CEARCAILL NA GAIDHLIG AN EVALUATION for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and partners in the Cearcaill na Gàidhlig Project by Steve Westbrook, Economist Sandy Anderson Stuart Brownlee Final Report July 2010 Steve Westbrook, Economist, Bellevue, Seafield Street, Nairn IV12 4HL Tel / Fax : 01667 455308 E-mail:
[email protected] Evaluation of Cearcaill na Gàidhlig Project Final Report Contents: Page No: Executive Summary iii Section 1. : Introduction 1 Section 2. : Cearcaill na Gàidhlig 2 Section 3. : Context 7 Section 4. : Consultation 13 Section 5. : Business Survey 17 Section 6. : Website 21 Section 7. : Other Marketing 25 Section 8. : Achievement of Objectives 26 Section 9. : Recommendations 29 Appendix 1 : Gaelic Rings Routes : Passenger Carryings Appendix 2 : Business Survey ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY E1 Cearcaill na Gàidhlig (Gaelic Rings) is a tourism marketing initiative based on the transport infrastructure of the Hebridean islands and the West Highland mainland. The initiative promotes tourism by showing how easy it is for visitors to travel round the area and experience Gaelic culture en route. E2 The initiative is managed through a Steering Group which includes representatives of the following funding partners and other agencies: • Argyll and Bute Council • Bord na Gaidhlig • Comhairle nan Eilean Siar • Highland Council • HITRANS • CalMac • VisitScotland. E3 The aims and objectives of Cearcaill na Gàidhlig have been to: • Boost cultural tourism and Gaelic language related activity; • Develop and demonstrate the links between the core