Gaelic Rings

The Gaelic Rings or, Cearcaill na Gàidhlig comprise six Gaelic-rich journeys around Scotland’s Hebridean Islands from Islay to Lewis and the West Highland mainland from Kennacraig to Ullapool.

The definitive Gaelic dictionary compiled by the Englishman Edward Dwelly between 1890 and 1910 gives three meanings for the Gaelic word ‘Cearcall’ – namely, hoop, circle and ring. Therefore, the journeys are aptly named – Cearcaill na Gàidhlig or, The Gaelic Rings.

The circles are plural – there are after all nearly 50 inhabited islands off the west coast of Scotland, from Arran in the south to Lewis in the north, with as many again uninhabited, from St Kilda to Mingulay.

Scotland’s Hebridean Islands and West Highland mainland areas provide a richness of language and history and Cearcaill na Gàidhlig aims to promote the uniqueness of this tradition and culture and highlight the important role Gaelic has played in Scotland’s past and more importantly, its relevance in today’s modern world.