Mull Gaelic Choir wins it all with a special performance
Thursday was a special day at the Royal National Mod for Mull Gaelic Choir (Còisir Ghàidhlig An Eilein Mhuilich) Ladies.
The island women won everything on offer in the rural choirs two-song competition, including the Grampian Television Trophy, the Rod MacKenzie Sgir’ a’ Bhac Memorial Baton, as well as the Angus MacTavish Memorial Trophy and the Rotary of Blairgowrie Trophy for achieving the highest marks in Gaelic and music and the John Lockie Trophy for highest marks in Gaelic out of three competitions.
It was particularly significant, as this is the whole choir’s first mod since losing one of their members in a hill climbing accident earlier this year.
Mull Gaelic Choir conductor Elizabeth Jack told The Oban Times the pebble pins the choir were wearing were in memory of Rev Johnny Paton, who was the minister on Mull and a former choir member.
Donna Dugdale created around 40 of the pins, which were made from pebbles taken at the foot of Ben More, with Rev Paton’s favourite bird, an Oyster Catcher, painted on them.
‘We wanted to have something of him with us,’ Elizabeth said. ‘We miss him so much. It has been a difficult year. His memory lives on right across Mull.
‘He was very down to earth and contributed so much towards the community. When we finished our last song, there were tears in a lot of people’s eyes, including mine.’
Speaking about winning four out of four trophies, Elizabeth said: ‘It is brilliant because there are so many that are not Gaelic speakers. So I am delighted to get the Gaelic trophy.’
Elizabeth paid gratitude to the choir’s Gaelic tutor Janet MacDonald, who won the gold medal in 1984.
Elizabeth said it was a special victory. The choir was also missing three ladies, who were not able to make the Mòd for various reasons, but it was noted they were missed very much.