City chiefs hoping to reel in Mod

Published on Thursday 18 September 2008 10:11

CULTURE chiefs are to consider a bid to bring the Royal National Mod to Edinburgh as part of plans to boost the city's involvement in Gaelic arts.

The showpiece festival, considered the premier celebration of Gaelic language, arts and culture, has not been staged in the Capital since 1986.

Councillors this week approved a new Gaelic arts strategy for the city, which includes a series of recommendations – such as setting up a specific base for artists and Gaelic speakers – as well as trying to secure the Mod.

Culture leader Deidre Brock today said there were no immediate plans to launch a bid for the festival, but said she would like to see it in the Capital. Organisers reacted warmly to the idea.

The 12,000 strategy, paid for by the Scottish Arts Council, was commissioned by the council in 2005 to make Gaelic arts "more visible and more accessible to a wider audience". The work was carried out by independent consultant John Murphy, with support from the Centre for Community Arts Research and Practice and Queen Margaret University.

Describing the findings as a "new cultural opportunity" for Edinburgh, Mr Murphy concluded: "The Gaelic arts are recognised as being of central importance to the culture of the nation, and as such should have a significant role to play in the development of arts within the city.

"Edinburgh should embrace truly and encourage all of the cultures of modern Scotland."

Major concerts, drama, ceilidhs and other artistic events would be held across the Capital for a week in October if the city won the right to host the Mod, with around 10,000 visitors likely to attend. The council last applied in 2003, but lost out to Dunoon.

The location of the annual Mod is announced three years in advance, with the 2011 winner due to be unveiled next month, so 2012 would be the earliest possible date – although that is unlikely.

Cllr Brock, whose children are taught in Gaelic at Tollcross Primary, said: "While we have no immediate plans to bid to host the Mod, the Gidhealach's premier event is something we would like to see in Edinburgh one day, so we certainly wouldn't rule out a bid in the future."

John Macleod, president of An Comunn Gidhealach, which runs the Mod, said the organisation was "conscious" of demand from areas outwith the Highlands and Islands.

"There is an active Gaelic community in Edinburgh, and as far as facilities and halls go, there are many positive indicators that the Mod could do well in Edinburgh at some point in the future," he said.

A council spokesman said: "Although there are no immediate plans, we wouldn't want to rule out the future development of a Gaelic arts case in the city.

A Scottish Arts Council spokeswoman added: "We support Gaelic arts as an inherent part of our vibrant and diverse culture. We supported the commissioning of this report and we welcome its publication."

What the strategy says

The Edinburgh Gaelic arts strategy's recommendations:

&#149 There should be an identifiable base for the Gaelic arts in Edinburgh.

&#149 The Gaelic language should have a higher profile in the marketing and promotion of Gaelic arts events.

&#149 Gaelic arts events for young people should be developed and promoted through schools, pre-school play groups and parent groups.

&#149 A Gaelic cultural presence should be both encouraged and sought within all city festivals.

&#149 The council should continue in its quest to secure the National Mod for the city.

&#149 Established arts venues in the city should be encouraged to commission and promote Gaelic theatre and music for promotion to a wider audience.

&#149 The Gaelic language should enjoy an equality of status in the city alongside Scots and English.