Royal National Mòd Brings Party To Glasgow
Written by Victor Thomas on 12/10/2019
Friday saw The Royal National Mòd (Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail) officially open with an energetic night of live music in George Square alongside a whole host of celebrations, as Scotland’s biggest Gaelic cultural festival returned to Glasgow.
Running until Saturday 19th October, the Mòd is set to bring thousands of people to Glasgow as visitors and competitors make their way from across Scotland, the UK and beyond.
Friday’s festivities began with a joint reception held between CalMac and the Lord Provost, where the Gaelic Ambassador of the Year was announced, followed by an official opening speech from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills John Swinney. During the ceremony Allan Campbell, President of An Comunn Gàidhealach, gave his president’s address. In his speech, Mr Campbell recognised the thriving Gaelic community in Glasgow and its importance to the language. He also mentioned the excellent growth of Gaelic in schools in recent years, with over 1,000 pupils now receiving Gaelic Medium education in Glasgow.
George Square played host to a special concert with performances from a whole host of names from across the Scottish Gaelic music scene showcased their incredible talent. Renowned Scots Trad-rock band Mànran headlined the opening with a spectacular performance alongside support from Scotland’s 33-strong Gaelic Eurovision Choir Alba, who serenaded party-goers with a rendition of Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved. Catherine Tinney, a finalist in this year’s BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Trad Musician of the Year competition, rounded off the night in style.
