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Bus drivers to help promote Gaelic on island routes

News imageAN TAIGH CÈILIDH A male bus driver takes a fare from a male passenger. The driver has a sticker in his hand showing that he speaks Gaelic. Both driver and passenger are smiling.AN TAIGH CÈILIDH
Stickers will let passengers know if their bus driver speaks Gaelic

Bus drivers on council-run services in the Western Isles are taking part in a new campaign to promote Gaelic.

Stickers in the vehicles' cabs will let passengers know if their drivers speak Gaelic.

The initiative is an informal collaboration between community and cultural centre An Taigh Cèilidh, local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the bus operators.

It was launched after a driver visited the centre and asked if it was doing anything for Gaelic Week.

Taxi drivers and their passengers in Lewis and Harris have also been encouraged to speak to each other in Gaelic.

A pilot scheme by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar will see signs installed in taxis indicating that the driver is willing and able to speak Gaelic.

It is hoped it will help in normalising the use of the language in community settings.

If the initiative is successful it will be rolled out in taxis across the Western Isles.