Stormy seas for Mod, but the show goes on

STORMY weather threatened to disrupt proceedings at the Royal National Mod in Stornoway yesterday, with organisers forced to make alternative arrangements in the face of unexpected travel delays.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Oct 2011, 01:03 BST

With winds gusting up to 50mph, Caledonian MacBrayne had to cancel the afternoon ferry from Ullapool, leaving competitors and Mod-goers having to make a long journey through Skye and Tarbert, Harris, to attend.

Mod organiser An Comunn Gaidhealach arranged for two buses to meet them off the Tarbert ferry and take them to Stornoway.

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Chief executive John Morrison said: “We are talking to CalMac all the time, and it’s just something we have to monitor. But we know the weather can change very rapidly.”

An Comunn president John MacLeod said it had a “degree of flexibility” in terms of changing the times for competitions.

The blustery conditions around the various venues in Stornoway did not seem to put competitors off, as the town was once again alive with hundreds of competing youngsters.

Mr MacLeod gave some indication of the logistical organisation which goes into hosting the Mod, with 13 venues being used through the day to host 51 individuals competitions with 665 youngsters taking part.

“We are absolutely certain that the growth and the success of the children’s part of the Mod is a direct success of the developments in Gaelic medium education, and we certainly welcome that,” he said.

It was certainly a good day, irrespective of the weather, for the secondary pupils from Sir E Scott School in Harris, who won seven out of a possible seven trophies.

In a three-way contest for choirs with a high percentage of fluent speakers, in which island rivals Sgoil Lionacleit and the Nicolson Institute also competed, Sir E Scott School swept the board.

Its conductor, Iain “Costello” MacIver, an accomplished and well-known Gaelic musician and singer, said it was without doubt the school’s best ever result at the Mod.

“They were magnificent,” he said of the secondary choir.

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Asked the secret of their success, he said: “Hard work, that’s all, and the fact they are good singers.”

Today will see the Mod really come to life with the start of the adult competitions, including the qualifying rounds for the coveted Gold Medal.

RESULTS

ORAL (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

Poetry Recitation (11-12) 1. Mara Drysdale, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise; 2. Eilidh Jenkins, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu; 3. (equal) Eilidh Reid, Sgoil Bhreascleit, and Lewis Gibson, Falkirk Junior Gaelic Choir. (9-10) 1. Mairi Callan, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu; 2. Isla NicLeoid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn; 3. Domhnaill Lachlann Peutan, Bun-sgoil Crois na Creige. (7-8) 1. Luke MacLeod, Bun-sgoil a’ Bhac; 2. Cathal Callan, The High School of Glasgow; 3. Maia Pickering, Sgoil a’ Bhac. Rev Donald Stewart, Duntulm, Memorial Quaich (5-6) 1. Kitty Anne MacIver, Sgoil a’ Bhac; 2. Molly Fox, Bun-sgoil Stafainn; 3. Sarah Matheson, Bun-sgoil Bharabhais. Conversation (11-12) 1. Eilidh Reid, Sgoil Bhreascleit; 2. Alex John Morrison, Bun-sgoil Bharabhais; 3. Rona Morrison, Sir E Scott School. Ewen Dingwall Memorial Trophy (9-10) 1. Calum A MacLennan, Coisir Og a’ Bhac; 2. Jessica Gow, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu; 3.(equal) Uisdean Reid, Sgoil Bhreascleit, and Mairi Callan, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu. (7-8) 1. Marion Mary MacCorquodale, Sgoil Phaibeal; 2. Lois MacLeod, Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis; 3. Euan Anderson, Sgoil a’ Bhac. (5-6) 1. Lewis Boag, Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis; 2. Faye Smith, Bun-sgoil Steornabhaigh; 3. Iona Mairead Davidson, Bun-sgoil Bharabhais. Storytelling (11-12) 1. Karen MacLennan, Sir E Scott School; 2. Catriona Bain, Coisir Og a’ Bhac; 3. Katie Morrison, Sgoil an Rubha. (9-10) 1. John Alasdair Bain, Coisir Og a’ Bhac; 2. Isla NicLeoid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn; 3. Calum A MacLennan, Coisir Og a’ Bhac. Alasdair MacInnes Cup (7-8) 1. Marion Mary MacCorquodale, Sgoil Phaibeal; 2. Cathal Callan, The High School of Glasgow; 3. Erin NicIlliosa, Bun-sgoil Stafainn. (5-6) 1. Molly Fox, Bun-sgoil Stafainn; 2.(equal) Faye Smith, Bun-sgoil Steornabhaigh, and Ealasaid MacLean, Bun-sgoil Srath na h-Apainne; 3. Annie Sine NicNill, Sgoil Bhagh a’ Chaisteil. Bible Reading (11-12) 1. Catriona Bain, Coisir Og a’ Bhac; 2. Somhairle MacLeoid, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig; 3. Alex John Morrison, Bun-sgoil Bharabhais. (9-10) 1. Isla NicLeoid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn; 2. Domhnall Lachlann Peutan, Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige; 3.(equal) Kirsteen Morrison, Sgoil an Oib, and Annabel Matheson, Bun-sgoil Bharabhais. Folk Tale (11-12) 1. Michael Callan, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu; 2. Findlay Crawford, Onthank Primary; 3. Claire Frances NicNill, Sgoil Bhagh a’ Chaisteil. (9-10) 1. Mairi Callan, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu; 2. Iain Fhionnlaigh Mac an t-Saoir, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise.

CHORAL (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

Two-part Harmony Oban Times Challenge Trophy (13-18) 1. Sir E Scott School; 2. Coisir Ard-Sgoil Mhic Neacail; 3. Sgoil Lionacleit. Mrs Hobbs Cup for Gaelic - Sir E Scott School. Puirt-a-Beul Belle Campbell Trophy (13-18) 1. Sir E Scott School; 2. Coisir Ard-Sgoil Mhic Neacail. Mrs Schroder Cup (under 13) 1. Sir E Scott School; 2. Coisir Og An Rubha; 3. Coisir Og a’ Bhac. Unison Mrs Campbell Blair Trophy (13-18) 1. Sir E Scott School; 2. Coisir Ard-sgoil Mhic Neacail; 3. Sgoil Lionacleit; Angus M. Ross Trophy for Gaelic - Sir E Scott School. Rev Archie M. Beaton Trophy - Sir E Scott School. Heather K. Moore Cup for music - Sir E Scott School. Donald Morrison Memorial Award - Sir E Scott School. Aberfoyle and District Branch Trophy (under 13) 1. Coisir Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise; 2. Coisir Og a’ Bhac; 3. Sgoil Bhreascleit.

VOCAL SOLOS (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

An Comunn Gaidhealach Silver Medal (Girls 13-15) 1. Alison MacInnes, Sgoil Mhic Neacail; 2. Mairi MacLennan, Sgoil a’ Bhac; 3. Kristina MacDonald, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu. (11-12) 1. Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach; 2. Mikaela Carmichael, St George School; 3.(equal) Catriona Bain, Coisir Og a’ Bhac; Tuesday Rose McDonagh, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise; and Corin Murray, Bun-sgoil Lacasdail. Nancy Craik Memorial Trophy (9-10) 1. Peigi Barker, Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis; 2. Elizabeth MacKenzie, Sgoil Lionail; 3. Megan O’Donnell, Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis. An Comunn Gaidhealach Silver Medal (Boys 13-15) 1. Eoghann Peutan, Tain Royal Academy; 2. Jordan Gibson, Falkirk Junior Gaelic Choir; 3. Finlay Cunniffe, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig. (11-12) 1. Lewis Gibson, Falkirk Junior Gaelic Choir; 2. Michael Callan, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu; 3. Duncan MacLeod, Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige. (9-10) 1. Domhnaill Lachlann Peutan, Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige; 2. Rory MacDiarmid, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu; 3. Iain MacCarmaig, Bun-sgoil Phort Righ. (Boys and Girls 7-8) 1. Euan Anderson, Sgoil a’ Bhac; 2. Eilidh MacDonald, Bun-sgoil Airidhantuim; 3. Eilidh O’Donnell, Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis. (5-6) 1. Erin Ann MacLean, Sgoil Lionail; 2. Beth Chaimbeul, Bun-sgoil Chille Mhoire; 3. Molly Fox, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.

VOCAL SOLOS (FLUENT and LEARNERS)

(Girls 16-18) 1. Jayne Morrison, Sir E Scott School; 2. Georgina Durie, Comunn Gàidhealach Mhuile; 3. Iona MacDonald, Sir E Scott School. (Boys 16-18) 1. Ruairidh MacCarmaig, Ard-sgoil Phort Righ; 2. Alan M MacDonald, Isle of Benbecula; 3. Aonghas MacNeacail, Sgoil Mhic Neacail. Turriff Trophy for Gaelic - Ruairidh MacCarmaig, Ard-sgoil Phort Righ. Meryl Mae Stewart Memorial Trophy for music - Ruairidh MacCarmaig, Ard-sgoil Phort Righ. Highland Society of London Trophy - Ruairidh MacCarmaig, Ard-sgoil Phort Righ. Precenting a Psalm Jonathan MacDonald, Kilmuir, Trophy (under 13) 1. Eilidh Murray, Sgoil a’ Bhac; 2. Abigail MacIver, Sgoil a’ Bhac; 3. (equal) Eilidh MacDonald, Bun-sgoil Airidhantuim, and Lauren Marie Matheson, Bun-sgoil Bharabhais.