THE most prestigious prize at this year's Royal National Mod in Dunoon was won by Inverness Gaelic Choir for the second year in succession with a resounding performance in the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield.
They picked up the glittering prize a full nine points ahead of their nearest rivals, the Glasgow Gaelic Choir, who had be content with the runner-up spot - for an incredible sixth year in a row.
There was some compensation for the Glasgow group,
Scotland's oldest choir dating from 1893, as they won the "puirt-a-beul" (mouth music) and the men's competition earlier in the day.
However, the main focus was on the Lovat, widely recognised as the premier event of all the competitions in the Mod.
Inverness conductor Jamie MacGregor (28), the youngest of all the Lovat choir leaders, said he was "over the moon" at having won.
He added: "We just practise very hard and everyone in the choir gives it 110 per cent."
MOD RESULTS - FRIDAY CHORAL
Lovat and Tullibardine Shield
1. Coisir Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis. 2. Ceolraidh Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu. 3. Dingwall Gaelic Choir. Oban Times Silver Salver for music - Coisir Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis. Weekly Scotsman Quaich for Gaelic - Coisir Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis. Malcolm G. MacCallum Silver Baton for conductor of winning choir - Jamie MacGregor Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy 1. Aberdeen Gaelic Choir. 2. Nairn Gaelic Choir. 3. Largs Gaelic Choir. An Comunn Gaidhealach Centenary Baton for conductor of winning choir - Diane Wright. John McNicol Memorial Trophy for Gaelic - Aberdeen Gaelic Choir. Stafffinders Quaich for Music - Aberdeen Gaelic Choir. Ladies' Choirs (Esme Smyth Trophy) 1. Dingwall Gaelic Choir. 2. Cumbernauld Gaelic Choir. 3. Stirling Gaelic Choir. Donald U. Johnston Trophy for Gaelic - Cumbernauld Gaelic Choir. Angus Johnston Trophy for Music - Dingwall Gaelic Choir. Men's Choirs (Mull and Iona Shield) 1. Ceolraidh Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu. 2. Coisir Ghaidhlig Mhealabhaich. 3. Stirling Gaelic Choir. Glen Ballachulish Trophy for Gaelic - Ceolraidh Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu. Cor Meibion Bro Glyndwr Trophy for music - Ceolraidh Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu. Hector Russell Dirk for conductor of winning choir - Hamish Menzies Puirt-a-Beul (Greenock Gaelic Choir Cup) 1. Ceolraidh Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu. 2. Coisir Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis. 3. Cumbernauld Gaelic Choir. 4. Dingwall Gaelic Choir. 5. Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir. Colin Grant Sangster Silver Baton for conductor of winning choir - Kenneth Thomson. Hugh MacCowan Trophy (highest marks by an Argyll choir) - Coisir Ghaidhlig Thaigh an Uillt. J. Norman McConochie Trophy for music - Ceolraidh Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu. Rev William MacDonald Memorial Quaich for Gaelic - Ceolraidh Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu. Waulking Song (Harris Tweed Authority Trophy) 1. Mnathan Lacasdal. 2. Sgioba Luaidh Inbhir Chluaidh.
DRAMA
Premier Award (West Highland Free Press Quaich) - Buidheann Drama Chille Mhoire. Best Producer (Susan B MacDonald Memorial Trophy) - Peggy MacKintosh, Inveeness. Best Stage Presentation (Strathspey Highland Malt Whisky Trophy) - Angus MacPhail, Carinish, Uist. Best Actress (Dr Lynn Hagman Memorial Trophy) - Catrioina Morrison, Carinish, Uist. Best Actor (Dr Lyn Hagman Memorial Trophy) - Gillespie Ferguson, Skye. Best Original Gaelic Play of the Year (Bademoch Shield) - Mairi E. Nicleoid, Carbost, Skye. Best Acted Play (Art MacLeod Memorial Trophy) - Angus MacPhail, Carinish, Uist.
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