Celtic Fringe started out over 9 years ago, following a series of locally held meetings on the subject of Rural Tourism. It became clear that many people felt that there was a need for a local community group who could identify and develop tourism based proposals for this area, and could work co - operatively with outside organisations such as HOST / RACE / Highland Council, and other groups. We are a membership group, non profit making, and seek to develop our activities in a way that is both sustainable and responsive to the wishes of those who live and work in this area. We currently have over 100 members throughout the region.

To date, what has been achieved?

• With pressure from Celtic Fringe and its members, a new tourism trail was set up in conjunction with HOST, RACE, Highland Council. This is called the Wester Ross Coastal Trail, and features much improved signs across the area aimed at attracting and guiding visitors around Wester Ross.
• We have a website with information and links to other sites connected with tourism locally and in the Highlands.
• We released a booklet for the region between Lochcarron & Braemore Junction, aimed at guiding visitors around Wester Ross in a friendly and informative manner (15,000 copies sold)
• We have strong links with a number of localised projects aimed at bringing benefits to the area in general.
• We have produced local accommodation packs carrying details of the many attractions and activities which the visitor can experience when they are travelling through Wester Ross. There are approx: 1,000 of these in circulation at present.
• We assisted and supported the Wester Ross Music and Arts Festival.
• We developed an "Activities Guide" for the area, which is a saleable item giving details of a wide range of activities for visitors to the area, and including details of childcare facilities, walks, fishing trips, leisure centers and many other attractions.
• Funding has recently been secured to allow up to six projects to obtain "seedcorn" funding which will enable their development over the next three years.
• All members are linked up on an e-mail based discussion group.
• We are a founder member of Tourism@ Wester Ross, which is developing a long term marketing strategy for Wester Ross as a strong identity on the world stage.

Downloads (PDF files requiring Adobe Acrobat):

• Tourism @ Wester Ross marketing strategy
• Tourism @ Wester Ross AGM (March 2007)
• Celtic Fringe Strategy Document
• Celtic Fringe AGM 2008
• Celtic Fringe AGM 2007
• Celtic Fringe AGM 2006
• Celtic Fringe AGM 2005
• Annual Activity Report for 2007-2008
• Annual Activity Report for 2006-2007
• Annual Activity Report for 2005-2006
• Annual Activity Report for 2003-2004
• Annual Activity Report for 2002-2003
• Visit to Aviemore & Cairngorm National Park (December 2006)
• Report on the trip to Finland in October 2005 (part of the North European NEST project)
• New Members Introductory Information
• Membership Application Form (includes joining instructions)

How to Join:

Download the Membership Application Form (PDF format) and send it with the relevant payment to the Celtic Fringe treasurer.
For further information, please contact Douglas Gibson via contact@celticfringe.org.uk

This web site is largely based on a colour brochure produced by the Celtic Fringe Tourism Association (Wester Ross).

• Brochure editor and photographer: Jim Buchanan
• Brochure design: Helen Meek
• Web site design and additional photos: Joanne Mackenzie-Winters

Produced with the assistance of Ross & Cromarty Enterprise and the Leader II programme from the European Structural Funds