Princess Anne to visit Paisley Royal National Mod

The Princess Royal is due to attend the traditional children's day of the Royal National Mod tomorrow. Picture: PA

The Princess Royal is due to attend the traditional children’s day of the 121-year-old event tomorrow.

The last royal appointment at Scotland’s flagship competition for the traditional and Gaelic arts was three years ago when Prince Charles paid a visit during the staging of the Mod in Thurso.

John Macleod, president of An Comunn Gàidhealach, the Mod’s governing body, said: “We’re delighted to welcome a member of the Royal Family to visit the Royal National Mod at a time when we have seen a notable increase in the numbers of children entering competitions.

“It’s encouraging to see a real added interest in the Gaelic language and culture from the younger generation, and some of the credit must go to the continuing popularity of Gaelic medium education in the Central Belt.”

The Mod opened on Friday night in Paisley when a huge crowd turned out for a torchlight procession along the High Street. The first competitions got under way on Saturday, including piping, fiddle, piano and melodeon, as well as the traditional shinty cup final.

Mr Macleod had used his opening Mod address to say he wanted this year’s Mod to act as a “springboard” for the development of Gaelic in the town, saying it was previously a stronghold of “numerous” speakers from the Highland and Islands.

He added: “Gaelic education needs Gaelic communities. We all understand that learning Gaelic through the formal education process is only part of the journey to becoming fully fluent in the language.

“There are different kinds of communities. The kind of community we were accustomed to in the Highlands is quite different to the sort of community that exists in the towns and cities, and it is a great challenge for us to create suitable language communities that will support the new generation of Gaelic speakers.”

Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan said: “Hosting the Royal National Mod for the first time is a tremendous honour for the town and, in addition to this royal visit, we’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors over the eight days of competition, helping to establish Paisley as a cultural destination.”

MOD RESULTS FROM SATURDAY

Finlay Cameron, Junior winner

Piping

B360 Piobaireachhd (James R. Johnston Memorial Quaich)

1. Johnathan Greenlees, Glasgow.

2. Gordon F McCready, Paisley.

3. Gavin Ferguson, Glasgow.

B361 March, Strathspey and Reel (John T. MacRae Cup)

1. Pipe Major Gordon Walker, Ayrshire.

2. Johnathan Greenlees, Glasgow.

3. Calum Watson, Midlothian.

B362 Hornpipe and Jig (Argyllshire Gathering Quaich)

1. Gordon F McCready, Paisley.

2. Gavin Ferguson, Glasgow.

3. Calum Watson, Midlothian.

C130 March (16-18) (Royal Highland Fusiliers Cup)

1. Scott Barrie, Ayrshire.

2. Callum Wynd, St Modan’s High School.

3. Blair Wishart, Park Mains High School.

C131 Strathspey and Reel (16-18) (Col. Murdoch MacTaggart, Bowmore, Memorial Trophy)

1. Scott Barrie, Ayrshire.

2. Sandy Cameron, Dollar Academy.

3. Blair Wishart, Park Mains High School.

C132 Piobaireachhd (under 19)

1. Sandy Cameron, Dollar Academy.

2. Brìghde Chaimbeul, An Caol.

3. Scott Barrie, Ayrshire.

C108 March (13-15) (Roderick Munro Trophy)

1. Brìghde Chaimbeul, An Caol.

2. Donald C Stewart, Stewarton Academy.

3. Connor Jardine, Hamilton College.

C109 Strathspey and Reel (13-15)

1. Donald C Stewart, Stewarton Academy.

2. Brìghde Chaimbeul, An Caol.

3. Connor Jardine, Hamilton College.

C86 March (under 13) (Roderick Ross Memorial Trophy)

1. Finlay Cameron, Spean Bridge Primary.

2. Angus Finlay MacPhee, Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis.

3. William Campbell, Thurso High School.

C85 Chanter (under 13)

1. Eòin Coinneach Cuimeanach, Bun-sgoil Gheàrrloch.

2. Euan MacDonald, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.

3. Ian Hamilton, Paisley Grammar School.

Solo fiddle

B340 (Open) (Sutherland Cup)

1. Elinor Evans, Edinburgh.

2. Jemma Johnson, Dunoon.

C118 (13-18) (Robert McCallum Memorial Trophy)

1. Magnus Westwell, Broughton High School.

2. Hannah MacRae, Àrd-sgoil Lochabair.

3. (equal) Jack Westwell, Broughton High School, and Louisa Barron, Isle of Lewis.

C83 (under 13)

1. Anna Westwell, Leith Walk Primary School.

2. Anna Jean Mackenzie, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

3. Abigail Cavanagh, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

FIDDLE GROUPS

B342 Dr and Mrs Atholl Robertson (Oban) Trophy

1. Na Seann Dhaoine.

C176 (under 19)

1. The Westwell Family.

C176A (under 13)

1. The Clydeside Fiddlers.

2. Na Brògan Dearga.

ACCORDION

B370 March, Strathspey and Reel

1. Brandon MacPhee, Caithness.

2. Graham MacLennan, Stornoway.

C178 (under 19)

1. Ruairidh Morrison, Oban.

2. Craig F Macleod, Isle of Lewis.

3. Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul, An Caol.

C84 (under 13) (Daniel G. R. Burt Memorial Trophy)

1. Kyle Gordon Rowan, Firrhill High School.

2. William Campbell, Thurso High School.

3. Rory MacDiarmid, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

C178A Traditional (under 19)

1. Kyle Gordon Rowan, Firrhill High School.

2. Ruairidh Morrison, Oban.

3. Amina Davidson, Firrhill High School.

MELODEON

C179 (Under 19) (Hebrides Haulage Trophy)

1. Annie NicIllinein, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

2. Màiri MacLennan, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

3. Isabelle Bain, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

C88 (under 13) (Salar Trophy)

1. Duncan Shirkie, Sgoil Shiaboist.

2. Calum Maclennan, Sgoil a’ Bhac.

3. Elizabeth Mackenzie, Sgoil Lionail.

PIANO

C116 (13-18) (Margaret Hill-Boyle Memorial Trophy)

1. Magnus Westwell, Broughton High School.

2. Jack Westwell, Edinburgh.

3. Emily NicDhonnchaidh, Greenfaulds High School.

C81 (under 13) (Jenny M B Currie Kilt Pin)

1. Anna NicNeacail, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.

2. Isla NicLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.

3. Lewis Sutherland, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.