann ag obair còmhla, agus bu thoigh leam an cothrom seo a ghabhail taing a thoirt dhaibh uile.
“Tha sinn air leth toilichte gu bheil Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid am measg luchd-compàirt a’ phròiseict seo, agus gu bheil am foillseachadh ga chumail an seo an-diugh.”
Thuirt Philip Riddle, Àrd-oifigear VisitScotland: “Tha VisitScotland a’ cur fàilte chridheil air foillseachadh Cearcaill na Gàidhlig agus air a’ chothrom a bhith ag obair ann am compàirt gus turasan luchd-tadhail a leasachadh. ’S ann air leth cudromach a tha a’ mhargaidh airson turasachd chultarach do thurasachd na h-Alba, agus le bhith cur ris na tha sinn a’ tabhann nì sinn cinnteach gu bheilear a’ frithealadh mar bu chòir air a’ mhargaidh sin.
“Chaidh targaid nàiseanta ainmeachadh airson turasachd na h-Alba a leudachadh 50% ro 2015, chaidh seo aontachadh leis an roinn phrìobhaideach agus phoblach. Gus dèanamh cinnteach gum faigh gach ceàrnaidh de dh’Alba cuid den mhargaidh nas motha seo a dh’fhaodadh a bhith ann, tha e deatamach gun tèid airgead a chur an seilbh gu h-ionadail san dòigh seo. ’S e an aon dòigh dèanamh cinnteach gun tèid luchd-tadhail dhachaigh agus gun innis iad do na caraidean is càirdean aca mu cho math ’s a bha an turas aca nar dùthaich, ma tha turas mìorbhaileach aca. Tha turasan mar seo a’ brosnachadh luchd-turais a bhith tilleadh agus tha buannachdan maireannach nan lùib do dh’eaconomaidh na dùthcha.”
Thuirt Ruaraidh Dòmhnallach bhon chòmhlan-ciùil roc ainmeil Runrig: “Bha buaidh shònraichte riamh aig dualchas is cruth-tìre nan Eilean Siar air ceòl a’ chòmhlain-ciùil againn, agus cha robh dòigh nach biodh na h-iomadh turas a ghabh sinn air bàtaichean Chaledonian Mhic a’ Bhruthainn air am fighe a-steach do sgeulachd Runrig.
“Bho na bliadhnaichean tràtha nuair a bha sinn a’ cluich aig dannsaichean, agus air chuairt sna h-eileanan, a’ siubhal air aiseagan, agus a’ cluich aig seiseanan air bòrd nam bàtaichean sin; agus nuair a bhitheamaid a’ tadhal air ar teaghlaichean agus a’ gabhail saor-làithean sna h-eileanan – a’ ruighinn agus a’ fàgail, anns gach seòrsa sìde – thug buaidh nan turasan samhlachail sin brosnachadh mòr dhuinn, agus tha a’ bhuaidh sin ri chluinntinn ann an tòrr de na h-òrain. ’S iomadh iomradh a chluinnear air a’ bhuaidh seo ann an ceòl Runrig.”
Five Magical Journeys Into The Gaelic World Unveiled
A series of five new journeys into the heart of the Gaelic world were launched in Oban today, Friday 28 March 2008.
The Gaelic Rings, or Cearcaill na Gàidhlig, initiative is a groundbreaking series of trails celebrating Gaelic culture throughout the Hebridean islands and West Highland mainland.
The project is run by HITRANS, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Caledonian MacBrayne, VisitScotland, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Argyll and Bute Council and Highland Council. A new website – www.gaelic-rings.com – is also being launched.
Welcoming the five journeys, that complement the first Gaelic Ring launched in 2007, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Jim Mather said: “I am pleased to endorse and congratulate this innovative initiative, which is a significant example of inter-agency collaboration involving local authorities, Government agencies, cultural organisations, and, in particular, transport providers.
“The first Gaelic Ring, launched last year, has already proved to be a huge success in bringing tourism to the islands and promoting the area's rich and varied culture. The up-take amongst local businesses has been extremely encouraging and I look forward to an expansion and development of the model.
“The Rings development has also demonstrated the vibrant business potential throughout the area and shown clearly what can be achieved when public and private organisations work in partnership.”
Well known Scottish celebrities have been commissioned to write about their experiences of travelling one of the routes and they will be present at the launch.
Argyll and Bute Councillor William Petrie hosted the event and commented: “It gives me great pleasure to formally launch these five new Gaelic Ring journeys.
“Much has been achieved in a relatively short space of time and I am very impressed with the high quality of the materials used to promote this initiative. The project also demonstrates what can be achieved through the combined efforts of all the partners involved and I want to take this opportunity to thank them.
“We are delighted that Argyll and Bute Council are partners in this project and that its launch is taking place here today.”
Philip Riddle, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said: “VisitScotland warmly welcomes the launch of Gaelic Rings and the opportunity to work in partnership on adding value to the visitor’s experience. The cultural tourism market is very important to Scottish tourism and enhancing what we offer will ensure the market is well catered for.
“There has been a national target set to grow Scottish tourism by 50% by 2015 which has been agreed by both the private and public sector. To ensure all areas across Scotland receive a share of this potential increased market it is essential that this type of local investment is carried out. Only by providing visitors with a fantastic experience, they will go home with a very positive story to tell their friends and family. These experiences encourage repeat tourism and have a long term economic benefit for the country.”
Rory Macdonald of legendary rock group Runrig said: ‘‘The band’s musical inspiration has always been intrinsically linked to the culture and landscapes of the Western Isles and it was inevitable that countless sea journeys on Caledonian MacBrayne boats, over the years, would play their own part in the Runrig story.
“From the early dance band years, touring the islands, travelling on and off ferries, playing sessions onboard; to the continual yearly cycle of family visits and holidays – arrivals and partings, in all kinds of weather – the experience of these symbolic journeys has been hugely inspirational, informing many of the songs. There are numerous references throughout the entire Runrig catalogue.’’
