Organisers confirm Fair City Mod date

PERTH will host the Royal National Mod in 2021, organisers have confirmed.

The Gaelic culture festival is expected to deliver a multimillion-pound boost to the local economy.

It was feared the chance to hold the event was left dead in the water after Perth lost its bid to become UK City of Culture.

Organiser An Comunn Gàidhealach has confirmed Perth will get the event in three years’ time, while City of Culture contest rival Paisley will host it in 2022.

Directors used a point-scoring process to decide which of the two cities would get the Mod first.

It will cost about £180,000 for Perth to stage the event, which is expected — based on previous events — to pump between £2.5 million and £3.5m into the area. Perth last hosted the festival in 2004.

An Comunn Gàidhealach chief executive John Morrison said: “We were in a unique position last year as to who would host the 2021 and 2022 Royal National Mods. Both applications were extremely impressive, so the decision was made that each would become a host city. However, we would wait until the City of Culture announcement had been made before choosing which city would host which year. Both applications were put through a rigorous point-scoring system by our board members, with Perth marginally receiving more points.”

Council leader Murray Lyle said: “I’m delighted to learn the Royal National Mod will return to Perth in 2021. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring Gaelic to the forefront and showcase our area’s Gaelic culture and heritage.

“We are tremendously excited and inspired by the opportunity to host one of Scotland’s most iconic events at a time when we are investing in culture by supporting venues such as Perth Theatre and the rebirth of City Hall.”