Scots festivals you must visit

Fringe At The Mod Isle of Lewis and elsewhere

SCOTLAND’Sbiggest bash for Gaelic lovers is well under way.

But the boss of the Mod Fringe says language is no barrier to having a right good time.

“You definitely don’t need to speak Gaelic,” insists Bob Kenyon, one of the two organisers of the Fringe at the National Mod.

“There are loads of music sessions, little dramas and more. “The storytelling is bilingual. “We really want to be inclusive, so we generally try to make all the presentations in English as well.”

Harris-born Bob, 64, says Gaelic has a real international appeal.

“The internet has opened things up,” he insists. “There’s a large interest in the language from other countries.”

Things kicked off on Friday and the country’s biggest Gaelic festival regularly attracts more than 10,000 people to events in Lewis throughout the course of the week.

While the main focus of the National Mod is promoting the language through song, poetry and literature with a series of competitions, there’s an alternative remit for the Fringe.

“We’re here to provide entertainment and have things that are a bit different,” says Bob.

“I suppose we’re a bit like the Edinburgh Fringe – although very different in size obviously.”

As well as having something for those who speak Gaelic and those who haven’t a clue, Bob says there’s an all-ages family appeal, too.

“We’ve got puppet-led yoga, for example. The family yoga sessions are via a puppet operated by three hardworking puppeteers – it’s a chance to see what the human body isn’t capable of! (Stornoway, Monday and Tuesday).

“We also have Music At The Stones. That’s where emerging musicians perform in the shadow of the iconic Callanish Stones. (Callanish Visitor Centre Tuesday and Thursday).”

Storytelling is at the heart of the Fringe with Gach Sgeul (Each Story) featuring Essie Stewart.

She grew up hearing her grandfather’s tales and re-tells them in her own inimitable style. The sessions will be held in the intimate venues of Taigh Dhonnachadh in Ness and in the Harris Distillery in Tarbert.

And Neil Munro, best known for his Para Handy tales, also wrote a number of stories about drapery salesman Jimmy Swan, which have been adapted to form the basis of a drama SOLAS( Joy) at An Lanntair, Stornoway on Tuesday 20.