It’s a sign of the times.

The first of four granite obelisks to be installed around the Raad ny Foillan coastal footpath was unveiled in Port Erin by TV presenter Julia Bradbury.

But the start-marker, commissioned by the government’s Visit Isle of Man tourism agency at a total cost of £20,000, has sparked a row over the use of Manx names.

Critics point out that the words ’Raad ny Foillan’ are reduced to small italics below the English translation The Way of the Gull in much bigger letters.

Allen Moore of the Mannin branch of the Celtic League said: ’My main concern is the demotion of the name in the Manx language.

’When the footpath was established it was called Raad ny Foillan. Now, we have Culture Vannin to remind the government of our culture, including the Manx language, yet the government still can’t get it right!’

There is also some debate about whether the bird featured on the sign is actually a gull.

Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly promised the wording would be put right.

He said the issue was drawn to his attention the night before the marker was unveiled.

Mr Skelly said: ’The issue came to light quite late. It was put up hurriedly having invited Julia Bradbury to stay on a little longer to go to the unveiling.

’It should have been picked up earlier.

’We have agreed with the chairman of the "Visit" agency that we will have prominence of the Manx language on these obelisks. The others aren’t complete and we will make alterations to the existing one.’

He said his department was investigating who signed off the design.

’We are investigating that as we speak,’ he told the Examiner.

Other alterations to the first obelisk may include inscribing on it the name of Julia Bradbury, whom the Minister described as ’walking royalty’.

Mr Skelly said his department had some involvement in the logistics and procurement.

The other markers will be erected on the coastal footpath at Ramsey, Peel Hill and Port Jack in Onchan.

The Raad ny Foillan was launched in the island’s Heritage Year, which was celebrated in 1986.

Mr Skelly said he ’fully recognised’ the importance of promoting the Manx language.

But he said having Julia Bradbury to unveil the sign provided a great opportunity to promote walking in the Isle of Man to an off-island audience.

Visit Isle of Man said the four new start-markers aim to provide visiting walkers with suitable starting points along the popular walking route and also offer iconic spots for photo sharing.

The four granite obelisks have been created by Natural Stone - Granite and Marble Ltd, based at Balthane.

Unveiling the first obelisk the day after she hosted Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence, Julia Bradbury said: ’It was a real honour to reveal the first of four granite markers on the Raad ny Foillan path.

’As someone who is passionate about walking, I’m of course thrilled to see as many walking paths as possible opening up and celebrating in the Isle of Man, which has gorgeous walking territory.’

Manx language officer Adrian Cain said a 1985 Tynwald report said signs should be bilingual except where a name is a Manx one, which should be left as it is and not translated.

He said had been uncomfortable with having a translation on the Raad ny Foillan obelisk and having spoken to Mr Skelly was hopeful the issue would be resolved.

Mr Cain: ’People know it as the Raad ny Foillan. I’ve never heard people call it The Way of the Gull.

’Visitors to the TT have no problem using Manx names like Creg ny Baa, Barregarrow and Rhencullen.’

So with the Raad-ny-Foillan sidelined in favour of The Way of the Gull, what other opportunities are there to anglicise some Manx names and events?

We’ve already seen Yn Cruinnaght promoted as the Celtic Gathering Isle of Man.

Here are some other suggestions.

1) The island’s capital should be renamed Deep River or possibly Blackburn. (The Manx Doolish is not Dhoo + Glass)

2) The Creg ny Baa can be rebranded Rock of the Cow

3) The Ben my Chree should set sail as Woman of My Heart

4) Hop tu Naa should be referred to as Trick or Treat

5) The Bonnag Championships should from now on be titled the Fruit Loaf Championships

6) Oie Voaldyn should be known as the May Day Festival

7) Forget Laxey - it’s welcome to Salmon!

8) Cronk ny Arrey Laa sounds rather lovely under its new name Hill of the Rising Day

9) For Barregarrow read Rough Road

10) Or perhaps you would like to climb Slieau Maggle, properly called Testicle Hill!