Royal National Mod set for Stornoway in 2016

By CRAIG BROWN
Published on 19/10/2012 00:00

THE Royal National Mod has announced that it will be returning to the Western Isles for the 112th festival in four years time.

The eight-day celebration of Gaelic music, dance, drama, arts and literature will take place on Stornoway in October 2016.

Although this is only the sixth time in its 120-year history that the Mod has been hosted in the Western Isles, it has become regular event there since its first visit to Stornoway in 1979.

The venues for the festival are traditionally set down four years in advance, with Edinburgh Councilhaving posted its intention to host the Mod in 2017.

John Macleod, president of An Comunn Gàidhealach, speaking from the current Mod in Dunoon, said: “We are pleased to officially announce that the 2016 Royal National Mod will be going back to the Western Isles. We have had lots of successful Mods in the past in the Isles and we look forward to planning another one.”

Local Convener of Western Isles Council, Norman Macdonald, added: “We look forward to extending a warm welcome to all competitors and visitors to the Isles. We have great new facilities that will be able to host the main events and fringe events, not just in Stornoway but throughout the Western Isles.”

Mods that take place in the Western Isles tend to attract high attendance and competitor numbers, on account of the prevalence of Gaelic speakers there.

Yesterday also saw the Gaelic language body Bòrd na Gàidhlig announce that drama will take centre stage in a new community initiative led by it.

Through the National Gaelic Arts Strategy (NGAS) Forum, the body has been working in co-operation with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Creative Scotland, COSLA, BBC ALBA and MG ALBA to establish a support network across the country to encourage the development of drama at a local level.

A steering group has been set up in each district to nurture the development of community drama.

Head of Gaelic Usage at Bòrd na Gàidhlig, David Boag said that encouraging drama was key in developing a structure for the language to develop in.

“The National Gaelic Language Plan identified how important the arts, culture and heritage are for drawing communities together, but also for promoting the status and profile of the Gaelic language,” he said. “Drama can act as a key catalyst in this as it supports a wide mixture of talents such as writing, design and performance skills. It also encourages interactivity between different age groups.”

Welcoming the news, Dr Alasdair Allan, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Skills and Learning, Science and Scottish Languages, said: “As an expressive art, I feel that drama has a significant role to play in the visibility of Gaelic. .”

RESULTS

ORAL (LEARNERS)

Poetry Recitation

Ali Abbasi Memorial Cup

1. Elaine Ferrie, Dundee.

2. Audrey Roshier, Dundee.

ORAL (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

Recitation of Prescribed Poem

1. Eilidh Munro, Glasgow.

2. F Ann Maclean, Isle of Lismore.

Recitation of Prescribed Prose

1. F Ann Maclean, Isle of Lismore.

2. Eilidh Munro, Glasgow.

Prose Reading

1. F Ann Maclean, Isle of Lismore.

2. Eilidh Munro, Glasgow.

ORAL (FLUENT and LEARNERS)

Humorous Monologue

Anglo Chilean Trophy

1. Ailean Domhnullach, Inverness.

2. F Ann Maclean, Isle of Lismore.

VOCAL SOLOS

Former Gold Medal Winners

Kennedy Gillies Trophy

1. Darren MacLean, Glasgow.

2. Lyle Kennedy, Stirlingshire.

Solo, with instrumental accompaniment

Largs Trophy

1. Elizabeth Townsend, USA.

2. Iain Blair, Isle of Skye.

3. Iain Gordon, Nairn.

4. Colin Fisher, Skelmorlie.

Silver Pendant Final (Learners)

Women

1. Jennifer Campbell, Glasgow.

2. Donna Dugdale, Tobermory.

3. Elena Piras, Pitlochry.

4. Wendy MacKay, Sutherland.

Men

1. Robert Daniel Robertson, Fort William.

2. Lawrence Butler Perks, London.

3. Campbell McKenzie, Stornoway.

RURAL CHOIRS

Grampian TV Trophy (Women)

1. Coisir Ghaidhlig an Eilean Mhuilich.

2. Lochs Gaelic Choir.

3. Coisir Ghaidhlig Thaigh an Uillt.

Angus MacTavish Memorial Trophy for Gaelic - Coisir Ghaidhlig an Eilean Mhuilich.

Blairgowrie Rotary Club Trophy for Music - Coisir Ghaidhlig Thaigh an Uillt.

Puirt-a-beul

Aline MacKenzie Memorial Trophy

1. Coisir Ghaidhlig Ile.

2. Lochs Gaelic Choir.

3. Coisir a’ Bhac.

John Young Memorial Trophy for conductor of winning choir - Iseabail Nic an t-Sagairt.

Calum Robertson Memorial Trophy for Gaelic - Lochs Gaelic Choir.

Evelyn Huckbody Memorial Trophy for Music - (equal) Coisir Ghaidhlig Ile and Coisir a’ Bhac.

Quartets

Stornoway Gaelic Choir Cup

1. Na Boireannaich Eile.

2. Dealrach.

3. Largs Gaelic Choir Quartet.

4. (equal) Na h-Oranaiche and Fir an t-Struth.

Folk Groups

Marshall Stormonth Memorial Trophy

1. Ceol Gorm California.

2. Ceol Geal California.

3. An t-Eilean.