Fàilte don Ghàildhealtachd

The Gaelic language is in safe hands thanks to the mòds and fèisean and every year thousands of people compete, further their education and talent thanks to them. Performance is at the heart of both organisations and many more people attend their concerts and festivals. These events are not just supported by local people but by tourists from the UK and abroad who go home having sampled a real experience of Scottish culture. An Comunn Gàidhealach was founded in Oban in 1891, and ever since the organisation has been at the heart of promoting and keeping alive Gaelic culture through its teaching, lobbying and the famous network of Mòds and has developed many international links and friendships not only with other Gaelic speaking-countries but around the globe. The ‘provincial’ mòds are smaller events in communities throughout the Highlands and also towns and cities that have Gaelic-speaking populations. They all build towards October and the annual Royal National Mòd – a glorious event lasting for more than a week, full of the finest that Gaeldom has to offer with a great social scene. Those in the know make their way to Mull for its mòd only weeks beforehand as many of the top choirs and soloists use this as their final ‘warm- up’ performances before the big event. Fèisean nan Gàidheal is the National Association of Scottish Gaelic Arts youth tuition festivals. The organisation was founded in 1988 to expand and support the organisation of Gaelic arts tuition festivals and develop these community-based festivals throughout Scotland with immersive teaching courses, specialising in traditional music and culture. You might end up taking part; if not, each fèis usually ends with a concert where the participants showcase all that they have learned. Fèisean nan Gàidheal is currently putting the finishing touches to its programme for this year’s Blas – a nine-day celebration each September of the music, language, song and culture of the Highlands, taking place across a number of venues. Also eagerly awaited are the details of the year’s ceilidh trails, cèilodhean air chuairt, which showcase the talents of young performers aged 16 to 25 in a professional summer tour in their local area, with the support of their tutors and teams of professional musicians. Check the Fèisean nan Gàidheal website for the final details. These events give the young musicians incredible experience to help them develop as performers at the same time creating fantastic evenings for everyone to go along and enjoy. The Scottish music scene is packed full of musicians who will tell you they got their first taste of performing in front of live audiences at these events.