The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Gaelic festival raised isles’ economy by millions, claim Mod
An economic boost for the Western Isles and a boom in publicity for Gaelic have been hailed as the Royal National Mod drew to a close last night.
More than 3,000 competitors and their families flocked to Stornoway and other parts of the islands for the showpiece Gaelic festival, which attracted visits from Prince Charles and deputy first minister John Swinney.
The Mod began to draw to a close yesterday – with the choirs taking centre stage as the coveted Lovat and Tullibardine trophy was awarded.
Yesterday the organisers hailed the success of the event – and revealed that the Mod will return to Inverness in 2020.
John Macleod, president of organisers An Comunn Gaidhealach, said: “It’s been a great week for the Mod. It’s been a great week for Gaelic.
“We do an economic assessment every year which ranges somewhere between £2.5million to £3.5million.
“We await the results of this year’s survey but we’re confident that with attendances and the numbers of competitors and their family means the popularity of the event will reveal a very significant economic benefit to an area which needs every help it can get in order to survive and develop.”
The decision to award the 2020 Mod to Inverness was announced by An Commun yesterday – with Inverness provost Councillor Helen Carmichael in Stornoway for the announcement.
The final ceremonial event of the Mod will take place today with a massed choir parade from Stornoway Town Hall to the Nicolson Institute, starting at midday.