Fair City wins on points to host 2021 Mod
Gaelic cultural festival bid is successful
Scottish country dancing will be among the activities and events at the Mod festival when it arrives in Perth Perth will officially host the Royal National Mod (Am Mod Naiseanta Rioghail) in 2021.
The organisers behind the Gaelic cultural festival, An Comunn Gaidhealach, have announced at their AGM on March 23 that the Fair City will host the 2021 event for the first time since 2004.
This comes after both Perth and Paisley submitted bids to host the Mod in 2021 alongside their bids for UK City of Culture 2021. When both cities failed to take home the City of Culture title, the organises decided to mark both cities on their entries, with the one collecting the most posts, winning the right to host the major event.
The annual festival celebrates Gaelic culture through music, song and the spoken word, attracted a number of competitors from all over the world.
Councillor Murray Lyle, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, 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.
“Perth and Kinross has a great record of delivering world-class events, and this premier festival of Gaelic culture will bring a real ‘buzz’ to the city and a welcome boost to the local economy.”
The bid for Perth to host the Mod was put together by the council alongside Horsecross Arts and the Gaelic Society of Perth in an effort to introduce more people to the Mod and the culture of the Fair City.
Caroline Anderson from the Gaelic Society of Perth said: “The Gaelic Society of Perth have been working hard throughout the area to promote Gaelic and we are delighted to see the National Mod returning to Perth after a long gap.
“We look forward to working with Perth and Kinross Council to produce a very enjoyable and successful Mod.”
The organisers An Comunn Gaidhealach also announced Paisley will host the Mod in 2022, however add they are looking forward to seeing the Mod in Perth.
John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gaidhealach, 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 out through a rigorous point scoring system by our board members, with Perth marginally receiving more points, meaning the 2021 Mod would be held there.”
Mr Morrison added: “We very much look forward to returning to Perth for the first time in 17 years, particularly with such a strong Gaelic heritage in the area.”
Previously, An Comunn Gaidhealach said the likely dates for the 2021 Mod would be from October 6 to 18.
This premier festival of Gaelic culture will bring a real ‘buzz’ to the city