Rain fails to dampen spirits on opening night
The Royal National Mod (Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail) got under way last Friday in Glasgow – the first time the festival has been in the city in almost three decades.
Given that Scotland’s biggest Gaelic cultural festival is being held in the country's largest city, it comes as no surprise there is a healthy number of entrants.
The nine-day festival was officially launched with a speech from An Comunn Gàidhealach president and Oban Times columnist Allan Campbell on Friday night.
This was followed by a speech from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education John Swinney.
In his speech, Mr Campbell touched on the heritage of the Gaelic community within Glasgow and the important role its people play in keeping the indigenous language thriving.
The president also gave a nod to the excellent growth of Gaelic in schools in recent years, with more than 1,000 pupils now receiving Gaelic Medium education in Glasgow.
And despite torrential rain, hundreds of people made their way to George Square to attend the opening concert which featured performances from a host of names from across the Scottish Gaelic music scene.
Renowned Scots trad-rock band Mànran headlined the opening event with a spectacular performance alongside support from Scotland’s 33-strong Gaelic Eurovision Choir Alba, which serenaded party-goers with a ‘We are looking forward to a busy week with a variety of talent being showcased - from sport to choral singing to poetry. This Mòd has it all’ 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.
The Royal National Mòd features more than 200 competitions and events, covering Highland dancing, sport, literature, drama, Gaelic music and song, with Gaelic speakers of all levels competing.
As well as the competitions, this year’s Fringe showcases the best of Gaelic arts and sport with events for all ages from ceilidhs, to drama and stunning musical performances.
This year saw the introduction of a women’s football match, in support of the rise in popularity of women’s football in recent years and marked the 50th anniversary of the Mòd Shinty Cup Tournament, first played in 1969 at the Aviemore Mòd, where Newtonmore triumphed.
John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: ‘We are delighted to kick start this year’s Royal National Mòd and are excited to have Scotland’s best Gaelic talent return to Scotland’s biggest city for the first time since 1990. We are looking forward to a busy week with a variety of talent being showcased – from sport to choral singing to poetry. This Mòd has it all.’
Speaking about the learners children’s competitions on Monday, Mr Morrison added: ‘There is an abundance of young talent in the Gaelic community and it is fantastic to see these incredible young ambassadors get this year’s competitions under way.
‘The event has already got off to an exciting start and I’m looking forward to seeing what else is in store for the remainder of the week.’