£3m boost to town from Mòd

OBAN was £3 million to the good as a result of last year’s Mòd.

An economic impact study shows that the Royal National Mòd held in Oban last year generated £2.8 million in the area.

Argyll and Bute Council welcomed the findings at a meeting of its community services committee last week. Members heard how the nine- day festival attracted 8,939 visitors to the area, 71 per cent of whom said they would definitely return to Oban for a holiday or short break. A further 15 per cent said they would possibly visit again.

Talking about the Market Specialists report, the council’s policy lead for Gaelic, community and culture, Councillor Robin Currie, said: ‘One of the survey questions was about the impact of the Mòd on the Scottish Government objective of increasing the take-up and use of the Gaelic language.

‘The question was answered very positively with 66 per cent of respondents stating that the event made a very significant contribution to the achievement of both objectives.

‘The Mòd provides a valuable showcase for Gaelic language and culture. Of those asked, 85 per cent either speak Gaelic, are currently learning, would like to learn or are lapsed learners. These findings are to be welcomed and shows the huge contribution Gaelic makes to the area.’

Councillor Aileen Morton, policy lead for economic development, added: ‘The findings of the study are extremely encouraging. They are a testament to the Mòd’s importance, not only to Scotland’s cultural calendar but to its economy as well, with 63 per cent of attendees revealing they would not have taken a trip during that week had it not been for the Mòd.

‘The atmosphere saw 43 per cent say the buzz of the festival was well above or above expectations, and an impressive 71 per cent indicated they would come back to Oban for a future holiday or short break and another 15 per cent said they would possibly do so.’

The council has a six-year agreement with An Comunn Gàidhealach for the delivery of the Mòd in Argyll and Bute on a three-year cycle until 2018.