Mòd Robert’s
For those who have read my Glasgow Letter in recent weeks, I perhaps sound like a broken record going on about the first Glasgow national Mòd in 28 years.
I make no apologies for that because the event has so far lived up to all expectations.
Due to other commitments, I haven’t made it along to quite as many events this year as I would have liked.
I missed the opening ceremony on Friday evening, for example, where a great line-up, including Mànran and the Alba choir, entertained a large crowd full of water-proof ponchos whose enthusiasm showed no sign of waining as the Glasgow rain battered down on George Square.
Earlier that evening, in the slightly more comfortable surroundings of Glasgow’s City Chambers, my good friend Alasdair Whyte from Salen, Mull, had deservedly been named this year’s Gaelic Ambassador of the Year.
By the time I did manage out to an event – the Saturday evening cèilidh dance to cap off the shinty on Glasgow Green – it was clear this was a Mòd in full swing with a packed Glasgow Uni Union in great form. Beinn Lee was the band and they had everyone up on their feet all night.
Often, a national Mòd can take a while to get going. It is, after all, a full week’s event and people sometimes pace themselves until the adult competitions start at the end of the week. It seems there is no such problem with this Mòd with everyone going for it from the start.
The only concern is that people will be burnt out by the end – although I doubt there is too much fear of that. And, if there is, I’m sure they can find plenty places to self-medicate.
There is still some wonderful entertainment to come, of course. A world record attempt at the longest set of Gàidhlig waltzes in history is due to take place in the Park Bar. Although, in an exclusive interview with the organiser, Seonaidh MacIntyre from Loch Carnan, South Uist, I ascertained no such record of Gàidhlig waltzes has ever been taken – so who knows what the world record is.
Let’s not forget the competitions that have been very well attended this year with record numbers of competitors – there are real records for that.
I’m away out to hear Robert Nairn play in the Park Bar with the legendary Donald Macrae. See you on the other side.