FAREWELL OBAN, GET READY FOR STORNOWAY AND HELLO TO GLASGOW FOR THE MÒD 2019 AFTER THE DUNOON MÒD 2018
Written by Archie Fergusson on 19/10/2015
After nine days of competitions and outstanding performances, Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mòd), has been regarded as a huge success. It will leave behind a legacy in the town, after thousands of Gaels and non-Gaels celebrated and embraced traditional Sottish Gaelic culture across nine days. The festival is expected to have brought over £3million to Oban’s local economy.
The Mòd officially closed yesterday with a massed choir procession through the town to the Corran Halls, where the ceremonial handover to representatives from the 2016 host venue, the Western Isles, centered in Stornoway, will take place. Next year’s Mòd is taking place from the 14th – 22nd October and will be the 124th year of the event.
Thousands of competitors took part in 200 competitions during this year’s Mòd, whilst many Fringe events added to the electric atmosphere in Oban. From workshops to book readings, come and try sessions to concerts and gigs, a vast range of events took place throughout the day and night in venues all over Oban.
Visitor numbers are estimated as being over 8000 and came from across Scotland, the UK, Germany and as far as Canada.
Organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, the event is the most important festival of the Gaelic language in Scotland. There was a distinct rise in under 18s competing in traditional singing events and literature events showing a rising interest in the festival and traditional Gaelic culture.
Top prizes included the prescribed singing Silver Medal (boys and girls) which went to Emily Robertson and Dòmhnall Lachlann Peutan. The Traditional Silver Medal was won by Isla MacLeod if Portree and Ruairidh Gray of Uist. The adult Silver Pendant awards were won by Alasdair Currie from Islay and Kirsty Watt from Stornoway, Kirsty’s sister is a previous winner of the Silver Pendant. The Gold Medals were clinched byCatriona NicNèill and Dòmhnall Iain MacIlleDhuinn, who both live in Glasgow, but hail from Barra and Tiree respectively.The coveted traditional gold medals were won by Tormod MacLeòid and Katy Graham, both from Lewis where next year’s Mòd will be centred.
In the most coveted choir competitions of the week, the Lovat & Tullibardine Shield went to this year’s host town, the Oban Gaelic Choir while the Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy went to Lochaber Gaelic Choir, an incredible achievement for a group that only re-formed last year. Competitions in Highland Dancing, literature, piping and clarsach also took place.
Says John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach:
Oban 2015 has been great fun and we have seen some amazing talent across all competitions. The feedback from those who attended and competed has been excellent. I’m very proud as to how much people have enjoyed this year’s Mòd. We’ve seen a lot of new faces competing this year, and we hope they’ll be joining us in the Western Isles next year.
“I’d like to end 2015’s Mòd by thanking all those who competed and by offering my congratulations to all our worthy winners. Most of all I want to thank our sponsors, supporters and every single person who contributed to the festival’s organisation – from the local organising committee, Argyle and Bute Council, and our valued volunteers – we really couldn’t have done it without you. We are already planning next year’s Mòd and hope to see you all there.” couldn’t have done it without you. We are already planning next year’s Mòd and hope to see you all there.”
In addition to nine days of competitions and performances, The Mòd also provides a platform for other Gaelic organisations to make important announcements, confirming its importance within the Gaelic community. Bòrd na Gàidhlig, National Library of Scotland, Gaelic Books Society,LearnGaelic.net, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and even Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority all chose to announce funding, launch new Gaelic initiatives or declare Gaelic plans at the Mòd.
The Royal National Mòd is supported by Argyll & Bute Council, HIE, Caledonian MacBrayne, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, EventScotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland, SQA, BBC ALBA, the Scottish Government, Royal Mail and the National Trust for Scotland.
