PEOPLE in a remote corner of the Highlands were toasting a double success yesterday, when individual singers from the area won coveted Gold Medals at the Royal National Mod in Fort William.
Jean MacKay, originally from Sutherland, and James Graham, from Lochinver, scooped the prestigious prizes at the annual celebration of Gaelic music and culture yesterday.
It was a fitting tribute for an area which was once populated by a large nu
mber of Gaelic speakers, but which has witnessed a sharp decline in language-related activity over the years.
Ms MacKay, who has been in the final a total of ten times before, said the secret of her success was being able to dedicate more time for rehearsal.
"My coach Margaret MacKinnon, originally from South Uist, moved to Inverness this year and that gave me more of a chance to practice," Ms MacKay said.
Many of the Mod-goers now believe that the Gold Medal, which launched the careers of many renowned Gaelic singers, has lost its way as it is more centred on the classical style of operatic music.
The Traditional Medal is now seen as the most important solo competition.
However, Mr Graham, 25, said: "The Gold Medal is more disciplined; it's more of a test. I'm all in favour of change, but there's no point doing it just for change's sake. With the traditional you get to do your own thing."
He said that while there had been a debate surrounding the future of the Mod, he firmly believed that the week-long festival holds significant value in terms of promoting the Gaelic language.
"I've been attending the Mod since I was seven or eight and it's been great fun," said Mr Graham. "It's really what encouraged me to start Gaelic singing."
The award is expected to launch the professional career of Mr Graham, who unveiled his first CD just after completing the competition. "Gaelic singing is really strong and an indication of that is the large number of albums being produced," he said.
Meanwhile, there was equal reason for celebration in the Western Isles as two local singers lifted the award for Traditional singing.
Mary Macmillan, 33, from South Uist, and David Mackenzie, 28, from Lochs, on Lewis, impressed the judges with their rendition of songs from the islands.
Malcolm MacLean, from the competition sponsors Proiseact nan Ealan [The Gaelic arts agency], said: "The traditional used to be the Cinderella event at the Mod and it's great to see the way it has grown over recent years to become the most popular event. Traditional singing is at the heart of Gaelic culture and is a unique art form that is perhaps at last receiving the recognition it deserves."
Allan Campbell, who chaired the competition, believed the traditional competition could unlock a treasure trove of Gaelic-singing talent.
"I think there is a lot of talent not yet coming forward and I would appeal to people, especially in the islands, to come forward and take the opportunity to display their talents," he said.
In the Gaelic choirs events, it was a good day for Lewis, as Lochs swept the board in the rural choirs competition, winning the overall Lorne Shield and the Mrs MacDonald Memorial Baton.
Conductor Ronnie Murray, a construction surveyor from Stornoway, said: "We have in previous years won occasional prizes and come close to the big trophies, but this year we just seemed to have the right blend of voices to carry off just about everything.
"There was only one competition in the afternoon that we did not win."
MOD RESULTS – THURSDAY
ORAL (FLUENT) A204 Poetry Recitation 1. Mairead NicGuaire, Am Ploc. 2. F Ann MacLean, North Connel.
A205 Prose Recitation 1. F Ann MacLean, North Connel. 2. Mairead NicGuaire, Am Ploc.
A206 Prose Reading 1. Ailean Domhnallach, Inverness. 2. equal F Ann MacLean, North Connel. Mairead NicGuaire, Am Ploc.
Glasgow Skye Association Gold Medal (A204, A205 and A206) – F Ann MacLean, North Connel.
Cardonald Highlanders’ Association Cup (A204, A205 and A206) – F Ann MacLean, North Connel.
VOCAL SOLOS GS224 Gold Medal Finals (Ladies) 1. Jean MacKay, Inverness. 2. Joy Dunlop, Connel. 3. Sineag MacIntyre, South Uist. 4. F Ann MacLean, North Connel.
GS224 Gold Medal Finals (Men) 1. James Graham, Lochinver. 2. Lyle Kennedy, Stirlingshire. 3. John Boa, Edinburgh. 4. Steven MacIomhair, Naast.
A230 Traditional (women) (Moray Trophy) 1. Wilma Kennedy, Dundee. 2. Kerry Finlay, Alness. 3. Amanda Millen, Roy Bridge. 4.equal Margaret McLeman, Isle of Lewis. Mary MacMillan, Glasgow.
A231 Traditional (men) (Lochaber Rotary Club Trophy) 1. David MacKenzie, Lochs. 2. Darren MacLean, Isle of Skye. 3. Calum Rothach, Glen Urchardainn.
Donald Murray Memorial Trophy (A230 and A231) jointly awarded to – David MacKenzie, Lochs and Wilma Kennedy, Dundee.
Scotia Trophy – SS254 Silver Pendant Final (Learners) Women 1. Jennifer Spiers, Isle of Lewis. 2. Linn Phipps, Isle of Lewis. 3. Anne Marie Campbell, Fort William. 4. Rena Gertz, Edinburgh.
Men 1. Somerled Smith, Cumbernauld. 2. Allan Bremner, Oldmeldrum. 3. Iain Gordon, Nairn. 4. Donald R MacIver, Poolewe.
Morag Robb Memorial Salver for Gaelic – Allan Bremner, Oldmeldrum.
John A MacRae Quaich for Music – Somerled Smith, Cumbernauld.
A279 Solo singing with instrumental accompaniment (Largs Trophy) 1. Raymond Bremner, Thrumster. 2. Iain Blar, Gourock.
A305 Grampian TV Trophy (Ladies) 1. Lochs Gaelic Choir. 2. Laxdale Ladies Choir. 3. Coisir Sgir a’ Bhac.
Angus MacTavish Memorial Trophy for Gaelic – Lochs Gaelic Choir.
Blairgowrie Rotary Club Trophy for Music – Lochs Gaelic Choir.
A306 Puirt-a-Beul (Aline MacKenzie Memorial Trophy) 1. Lochs Gaelic Choir. 2. Coisir Sgir a’ Bhac. 3. Coisir Ghaidhlig Thaigh an Uillt.
Calum Robertson Memorial Trophy for Gaelic – Lochs Gaelic Choir.
Evelyn Huckbody Memorial Trophy for Music – Lochs Gaelic Choir.
The John Young Memorial Baton for the conductor of the winning Choir – Lochs Gaelic Choir.
A276 QUARTETS (Stornoway Gaelic Choir Cup) 1. Boireannaich Alainn. 2. Scarbh. 3. Na h-uiseagan. 4. Ceol nan Allt.
Marshall Stormonth Memorial Trophy for music – Boireannaich Alainn.
A277 FOLK GROUPS (Marshall Stormonth Memorial Trophy) 1. Sunndach. 2. Gleusda. 3. Ceol bho Thuath.
DRAMA “West Highland Free Press” Quaich (premier award) – Buidheann Drama Uibhist.
Susan B. MacDonald Trophy (best producer) – Buidheann Drama Uibhist.
Badenoch Shield (best original Gaelic play of the year) – Buidheann Drama Inbhir Nis.
Dr Lynn Hagman Trophy (best actress) – Maggie Willonghy, Buidheann Drama Chille Mhoire.
Dr Lynn Hagman Trophy (best actor) – Calum Munro, Buidheann Drama Inbhir Nis.
Strathspey Highland Malt Whisky Trophy (best stage presentation) – Buidheann Drama Uibhist.
Art MacLeod Memorial Trophy (best acted play) – Buidheann Drama Chille Mhoire.
Donald Thomson Prizes for Gaelic: Men (A221, A223 and GS224) 1. James Graham, Lochinver. 2. John Boa, Edinburgh.
Women (A220, A222 and GS224) 1. Jean MacKay, Inverness. 2. Joy Dunlop, Connel.
Gilbert MacPhail Prizes for Music (A221, A223 and GS224) 1. James Graham, Lochinver. 2. Lyle Kennedy, Stirlingshire.
RURAL CHOIRS A300 Lorn Shield 1. Lochs Gaelic Choir. 2. Coisir Sgir a’ Bhac. 3. Coisir Ghaidhlig Mhealabhaich.
Dalriada Cup for Gaelic – Coisir Sgir a’ Bhac.
Captain Angus Stewart Trophy for Music – Lochs Gaelic Choir.
Mrs Catherine C. MacDonald Silver Baton – Ronald Murray, Lochs Gaelic Choir
A303 Sheriff MacMaster Campbell Memorial Quaich 1. Coisir Ghaidhlig Thaigh an Uillt. 2. Coisir Ghaidhlig Tairbeart Loch Fin. 3. Lairg Gaelic Choir.
Selma Shield for Gaelic – Coisir Ghaidhlig Thaigh an Uillt.
Grace Robertson Memorial Baton – Coisir Ghaidhlig Thaigh an Uillt.
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