Ardnamurchan Mòd remembers stalwart

Young musicians hit all the right notes in tribute to Charlie MacColl

Dozens of young traditional musicians travelled to Ardnamurchan High School last Friday to showcase their talent at the annual Mòd Aird nam Murchan.

The five peninsula primary schools, the high school and pupils from Mull, Oban and Fort William took part in choral, solo singing, instrumental, poetry recitation and conversation competitions on Friday June 15. The committee was also delighted to have several adult competitors this year as well as Burach, Morvern's adult Gaelic choir.

Despite inclement weather everyone had a great day and adjudicators commented on the high standard of entries. Everyone agreed Ardnamurchan High School was a wonderful setting for the Mòd. In the evening, a packed audience enjoyed the prizewinners' concert.

The event was particularly poignant this year as Mairi MacColl, Charlie MacColl’s widow, and their son Callum attended to present the trophies.

Convenor Fiona MacLean told the audience what a great supporter Charlie had been of the Ardnamurchan Mòd.

Following a ceilidh in Kilmallie last year, his family donated a substantial sum to Mòd Aird nam Murchan.

As well as running a workshop a few weeks ago for local primary school children, the committee used some of the money for the Charlie MacColl Memorial Shield, to be awarded to the local learner or fluent speaker achieving the highest mark in conversation classes, as he was so passionate about encouraging youngsters to learn and converse in Gaelic.

In its inaugural year, Mairi presented the shield to Sean MacLellan, Ardnamurchan High School, for achieving an outstanding mark in the 1315 years' fluent conversation class.

Committee members were delighted that after months of hard work by pupils, teachers and tutors everyone performed so well and enjoyed themselves. Good luck wishes were extended to everyone competing at the National Mòd in Dunoon later this year. The committee looks forward to welcoming everyone back to Ardnamurchan next year.

Sean MacLellan, right, won first prize in the fluent speakers conversation aged 13-1, along with Christy MacPherson, left, who came joint second with Rachel Ford, centre. All three are pupils of Ardnamurchan High.

Sisters Kara and Layla MacIntyre from Coisir Og Loch Alainn. Layla was second and third in her two singing competitions and Kara, in her first Mòd, was first in solo singing learners 5-6 years. Kara also won two trophies – The Kate Stewart Memorial Cup...

Above: Mairi MacColl presents the Charlie MacColl Memorial Shield to Sean MacLellan, Ardnamurchan High School, for attaining the highest mark in conversation competitions, fluent and learners.

Seamus Buchanan who won the 13-18 years accordion competition.

Laura Robertson won two competitions in instrumental and piping and a second in the 13-15 years poetry recital. The next day, Laura took part in the Stirling Mod where she won two competitions and took a second and a third place.

Ryan Cameron of Kilchoan Primary School won the Cupan Shuardail (Swordle Cup) for the highest Gaelic mark in local learners poetry U13 and the Mòd Aird nam Murchan Trophy for highest Gaelic mark in poetry open U13.

Christopher McCowan who won the new conversation competition for Gaelic learners aged 13-18.

Flora Sutherland of Oigridh Shuaineart who was first in her own choice solo.