Mod winner used tragedy of family as inspiration

THE coveted gold medal, the main individual award at the Royal National Mod, was this year hit with a note of poignancy as Uist man Neil Campbell walked away with the main singing prize.

Mr Campbell, a local development officer, captured the prestigious title with the inspirational thoughts of his father and family running through the back of his mind.

Callum Campbell, Neil’s father, lost his life, along with his daughter Murdina, her husband Archie MacPherson and their two children, as they were swept to sea fleeing their house on the exposed Uist coastline which was battered by gale force winds and heavy seas in 2005.

The Mod gold medal winner was offered a moment to reflect on the tragedy as he paid tribute, not only to his father, but also his mother, who passed away years previously.

“My father was a great piper but my mother always encouraged me as well,” said Mr Campbell, 43. “I did not take part in the Mods for a few years after it happened, but I’m glad I went for it this year and it’s obviously worked out well.”

Mr Campbell was offered words of encouragement from well-known Uist singer Paul McCallum, a former medal winner. He quickly spotted Mr Campbell’s clear potential.

“It was a wee while after it happened and he basically encouraged me, saying I’ve got the voice to do it,” said Mr Campbell.

But it was still far from easy as the prescribed song contained the metaphor of a drowned man trying to make it to shore.

“It was emotional,” said Mr Campbell. “When I was going through the line in practice I just did it with a smile on my face cause I didn’t want to think about it. But Dr Margaret Mackinnon, who has a doctorate of music, said I had to sing that line with feeling otherwise there was no way I was going to win it. So I did that and apparently the judges were crying.”

Meanwhile, the female medal went to a singer who is already well known in the Gaelic world — and a fellow islander to boot.

Catriona Watt, a graduate from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, from Stornoway, said: “It was good, I’m just really delighted.” Asked if she was now going to pursue singing as a profession, she said: “We’ll just wait and see.”

Catriona was all smiles as she embraced her father Calum, after winning the coveted prize. He broke his leg in a fall at the local swimming pool two weeks previously and it was touch and go whether he would be able to attend this week’s events.

But with one of the crutches thrown in the air in celebration at his daughter’s winning performance, he said: “We’re just really delighted. She worked for it and it is good that Catriona won this because she is from a strong singing tradition.”

The Mod celebrations also saw the unveiling of a new website designed to act as a one-stop shop for all Gaelic learners.

Described as a unique collaboration of all Gaelic groups, the website will offer services to a wide range of ages and language abilities, from under the age of five up to adults.

One Gaelic learner who has already endorsed the site is TV weatherman Sean Batty.

“I am so glad this website has been set up,” he said. “It really is great to see all the Gaelic resources pulled together into one contained site. It took me weeks to find a course to learn Gaelic in my local area as there was no one place to look and check.

“Learners like myself will find this new site absolutely fantastic as there are so many learning resources to hand which are very well organised into categories.”

RESULTS

WEDNESDAY

VOCAL SOLOS

Oran Mor Mr and Mrs Archibald MacDonald Memorial Trophy (women) 1. Catriona Watt, Glasgow; 2. Mairi Fernandez-Ares, Glasgow; 3rd equal. Ceitidh Smith, Kyle of Lochalsh and Gillian MacDonald, Perthshire. F.S. Cameron-Head Memorial Trophy (men) 1. Alastair Gray, Wick; 2. Domhnall-Iain MacIlle Dhuinn, Glasgow; 3. John Howieson, Portree; 4. Niall Caimbeul, Benbecula. Sea Song Bank of Scotland Cup 1. Lawrence Butler Perks, Aberdeen; 2. Iain MacPherson, Campbeltown; 3.Fergus Muir, Islay; 4. Iain Gordon, Nairn. Working Song Catherine M.B. Dunlop Quaich 1. Jennifer Campbell, Glasgow; 2. Donna Dugdale, Tobermory; 3. Rena Gertz, Prestonpans; 4th equal. Joanna Peteranna, Benbecula and Raonaid M J Deans, Cumbernauld and Sandie Kennedy, Fife. Traditional Moray Trophy (women) 1. Wilma Kennedy, Dundee; 2. Alison NicAnnain, Glasgow; 3. Cairistiona Stone, Caithness; 4. Eilidh MacLennan, Eilean Leodhais. Lochaber Rotary Club Trophy (men) 1. Duncan MacKinnon, Isle of Skye; 2. Micheal MacAoidh, USA; 3rd equal. Anndra Robasdan, Eilean Leodhais and Raymond Bremner, Caithness.

DUETS

Neil MacLean and Jenny M. B. Currie Trophy 1. Emma A C Deans & Rachael M J Deans, Lanarkshire; 2. Raymond Bremner & Riona J Whyte, Mull & Caithness; 3. Wilma Kennedy & Nicola Pearson.

CLARSACH

Solos (Junior) Helmsdale Trophy (beginners) 1. Abigail Campbell, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise; 2. Shannon MacDonald, Sleite; 3. Eilidh Jenkins, Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu. K. Barry Milner Trophy (intermediate 1) 1. Cara McLuskey, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise; 2. Sim MacDhomhnaill, Ard-sgoil Sheumas Ghilleasbaig; 3. Corrie Lawson, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cise. (Senior) Elspeth A. Hyllested Trophy (advanced) 1. Ellie Evans, Edinburgh; Original Composition Margaret Balfour Trophy 1. Ellie Evans, Edinburgh.

Wirestring Clarsach

Derek Bell Quaich (advanced) 1. Flora Bramwell, Aberdeenshire.

Ensembles

Pilgrim Harps Trophy (open) 1. Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.

THURSDAY

ORAL

(LEARNERS) Poetry Recitation Ali Abbasi Memorial Cup 1. Audrey Roshier, Dundee; 2. Elaine Ferrie, Dundee. (FLUENT SPEAKERS) Prose Reading 1. F Ann MacLean, North Connel; 2. Sine Pendergast, California; 3. Ann Cameron MacRae, Illinois. Speech 1. Seonag Anderson, Inverness; 2. F Ann MacLean, North Connel. (FLUENT and LEARNERS) Humorous Monologue Anglo Chilean Trophy 1. F Ann MacLean, North Connel.

VOCAL SOLOS

Gold Medal Finals (women) 1. Catriona Watt, Glasgow; 2. Gillian MacDonald, Perthshire; 3. Ceitidh Smith, Kyle of Lochalsh; 4. Mairi Fernandez-Ares, Glasgow. (men) 1. Niall Caimbeul, Benbecula; 2. Seumas Mac an t-sagairt, Eilean Leodhais; 3rd equal. Calum MacLeoid, Dun Eideann and Domhnall-Iain MacIlle Dhuinn. Donald Thomson Prizes for Gaelic - (men) 1. Niall Caimbeul, Benbecula; 2. Seumas Mac an t-sagairt, Eilean Leodhais and Domhnall-Iain MacIlle Dhuinn. (women) 1. Gillian MacDonald, Perthshire; 2. Catriona Watt, Glasgow. Gilbert MacPhail Prizes for Music - 1. Niall Caimbeul, Benbecula; 2. Seumas Mac an t-sagairt, Eilean Leodhais. Solo, with instrumental accompaniment Largs Trophy 1. George Ferguson, East Kilbride; 2. Iain Gordon, Nairn. Silver Pendant Final (Learners) (women) 1. Raonaid M J Deans, Cumbernauld; 2. Donna Dugdale, Tobermory; 3. Joanna Peteranna, Glasgow; 4. Jennifer Campbell, Glasgow; 5. Wendy MacKay, Sutherland. (men) 1. Iain MacPherson, Campbeltown; 2. Lawrence Butler Perks, Aberdeen; 3. Iain Gordon, Nairn; 4. Fergus Muir, Islay Morag Robb Memorial Salver for Gaelic - Iain Gordon, Nairn. John A MacRae Quaich for Music - Iain MacPherson, Campbeltown.

RURAL CHOIRS

Grampian TV Trophy (women) 1. Coisir Sgire a’ Bhac; 2. Lochs Gaelic Choir; 3. Coisir Ghaidhlig Thung. Angus MacTavish Memorial Trophy for Gaelic - Coisir Ghaidhlig Thung. Blairgowrie Rotary Club Trophy for Music - Coisir Sgire a’ Bhac. Puirt-a-beul Aline MacKenzie Memorial Trophy 1. Lochs Gaelic Choir; 2. Coisir Sgire a’ Bhac; 3. Coisir Ghaidhlig Mhealabhaich. Calum Robertson Memorial Trophy for Gaelic - Lochs Gaelic Choir. Evelyn Huckbody Memorial Trophy for Music - Lochs Gaelic Choir. Folk Groups Marshall Stormonth Memorial Trophy 1. An t-Eilean, Skye; 2. Clann Mhic a’ Mhaoilein, Leodhais

DRAMA

“West Highland Free Press” Quaich (premier award) - Sgioba Drama Uibhist. Susan B. MacDonald Trophy (best producer) - Sgioba Drama Uibhist. Strathspey Highland Malt Whisky Trophy (best stage presentation) - Sgioba Drama Uibhist. Dr Lynn Hagman Memorial Trophy (best actress) - Catriona MacCuish, Sgioba Drama Uibhist. Dr Lynn Hagman Memorial Trophy (best actor) - Iain Morrison, Sgioba Drama Uibhist. Badenoch Shield (best original Gaelic play of the year) - Sgioba Drama Uibhist. Art MacLeod Memorial Trophy (best acted play) - Sgioba Drama Uibhist.