Student honoured by Royal National Mòd in hometown

A YOUNG linguist who travelled from Scotland to Canada to learn Gaelic has collected one of the biggest honours at the Royal National Mòd, during the event’s first visit to his hometown.
By BRIAN FERGUSON
Published 16th Oct 2013, 01:00 BST
HRH Princess Anne was in Paisley for the Royal National Mod today. Picture: Donald MacLeodHRH Princess Anne was in Paisley for the Royal National Mod today. Picture: Donald MacLeod
HRH Princess Anne was in Paisley for the Royal National Mod today. Picture: Donald MacLeod

On the day Princess Anne visited the event in Paisley, 18-year-old Alasdair Mulholland, who was born in the Renfrewshire town, was named Gaelic Learner of the Year.

The Glasgow University student started studying Gaelic just two years ago, while at Breadalbane Academy in Perthshire.

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His teacher, Finlay MacSween, was so impressed by his grasp of the language, he recommended he pursue it further and Alasdair spent a week at the Gaelic College of Arts and Crafts in Cape Breton, Canada, in 2012.

His progress was so rapid his school allowed him to skip the Higher grade and he went on to pass the Advanced Higher “with flying colours”.

Alasdair, who is now studying Gaelic, Czech and Polish at university, said: “Originally I’d been learning Russian at school and I wanted to try a new language.

“Because I live in Perthshire, we’re surrounded by lots of hills and mountains, and I saw all of the hill names and strong Gaelic heritage and wanted to understand the history more.

“It was one of the hardest languages to learn. However, after starting I really enjoyed it.”

Previous winners of the Learner of the Year award were from Texas and the Netherlands. John Macleod, president of An Comunn Gàidhealach, the Mòd’s governing body, said: “Alasdair is to be applauded for the effort and commitment he has demonstrated in learning Gaelic to a level of fluency in such a short time.

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“His experience also shows the importance of having good Gaelic teachers, who encourage students to learn and use the language, and in so doing leave a valuable legacy.”

Princess Anne is the first member of the Royal Family to visit the Mòd since Prince Charles in 2010, when he attended the event in Thurso.

MOD RESULTS

ORAL (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

C142 Poetry Recitation (16-18)

1. Sim MacDhòmhnaill, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.

2. Alison MacVicar, Ard-sgoil an Obain.

3. Sarah MacDonald, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

C92 (13-15)

1. Gillian Maclean, Sgoil Shiaboist.

2. Ally Weir, Ard-sgoil Lochabair.

3. Eilidh Jenkins, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

C42A (11-12)

1. Dòmhnall Lachlann Peutan, Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige.

2. Cameron MacDhòmhnaill, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.

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3. (equal) Seumas Scullion, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, and Rona MacLeod, Tain Royal Academy.

C42 (9-10)

1. Alice Nic a’ Mhaoilein, Còisir Og an Rubha.

2. Rhiannon Kilpatrick, Bun-sgoil Chondobhrait.

3. Eòin Coinneach Cuimeanach, Bun-sgoil Gheàrrloch.

C22A (7-8)

1. Daniel MacLeod, Sgoil a’ Bhac.

2. Anndra Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

3. Molly Fox, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.

C22 (5-6) (Rev Donald Stewart, Duntulm, Memorial Quaich)

1. Islay Scott, Sir E Scott School.

2. Maria Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

3. David Ralston, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

C91 Storytelling (13-15)

1. Ally Weir, Àrd-sgoil Lochabair.

2. Catriona Bain, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

3. Pòl Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

C41A (11-12)

1. Isla NicLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.

2. Ceitidh McLuskey, Àrd-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.

3. Ruairidh Gray, Sgoil Dhalabroig.

C41 (9-10)

1. Marion Mary MacCorquodale, Uibhist a Tuath.

2. Erin NicIlliosa, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.

3. Eilidh Quinn, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

C21A (7-8) (Alasdair MacInnes Cup)

1. Anndra Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

2. Molly Fox, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.

3. Dòmhnall MacGriogair, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

C21 (5-6)

1. Maria Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

2. Aoife Rosa Gibb, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.

3. Eilidh MacDonald, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.

C89 Folk Tale (13-15)

1. Christina Gorman, Paisley.

2. Mìcheal Callan, The High School of Glasgow.

3. Mara Drysdale, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.

C39 (9-12)

1. Cathal Callan, The High School of Glasgow.

2. Màiri Callan, The High School of Glasgow.

3. Laura Penman, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.

VOCAL SOLOS (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

C95 Girls (13-15) (An Comunn Gaidhealach Silver Medal)

1. Emma MacLeod, Sir E Scott School.

2. Christina Gorman, Paisley.

3. (equal) Rebekah MacLeod, Sir E Scott School, and Koren Murray Pickering, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

C44A (11-12)

1. Megan o’ Donnell, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

2. Tawana Maramba, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.

3. Peigi Barker, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis.

C44 (9-10) (Nancy Craik Memorial Trophy)

1. Rhiannon Kilpatrick, Bun-sgoil Chondobhrait.

2. Alice Nic a’ Mhaoilein, Còisir Og an Rubha.

3. (equal) Eilidh O’Donnell, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, and Eilidh Lamb, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.

C96 Boys (13-15) (An Comunn Gaidhealach Silver Medal)

1. Mìcheal Callan, The High School of Glasgow.

2. Calum MacNeacail, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

3. Duncan MacLeod, Tain Royal Academy.

C45A (11-12)

1. Rory MacDiarmid, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

2. Iain MacCarmaig, Bun-sgoil Phortrìgh.

3. Ruairidh Gray, Sgoil Dhalabroig.

C45 (9-10)

1. Cathal Callan, The High School of Glasgow Junior School.

2. Hamish Scott, Sir E Scott School.

3. Eòsaph Caimbeul, An Caol.

C23A Boys and Girls (7-8)

1. Ross MacLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.

2. Hannah Russell, Bun-sgoil Chondobhrait.

3. (equal) Ellie Logie, Bun-sgoil Chondobhrait, and Euan Douglas, Còisir Og Shruighlea.

C23 (5-6)

1. Islay Scott, Sir E Scott School.

2. Maria Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

3. David Ralston, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

C145 Traditional: Girls (16-18) (Hugh and Rachel Morrison Taylor Trophy)

1. Katie Graham, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

2. Isabelle Bain, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

3. Eilidh NicCarmaig, Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh.

C94A Girls (13-15)

1. Amy MacKay, Sir E Scott School.

2. Màiri MacLennan, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

3. Rebekah MacLeod, Sir E Scott School.

C94B Boys (13-15)

1. Calum MacNeacail, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

2. Mìcheal Callan, The High School of Glasgow.

3. Alex John Moireasdan, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

C70A Girls (under 13)

1. Isla NicLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.

2. Màiri Callan, The High School of Glasgow.

3. Sandi Maclean, Ard-sgoil Gheàrrloch.

C70B Boys (under 13)

1. Rory MacDiarmid, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

2. Samuel MacAoidh, Sgoil an Taobh Siar.

3. (equal) Iain MacCarmaig, Bun-sgoil Phortrìgh, and Cameron MacLennan, Bun-sgoil Gheàrrloch.

TSB Scotland Shield (C70A and C70B)

Rory MacDiarmid, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

VOCAL SOLOS (FLUENT and LEARNERS)

C155 Girls (16-18)

1. Mairi MacGillivray, Còisir Og Ghàidhlig Ile.

2. Siobhan MacNab, Còisir Og Ghàidhlig Ile.

3. Eilidh NicCarmaig, Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh.

C156 Boys (16-18)

1. Sìm MacDhòmhnaill, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.

Turriff Trophy for Gaelic (C155 and C156)

Mairi MacGillivray, Còisir Og Ghàidhlig Ile.

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Meryl Mae Stewart Memorial Trophy for music (C155 and C156)

Mairi MacGillivray, Còisir Og Ghàidhlig Ile.

Highland Society of London Trophy (C155 and C156)

Mairi MacGillivray, Còisir Og Ghàidhlig Ile.

C171B Precenting a Psalm (Under 19) (Allan C. MacLeod Memorial Trophy)

1. Calum MacNeacail, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

2. Katy Graham, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

3. Isabelle Bain, Sgoil MhicNeacail.

C171A (under 13) (Jonathan MacDonald, Kilmuir, Trophy)

1. Isla NicLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.

2. Erin NicIlliosa, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.

3. Gemma MacRitchie, Sgoil Lionail.

DUETS (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

C144 (16-18)

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1. Moreen MacLennan & Hazel MacLeod, Sir E Scott School.

C97 (13-15)

1. Mikaela Carmichael & Duncan Carmichael, Àrd-sgoil Sheumais Gilleasbaig.

2. Shannon MacLean & Bethan Sexton, Comunn Gàidhealach Mhuile.

3. Brìghde Chaimbeul & Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul, An Caol.

C74 (under 13)

1. Tawana Maramba & Iris MacLeod, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.

2. Lili McShea & Eilidh Lamb, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.

3. Faith Elson & Kirstyn Howarth, Rionnagan Rois.

JUNIOR COMPETITIONS

FOLK GROUPS (OPEN)

C172 (under 19) (Allan Thomas Mitchell Trophy)

1. Na Deep-fried Mars Bars.

2. Na Seudan.

3. Tàirneanaich.

C172A (under 13) (Murdo MacFarlane Trophy)

1. Caileagan Beaga an Rubha.

2. Còmhlan-ciùil BSGI - A’ Chlann Nighean.

3. Sgoil Shiaboist.

WAULKING SONG

C180 (under 19) (Harris Tweed Authority Award)

1. Clann Thròndairnis.

2. Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis.

DRAMA (OPEN)

C170A (under 19) (John Niven Anderson Memorial Trophy)

1. Tàirneanaich.

2. Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.

C87A (under 13) (Donald MacDonald Memorial Trophy)

1. Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu Group A.

Related topics:Princess AnneScotland