Last year, Edinburgh Bus Tours achieved the highest accolade from VisitScotland attaining five stars for excellence in recognition of its exceptionally high standard of facilities and services for visitors. This prestigious award, only achieved by a small percentage of visitor attractions, puts Edinburgh Bus Tours alongside other five star attractions in Edinburgh, including Edinburgh Castle and Royal Yacht Britannia.
This St Andrews Day, Lothian Buses are launching their Gaelic tour with the help of Tollcross Primary School, Edinburgh’s only Gaelic speaking primary school.
Ian Craig, Managing Director, Lothian Buses said:
Our new Gaelic tour has been supported by the Scottish Government. There is no other company in Scotland providing a Gaelic spoken tour and with a growing number of Gaelic speakers in Central Scotland and an increased number of Scottish people holidaying at home the decision for us to launch this tour was simple.
Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s Languages Alasdair Allan said:
“The Scottish Government is committed to increasing the number of people learning, speaking and using Gaelic across Scotland. For the language to survive and thrive it requires ongoing support for communities and networks of speakers and for initiatives which expand and strengthen its position in modern Scottish society.
“That’s why I welcome the launch of this unique Gaelic tour by Lothian Buses. As the language continues to flourish in Edinburgh this presents another opportunity to further raise its profile among speakers and non speakers alike. I wish Lothian Buses every success with this innovative project.”
The tour was translated by Facal, specialists in transcription and translation based in the Scottish Highlands.
Alasdair MacLeoid, Facal said:
We are delighted to have been involved in this interesting and innovative new project embedding Scottish Gaelic as an audio option on the Majestic Tour of Edinburgh, and wish Lothian Buses every success with this venture.
We are confident that Gaels visiting Edinburgh as well as local Gaelic-speakers and learners, young and old, will make use of this facility; and hope to see such a service extend to other tours, towns and cities across the country.”
The Majestic tour, which is part of Edinburgh Bus Tours, leaves from Waverley Bridge, taking in the sights of Edinburgh Castle, Royal Botanic Garden, Royal Yacht Britannia and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Alice Brown, Head Teacher, Tollcross Primary said:
We are delighted that Lothian buses are recognising the growth in the use of Gaelic in Edinburgh. This will allow visitors to Edinburgh and local people to enjoy a tour in Gaelic. Our Gaelic Medium pupils are looking forward to their tour very much.
During the winter season, Edinburgh Bus Tours will be running their City Sightseeing, Edinburgh Tour and Majestic Tour, all featuring pre-recording commentary.
Indiviidual Tour tickets are priced Adult £12, Child (5-15) £5 Senior/Student £11 and Family £28 are valid for 24 hours.
During the Winter Season, a GRAND TICKET allows 48 hours unlimited travel instead of 24 hours on City Sightseeing Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Tour, AND the Majestic Tour. Prices are Adult £16, Child (5-15) £6, Senior/Student £14 and Family £37.
For more information visit www.edinburghtour.com.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
Pointless
Tollcross primary school is not Edinburgh’s only Gaelic speaking primary school ! It is a mainstream multicultural, multilingual school which happens to house a Gaelic Medium Unit.
For a language that’s dying. We all talk English so why not concentrate on that?? Py 11,430 people watch bbc alba which is on all platforms, kind of shows that’s your max ppl. Waste of money!
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