Young musicians star at Ardnamurchan Mòd
Dozens of young traditional musicians recently travelled to Ardnamurchan High School to showcase their talent at the annual Mòd Aird nam Murchan.
The five peninsula primary schools, the high school and pupils from Mull, Oban and Fort William took part in choral, solo singing, instrumental, poetry recitation and conversation competitions on Friday June 15. The committee was also delighted to have several adult competitors this year as well as Burach, Morvern’s adult Gaelic choir.
Despite inclement weather everyone had a great day and adjudicators commented on the high standard of entries. Everyone agreed Ardnamurchan High School was a wonderful setting for the mòd. In the evening, a packed audience enjoyed the prizewinners’ concert.
The event was particularly poignant this year as Mairi MacColl, Charlie MacColl’s widow, and their son Callum attended to present the trophies.
Convenor Fiona MacLean told the audience what a great supporter Charlie had been of the Ardnamurchan Mòd.
Following a ceilidh in Kilmallie last year, his family donated a substantial sum to Mòd Aird nam Murchan.
As well as running a workshop a few weeks ago for primary school children, the committee used some of the money for the Charlie MacColl Memorial Shield, to be awarded to the local learner or fluent speaker achieving the highest mark in conversation classes, as he was so passionate about encouraging youngsters to learn and converse in Gaelic.
In its inaugural year, Mairi presented the shield to Sean MacLellan, Ardnamurchan High School, for achieving an outstanding mark in the 13-15 years’ fluent conversation class.
Committee members were delighted that after months of hard work by pupils, teachers and tutors everyone performed so well and enjoyed themselves.
Good luck wishes were extended to everyone competing at the Royal National Mòd in Dunoon this year. The committee looks forward to welcoming everyone back to Ardnamurchan next year.