The Royal National Mòd in Perth draws to a close as flag handed over to Paisley for 2023

The Royal National Mòd 2022 closed today with voices from across the country ringing out over Perth, marking the end of the nine-day festival’s vibrant programme of cultural events and competitions.

Scotland’s premier celebration of Gaelic language and culture was held at 14 venues across Perth from the 14th – 22nd October, and closed with a Massed Choirs Event at Perth High Street and Perth Concert Hall this morning, where the Mòd flag was handed over to Paisley, hosts of the Mòd 2023.

Launch of the Royal National Mòd in Perth today, Friday 14th October. Returning to the Fair City for the first time in 18 years, the historic event will bring fans of Gaelic music and culture together once again to celebrate the language, history and future of the Gaels over the next nine days. Picture shows Annabel Charlton (L) who is 16 years old and part of The Gordon Experience group who are playing tomorrow night at the Ar Cãnan ’S Ar Ceõl / Our Language Our Music concert at Perth Concert Hall with Sofia Isoard van Bekkum (R) who is 8 years old and is also part of the Gordon Experience group who are playing tomorrow night at the Ar Cãnan ’S Ar Ceõl / Our Language Our Music concert at Perth Concert Hall.

Throughout the course of the nine-day event, around 2,100 participants, including towns and villages across Scotland and as far away as Germany, took part in a total of 200 competitions.

Around 7,000 people are estimated to have visited Perth for the festival and it’s thought to have contributed around £1 million to the local economy. Thousands of people from around the globe, including the United States, also tuned in to watch selected Mòd events online.

This year saw a return to form for the Mòd following two years of disruption, with events held online and in a hybrid format in 2020 and 2021. The beloved Choir Competitions were held in person for the first time since 2019, and festival goers were able to enjoy a varied programme of fringe events alongside the flagship competitions and a range of new events including Battle of the Bands and a TikTok competition.

Yesterday saw another round of Choir Competitions – in the Area Choirs, Cumbernauld Gaelic Choir won the Puirt-à-beul competition, while it was an impressive and emotional win for Oban Gaelic Choir, conducted by Sileas Sinclair, who took home the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield. After entering the competition for the first time, Black Isle Gaelic Choir, conducted by Kirtseen Maclennan, won the Margaret Duncan Memorial Trophy. Argyll’s Atomic Piseag won the Area Choir Ladies’ competition.

Sileas Sinclair said: “I’m a bit stunned and speechless by the win and just so pleased for and proud of the choir who have worked so hard to prepare for the Mòd. For me personally, my family has always been involved in the choir, my father and my grandparents, so it just means so much.”

Kirtseen Maclennan said: “We’re absolutely overwhelmed and couldn’t be happier to have won. The choir has worked so hard through the challenges of the pandemic. This is the first time we’ve entered this competition, we’re a new choir, formed just after lockdown and in our first competitive Mòd have lifted the beautiful Margaret Duncan Memorial Trophy. This is especially poignant as this was the first trophy my father Hamish Menzies won back in 1963, he was very fond of this trophy having won it multiple times, so it means a great deal to myself, my son and the rest of the choir.”

Elsewhere, Isle of Mull Gaelic Choir took first place in the Harmony Singing competition, while Badenoch was the winning Waulking Group, and Glasgow Gaelic Choir won the Men’s Choral Singing. London Choir Quartet were crowned winners of the Quartet Singing, bringing this year’s competition programme to a close.

Yesterday also brought the announcement of the winner of the first ever Highland Art Prize. Presented by the Highland Society of London, in conjunction with An Comunn Gàidhealach and Perth and Kinross Council, the competition celebrates yet another facet of Gaelic culture and Scottish life.

From a shortlist of 10 outstanding artworks selected by Islay artist and broadcaster Heather Dewar, David Page from Mull Highland Games was crowned the winner with his painting titled ‘Drift’. The award was presented by Mary Ann Kennedy at City Contemporary Art Gallery. The £1,000 prize will be shared between the winning artist and their corresponding art organisation, to help support local participation in art. David Page will also have the opportunity to present his work at an exhibition at the Briggait in Glasgow during 2023, courtesy of Wasps, a charity that provides studios and spaces to artists and creators.

Last night’s Mòd Grand Finale was a fitting final concert for the week, with one of Scotland’s biggest and best loved traditional bands, Trail West putting on an electric performance for the Perth Concert Hall crowd.

James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “What a joy it has been to have Gaels gather once again to showcase and honour our language and culture. It’s also been fantastic to be back in Perth after such a long stint – its fantastic venues, welcoming community and picturesque streets have made it a tremendous Mòd location.

“A huge thank you to everyone who makes the Mòd possible, from the hard-working volunteers to the participants and everyone who came to visit and support the event. To hear Gaelic language and music around venues and on streets across the city all week has been incredible.

“We are looking forward to bringing our Gaelic festival of culture and song to Paisley in 2023, for the first time in a decade. The Mòd will bring a boost in culture and tourism to the town and I’m sure attendees will enjoy the beautiful surroundings and excellent hospitality Paisley has to offer.”

Perth & Kinross Council leader Councillor Grant Laing said: “The return of the Royal National Mòd to Perth had been well worth the wait and Saturday’s finale was spectacular.

“It’s been fantastic to welcome so many competitors and visitors to Perth. There has been a fantastic atmosphere in the city throughout the competition.

“Competitors and audiences have been full of praise for this year’s venues and I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers across Perth and Kinross who have made the Mòd such a success this year.”

Perth and Kinross Provost Xander McDade added: “The Mòd has been a fantastic celebration of Scotland’s Gaelic culture and a wonderful showcase of all Perth has to offer, and our own Gaelic culture and heritage.

“It has been a fantastic eight days and I’m sure everyone who has been involved will remember it for years to come.

“I’d also like to wish Paisley all the best for hosting the Mòd next year – I am sure they will be fantastic hosts.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Perth has provided the perfect stage for this year’s Royal National Mod, and it is wonderful to see this celebration of Gaelic culture close in such spectacular fashion today with the Massed Choirs serenading the streets of the city for the 2022 finale.

“Events play an important role in our communities by allowing us all to connect, enjoy and share memorable experiences and I was delighted to see visitors from across the globe attending and participating in such numbers at this uniquely Scottish event, which has been proudly supported through EventScotland’s International Programme.”

Shona MacLennan, Ceannard, Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: “Mòd Pheairt has been a huge success – a real celebration of Gaelic language and culture. Following a difficult couple of years for everybody, these opportunities to come together not only contribute so much to wellbeing but are also vitally important for the language. Bòrd na Gàidhlig are delighted to support the Mòd and it has been lovely to see new competitions and activities surrounding this years event. Well done to everybody who took part in the competitions and also to everybody who came to celebrate Gaelic. Congratulations to An Comunn Gàidhealach for another outstanding Mòd and to all of the people – young and old – who make the Mòd. Gaelic is for everybody and what better way to celebrate it. Bòrd na Gàidhlig look forward to Mòd Phàislig 2023. Ceud mìle taing dhuibh uile agus meallaibh ur naidheachd le chèile.”

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “It’s an honour to accept the Mòd flag, signalling the return of the Royal National Mòd to Paisley in 2023, exactly ten years after it was last hosted in the town.

“The Mòd promises to be a fantastic celebration of Gaelic culture and heritage and I’m really looking forward to welcoming competitors and visitors to our area.

“Renfrewshire has a rich Gaelic history. There are currently more than 1,500 residents of Renfrewshire who speak, read or write Gaelic, and recently we welcomed the first of many children to our new Gaelic school at West Primary.

“We’ve been working hard alongside An Comunn Gàidhealach and our Local Organising Committee to prepare for the event and further details about the programme will be announced soon.”

The Royal National Mòd will be held in Paisley between 13-21 October 2023. More information is available at www.ancomunn.co.uk.

Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail ann am Peairt a’ tarraing gu crìch agus a’ bhratach a’ dol a Phàislig airson 2023

Thàinig Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail 2022 gu crìch an-diugh le guthan bho air feadh na dùthcha a’ seirm a-mach ann am Peairt, a’ comharrachadh deireadh prògram beòthail na fèise naoi-latha de thachartasan cultarach is farpaisean.

Chaidh prìomh chomharrachadh na h-Alba air cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig a chumail aig 14 ionadan-cruinneachaidh air feadh Pheairt bho 14 – 22 Dàmhair agus dhùin e madainn an-diugh le Tachartas Co-Chòisirean aig Àrd-Shràid Pheairt agus Talla Consairt Pheairt, far an deach bratach a’ Mhòid a shìneadh seachad gu Pàislig a bhios a’ toirt aoigheachd do Mhòd 2023.

Tro chùrsa an tachartais naoi-latha, ghabh timcheall air 2,100 neach, a’ gabhail a-steach bailtean mòra is beaga air feadh Alba agus cho fada air falbh ris a’ Ghearmailt, pàirt ann an iomlan de 200 farpais.

Thathar a’ meas gun do thadhail mu 7,000 neach ann am Peairt airson na fèise agus thathar an dùil gun do chuir e mu £1 mhillean ris an eaconamaidh ionadail. Bha na mìltean de dhaoine bho air feadh na cruinne, a’ gabhail a-steach na Stàitean Aonaichte, ag èisteachd ’s a’ coimhead cuid de thachartasan a’ Mhòid air-loidhne.

Chunnacas am Mòd a’ tilleadh chun na h-àbhaist am-bliadhna às dèidh dà bhliadhna de throimh-chèile, le tachartasan gan cumail air-loidhne agus ann an cruth tar-chinealach ann an 2020 agus 2021. Chaidh na Farpaisean Chòisirean a chumail gu pearsanta airson a’ chiad uair bho 2019, agus bha luchd-tadhail air an fhèis comasach air tlachd a ghabhail à prògram eadar-mheasgte air an iomall còmhla ris na prìomh fharpaisean agus raon de thachartasan ùra, a’ gabhail a-steach Cogadh nan Còmhlan agus farpais TikTok.

An-dè, chunnacas cuairt eile de fharpaisean Chòisirean – anns na Còisirean Sgìreil, bhuannaich Còisir Ghàidhlig Chomar nan Allt an fharpais Puirt-à-beul fhad ’s a bha buannachadh drùidhteach is faireachail aig Còisir Ghàidhlig an Òbain fon stiùir aig Sìleas Nic na Ceàrdaich, a thug dhachaigh Sgiath MhicShimidh is Thulaich Bhàrdain. An dèidh inntrigeadh don fharpais airson a’ chiad uair, bhuannaich Còisir Ghàidhlig an Eilein Duibh, fo stiùir Kirsteen NicIllinnein, Cuach Cuimhneachaidh Mairead NicDhonnchaidh. Bhuannaich Atomic Piseag à Earra-Ghàidheal farpais Còisir Sgìreil nam Ban.

Thuirt Sìleas Nic na Ceàrdaich: “Chan eil fios agam dè a chanas mi an dèidh seo a bhuannachadh agus tha mi dìreach cho toilichte agus cho moiteil às a’ chòisir, a tha air a bhith ag obair cho cruaidh ag ullachadh airson a’ Mhòid. Dhomh fhìn gu pearsanta, tha mo theaghlach air a bhith a-riamh an sàs anns a’ chòisir, m’ athair agus mo shean-phàrantan, mar sin tha e dìreach a’ ciallachadh a leithid dhomh.”

Thuirt Kirsteen NicIllinnein: “Tha seo dìreach iongantach agus cha b’ urrainn dhuinn a bhith na bu thoilichte gun do bhuannaich sinn. Tha a’ chòisir air a bhith ag obair cho cruaidh tro dhùbhlanan a’ phandamaig. Is e seo a’ chiad uair a tha sinn air a dhol don fharpais seo, ’s e còisir òg a th’ annainn, air a cur ri chèile dìreach às dèidh a’ ghlasaidh-sluaigh agus nar ciad Mòd fharpaiseach, agus air Cuach Cuimhneachaidh bhòidheach Mairead NicDhonnchaidh a thogail. Tha seo gu sònraichte tiamhaidh oir is e seo a’ chiad chuach a bhuannaich m’ athair, Hamish Menzies, air ais ann an 1963, bha e gu h-àraid measail air a’ chuaich seo an dèidh a buannachadh iomadh turas, mar sin tha i a’ ciallachadh mòran dhomh fhìn, do mo mhac agus don chòrr den chòisir.”

Ann an àiteachan eile, choisinn Còisir Eilean Mhuile a’ chiad àite ann am farpais Seinn Co-sheirm agus Bàideanach a’ buannachadh nan Òran Luaidh, le Còisir Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu a’ buannachadh Còisir nam Fear. ChaidhCeathrar Chòisir Lunnainn a chrùnadh mar bhuannaichean Seinn Ceathrar, a’ toirt prògram fharpaisean na bliadhna seo gu crìch.

An-dè cuideachd chaidh buannaiche a’ chiad Duais Ealain na Gàidhealtachd a-riamh ainmeachadh. Air a bhuileachadh le Comann Gàidhlig Lunnainn ann an co-bhonn leis a’ Chomunn Ghàidhealach agus Comhairle Pheairt is Cheann Rois, tha an fharpais a’ comharrachadh aon taobh eile de chultar na Gàidhlig agus de bheatha na h-Alba.

Bho gheàrr-liosta de 10 pìosan ealain air leth a chaidh a thaghadh le Fraoch Nic an Deòir, an neach-ealain agus an craoladair à Ìle, chaidh David Page bho Gheamannan Gàidhealach Mhuile a chrùnadh mar bhuannaiche leis an dealbh peantaidh aige fon tiotal ‘Drift’. Chaidh an duais a thoirt seachad le Màiri Anna NicUalraig ann an Gailearaidh Ealain Cho-aimsireil a’ Bhaile. Bidh an duais de £1,000 air a roinn eadar am buannaiche agus am buidheann ealain aca, gus cuideachadh le taic a thoirt do chom-pàirteachadh ionadail ann an ealain. Bidh cothrom aig David Page cuideachd air a chuid obrach a thaisbeanadh sa Bhriggait ann an Glaschu rè 2023, le taing do Wasps, carthannas a bhios a’ toirt seachad làraichean is stiuidiothan do luchd-ealain is luchd-cruthachaidh.

Bha Cuirm Chrìochnachaidh a’ Mhòid glè fhreagarrach mar chonsairt deireannach na seachdaine le Trail West, aon de na còmhlain traidiseanta as motha agus as gràdhaichte ann an Alba, a’ toirt seachad gnìomhadh iongantach don t-sluagh ann an Talla Consairt Pheairt.

Thuirt Seumas Greumach, Àrd-Oifigear a’ ChomuinnGhàidhealaich: “Abair gur e tlachd a bh’ ann na Gàidheil a chruinneachadh còmhla uair eile gus urram a thoirt agus taisbeanadh a dhèanamh air ar cànan is ar cultar. Tha e air a bhith mìorbhaileach cuideachd a bhith air ais ann am Peairt an dèidh ùine cho fada – tha a chuid ionadan-cruinneachaidh air leth, a’ choimhearsnachd bhlàth agus a shràidean bòidheach air a dhèanamh na àite fìor mhath airson a’ Mhòid.

Taing mhòr do na h-uile a tha a’ dèanamh a’ Mhòid comasach, bho na saor-thoilich ag obair cho cruaidh gu na com-pàirtichean agus gach neach a thàinig a thadhal agus a chuir taic ris an tachartas. Tha a bhith a’ cluinntinn na Gàidhlig agus a’ chiùil am measg nan ionadan-cruinneachaidh agus air na sràidean air feadh a’ bhaile fad na seachdaine air a bhith do-chreidsinneach.  

Tha sinn a’ coimhead air adhart ri ar fèis Ghàidhlig de chultar is òrain a thoirt a Phàislig ann an 2023, airson a’ chiad uair ann an deich blaidhna. Bheir am Mòd cuideachadh mòr do chultar agus do thurasachd sa bhaile agus tha mi glè chinnteach gun còrd na seallaidhean brèagha mun cuairt ris an luchd-frithealaidh a thuilleadh air an aoigheachd shàr-mhath a tha aig Pàislig ri thabhann.”

Thuirt an Comhairliche Grant Laing, Stiùiriche Comhairle Pheairt is Cheann Rois: “Is math a b’ fhiach an ùine a bha sinn a’ feitheamh ris a’ Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail tilleadh a Pheairt agus bha an tachartas crìochnachaidh Disathairne dìreach mìorbhaileach.

Tha e air a bhith iongantach fàilte a chur air a leithid de fharpaisich agus luchd-tadhail a Pheairt. Tha làthaireachd air leth air a bhith againn sa bhaile air feadh na seachdaine. Tha farpaisich agus luchd-èisteachd air a bhith a’ làn mholadh ionadan-cruinneachaidh na bliadhna seo, agus bu mhath leam taing a thoirt don luchd-obrach agus na saor-thoilich uile air feadh Pheairt is Cheann Rois a rinn am Mòd cho soirbheachail am-bliadhna.”

Thuirt Xander McDade, Pròbhaist Pheairt is Cheann Rois: “Tha am Mòd air a bhith na shubhachas mhìorbhaileach de chultar na Gàidhlig ann an Alba agus na thaisbeanadh air lethair na tha aig Peairt ri thairgsinn, a thuilleadh air a’ chultar is dualchas Gàidhlig againn fhìn.

Tha ochd làithean mìorbhaileach air a bhith againn agus tha mi cinnteach gum bi cuimhne aig gach neach a bha na lùib air, airson bliadhnaichean ri teachd.

Bu mhath leam cuideachd gach soirbheachadh a ghuidhe do Phàislig airson aoigheachd a thoirt don Mhòd an ath-bhliadhna – tha mi cinnteach gum bi iad nan aoighean air leth.”

Thuirt Pòl Bush OBE, Stiùiriche Thachartasan VisitScotland: “Tha Peairt air àrd-ùrlar foirfe a sholarachadh do Mhòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail na bliadhna seo, agus tha e mìorbhaileach a bhith a’ faicinn a’ chomharrachaidh seo air cultar na Gàidhlig ann an suidheachadh cho dlùth an-diugh, leis na còisirean uile còmhla a’ seinn tro shràidean a’ bhaile-mhòir againn mar chrìoch air Mòd 2022.

Tha àite cudromach aig tachartasan nar coimhearsnachdan le bhith a’ ceadachadh dhuinn uile ceangal a dhèanamh ri chèile, a bhith a’ gabhail tlachd agus a’ co-roinn eòlasan cuimhneachail, agus bha mi air leth toilichte a bhith a’ faicinn luchd-tadhail bho air feadh na cruinne a’ frithealadh agus a’ com-pàirteachadh ann a leithid de dh’àireamhan aig an tachartas Albananch seo gun choimeas, a fhuair taic le pròis bho Phrògram Eadar-nàiseanta EventScotland.”

Thuirt Seòna NicIllinnein, Ceannard, Bòrd na Gàidhlig: “Tha Mòd Pheairt air a bhith anabarrach soirbheachail – comharradh sònraichte air cànan is cultar na Gàidhlig. A’ leantainn an dèidh beagan bhliadhnaichean glè dhùbhlanach dhuinn uile, tha na cothroman sin a th’ againn air a thighinn còmhla a’ cur, chan ann a-mhàin ri sunnd, ach tha iad cuideachd deatamach don chànan. Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig air leth toilichte taic a chur ris a’ Mhòd agus tha e air a bhith cho math a bhith a’ faicinn fharpaisean is ghnìomhachdan ùra mu thimcheall tachartas na bliadhna seo. Is math a rinn gach neach a ghabh pàirt sna farpaisean agus cuideachd gach neach a thàinig a chomharrachadh na Gàidhlig. Mealadh naidheachd air a’ Chomunn Ghàidhealach airson Mòd air leth eile agus na daoine sin uile – sean is òg – a tha a’ dèanamh a’ Mhòid. Tha a’ Ghàidhlig do na h-uile agus dè an dòigh as fheàrr air a comharrachadh. Tha Bòrd na Gàidhlig a’ coimhead air adhart ri Mòd Phàislig 2023. Ceud mìle taing dhuibh uile agusmealaibh ur naidheachd le chèile.”

Thuirt Lorraine Chamshron, Pròbhaist Siorrachd Rinn Friù: “ ’S e urram a th’ ann bratach a’ Mhòid a ghabhail, a’ comharrachadh a’ Mhòid Nàiseanta Rìoghail a’ tilleadh a Phàislig ann an 2023, dìreach deich bliadhna on a chaidh aoigheachd a thoirt dha sa bhaile roimhe.”

Tha am Mod a’ gealltainn a bhith na chomharrachadh mìorbhaileach de chultar is dualchas na Gàidhlig agus tha mi dha-rìribh a’ coimhead air adhart ri fàilte a chur air farpaisich is luchd-tadhail don sgìre againn.

Tha eachdraidh shaidhbhir Ghàidhlig ann an Siorrachd Rinn Friù. Gu làithreach, tha còrr air 1,500 neach-còmhnaidh annan Siorrachd Rinn Friù a tha a’ labhairt, a’ leughadh agus a’ sgrìobhadh Gàidhlig, agus o chionn ghoirid chuir sinn fàilte air a’ chiad de mhòran chloinne gu ar sgoil ùr Ghàidhlig aig Bun-sgoil an Iar.

Tha sinn air a bhith ag obair cruaidh còmhla ris a’ Chomunn Ghàidhealach agus ar Comataidh Eagrachaidh Ionadail ag ullachadh airson an tachartais, agus thèid tuilleadh fiosrachaidh mun phrògram ainmeachadh a dh’aithghearr.”

Thèid Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail a chumail ann am Pàislig eadar 13-21 Dàmhair 2023. Tha tuilleadh fiosrachaidh ri fhaotainn aig www.ancomunn.co.uk.