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Organisers sing the praises of 'best ever' National Mod

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Published Date: 20 October 2007
By MURRAY MACLEOD
AT THE ROYAL NATIONAL MOD
COMPETITORS at this year's Royal National Mod in Fort William have been given a major confidence boost by judges who said they had played their part in making the week-long festival one of the best ever.
During the closing of the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield, the main choral event, adjudicators Iain Archie Morrison and Barbara MacLeod said that the standard of competition over the past few days had been exceptionally high.

Ms MacLeod said the Lo
vat, with 12 entries, had provided the 1,000-strong crowd with a "musical feast", adding: "There is nothing else in this country to rival the Royal National Mod."

The competition, which many regard as the pinnacle of the 200-odd events, was won by the Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association, who have been the runners-up for the past six years.

Conductor Kenny Thomson commented: "I am absolutely ecstatic. I felt we sang as well as we could, but we have been equally good before and ended second."

John MacLeod, president of Mod organisers, An Comunn Gaidhealach, said he felt Fort William fully justified its reputation as one of the best locations for the Mod.

"It's been a very successful week," he said. "We have had good attendances at the competitions and at all of the events. There's been a good atmosphere in the town and I have heard reports of how welcoming and helpful the local people have been.

"It was also helpful to have discussions over the future of the Mod and how it could be developed. I think it would be fair to say we've put to rest the issue of whether the Mod should be abolished. What we are talking about now is how it can be developed."

Mr MacLeod said there had been some problems with competitions being delayed and running late, something which he felt "may need to be looked for next year".

Meanwhile, an economic assessment during the Mod in 2005, when it visited the Western Isles, demonstrated the value of the event to the host area.

The research, by Western Isles Council, estimated that around £1 million was pumped into the local community.

Councillor Iain Morrison said: "We think that is a conservative estimate. One of the problems we had in Stornoway was that a lot of the pubs and hotels were charging an entrance fee and it meant that once people were inside a place they tended to stay put, rather than drift about from place to place."

Fort William provost Allan Henderson added: "From the reports I have had, and from what I've seen, it has been a tremendous success. We have had no major problems of note and the Mod committee have done a great job of organising the event.

"We were fortunate to have had a high-profile visit from the culture minister Linda Fabiani and a royal visit as well from Prince Edward. The Mod has given a great boost at the area at the end of the tourism season."

MOD RESULTS – FRIDAY


VOCAL SOLOS

TS234 TRADITIONAL FINAL (MARY LAMONT GOLD MEDAL)

Women 1. Mary MacMillan, Glasgow. 2. Wilma Kennedy, Dundee. 3. Margaret McLeman, Isle of Lewis. 4. Amanda Millen, Roy Bridge.


Men 1. David MacKenzie, Lochs. 2. Darren MacLean, Isle of Skye. 3. Calum Rothach, Glen Urchardainn.

The Scotia Trophy for the competitor gaining the highest mark – Mary MacMillan, Glasgow.

CHORAL A302 MARGRAT DUNCAN MEMORIAL TROPHY

1. Largs Gaelic Choir. 2. Nairn Gaelic Choir. 3. Dundee Gaelic Musical Association.

John McNicol Memorial Trophy for Gaelic – Largs Gaelic Choir. Stafffinders Quaich for Music – Nairn Gaelic Choir.

A304 LADIES’ CHOIRS (ESME SMYTH TROPHY)

1. Dingwall Gaelic Choir. 2. Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association. 3. Coisir Lunnainn.

Donald U. Johnston Trophy for Gaelic – Coisir Lunnainn.

Angus Johnston Trophy for Music – Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir.

A307 MEN’S CHOIRS (MULL AND IONA SHIELD)

1. Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association. 2. Coisir Ceann an Tuirc. 3. Stirling Gaelic Choir.

Glen Ballachulish Trophy for Gaelic – Stirling Gaelic Choir.

Cor Meibion Bro Glyndwr Trophy for music was jointly awarded to – Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association and Coisir Ceann an Tuirc.

A308 PUIRT-A-BEUL (GREENOCK GAELIC CHOIR CUP)

1. Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association. 2. Dingwall Gaelic Choir. 3. Coisir Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis. 4. Aberfeldy & District Gaelic Choir. 5. Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir.

A309 CHOIRS OUTSIDE SCOTLAND (CELTIC CONGRESS SCOTLAND SALVER)

1. Cor Duibhlinne.

A278 WAULKING SONG (HARRIS TWEED AUTHORITY TROPHY)

1. Comhlan Luadh Bhaideanach. 2. Mnathan Lacasdail. 3. Ceilleachan Ceit.


CHORAL A301 LOVAT AND TULLIBARDINE SHIELD

1. Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association.
2. Coisir Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis.
3. Dingwall Gaelic Choir

“Oban Times” Silver Salver for music – Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association.

“Weekly Scotsman” Quaich for Gaelic – Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association.

Donald J MacAskill Memorial Trophy for Gaelic – Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association.

Malcolm G. MacCallum Silver Baton for conductor of winning choir – Kenneth Thomson.

Hector Russell Dirk for conductor of winning choir – Kenneth Thomson

Colin Grant Sangster Silver Baton for conductor of winning choir – Kenneth Thomson

Hugh MacCowan Trophy (highest marks by an Argyll choir) – Coisir Ghaidhlig Ile

J. Norman McConochie Trophy for music (A301, A304, A307 and A308) – Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association.

Rev William MacDonald Memorial Quaich for Gaelic (A301, A304, A307 and A308) – Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association.



The full article contains 876 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 19 October 2007 9:26 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Royal National Mod
 
1

Boy Wonder,

20/10/2007 06:20:31

Nothing else to rival the Mod??

The Mod is like Baseball. Especially the World Series!

It's only played in one country, by one country ... and they have the nerve to call it a world event!!

This is one reason why I criticise the event, It's so far up its own backside with smug, self-satisfied self-importance!

It needs new blood to lead it with an eye on radical change and reflecting MODERN culture, not that of a bygone age. Tradition has its place, but not to the extent it has as the end-all be-all.

TV's Gaelic doesn't help. It's shoddy, gloomy, morose, monotone delivery is as dull as dishwater.

Our ancestors who had the Gaelic were raucous, party-loving social people, who loved a good fight as much as a good party!

What we get is a Victorian leftover of a staid, presbyterian, deadly dull, prim and prissy, funeral wake!

Change now ... or you'll lose out in the long run and the language of our ancestors will definitely die .. and deserve too!

2

Aubrey W,

Fyfe 20/10/2007 07:39:37

The Mod is nice and quaint. All for it. But if you want a decent sized cultural event - go to Wales' National Eisteddfod. Not that any newspapers pay it much attention outside Wales - the middle classes have more important things to write about - anyone else's culture - in fact.

3

Chuck Vindaloo,

20/10/2007 08:06:42

#1 Boy Wonder, old bean have you ever been? You can barely get to the bar for rough arsed Canadians practicing their heedrum hodrums.

Gaelic TV is better produced than the other keech on Beeb Scotland, Euorpa is the best documentary strand they have.

Gaelic kiddys tv again is brilliant. We live int he sooth west and my kids still watch it. It's amazing how much they can pick up just from subtitles and repetition.

Shut ins at the Mod are the closest things we have in Scotland to bacchanalian orgies albeit with smirry weather and bad backs.

4

J. E.,

20/10/2007 08:15:48

Boy Wonder

You make some good observations, ones which are increasingly being made by many supporters of the event itself.

http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=600&id=166166...

The findings of research conducted by the Western Isles Council cited in this article are interesting. When the Mod was held in the Western Isles “around £1 million was pumped into the local community”.

The bare figure of £1 million lacks clarity. It would be good to have a breakdown of this figure. How much from public sources and how much from private individuals and businesses?

The words of councillor Ian Morrison, however, indicate that much of the money came from Mod enthusiasts being charged money to enter eating and drinking establishments. Is this a form of Gael on Gael fleecing? The unacceptable face of Gaelism!

5

Mercutio,

Falkirk 20/10/2007 08:25:48

#1BW your ignorance re the "WORLD" series named after a newspaper, is further demonstrated by your crass remarks about the MOD.

6

Calum Crubag,

20/10/2007 08:50:52

JE - i challenge you to go to a Gaelic school and see the cognitive, social and cultural benefits of bilingualism. It's easy for keyboard whingers to negate the positive efforts of others but most don't have the courage to actually go and find out for themselves. Any amadan can Google some stats.

Much of the Gaelic community operates without any official grants or support. - the volunteers at Sradagan, local drama groups, Gaelic punk and those who just speak it daily. It is still afterall a natural and living tongue, though one that does need support after all the expense and effort over generations in trying to extinuigish it.

Having said that, all kids need education and Gaelic-medium has been proven to give the children the afore-mentioned benefits. These children who will also attainn a 3rd language to some degree of fluency stand to fair better against those international competitors who all speak 2 or 3 tongues. A sound knowledge and understanding of you nation's core identity is also important. Similarly for TV. As long as the program is good, does it matter if it's in Gaelic? The program 'Eorpa' is regularly watched by 2 or 3 times the number of Gaels. And, if the BBC can spend £10m on ONE English football match, then we Scots can have a range of services in our auld tongue.

So, JE, stop whinging. If you have the courage go and visit these schools. Read the books of Colin Baker from Bangor Uni. Read the report of Richard Johnstone of GM eductaion.

7

Calum Crubag,

20/10/2007 08:54:13

A thaobh a Mhoid... it is a bit sean-fhasanta. There is some good modern stuff around though:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaelic_punk

8

Finlay M. Macleoid,

TI-Plus 20/10/2007 09:42:50

Over a number of weeks, it became clear that those interested in the Gaelic language in whatever sphere should be able to debate issues and put forward arguments from strength and not weakness, so that is why I have deceided to join in some of the discussions on this site.

It would also be of interest to know who is saying what and that is why I have no difficulty in clearly stating who I am.

9

Helen,

20/10/2007 10:06:26

I'm a member of the Edinburgh Saltire Gaelic Choir. Not all the members are Scottish....and that includes me. Many of us are ordinary people interested in the Gaelic language, and would describe ourselves as learners. It's a beautiful language and the songs are fantastic. It's a real challenge learning the music and the words but that's what I enjoy about it.

10

Nìall,

Donostia, Euskal Herria 20/10/2007 10:10:04

Calum, JE didn't say anything about Gaelic Medium Education -- he was talking about the Mod.

But I disagree with BW: the Mod's not presbyterian -- it's anglican. All those "Gaelic" choirs sing in a style that wouldn't be out of place in Westminster Abbey (and I say that as a former Gaelic chorister and choral conductor).

It's not only un-Gaelic, but entirely un-Scottish.

Suas leis a' Revolution!

11

An Taghan,

Cill Fhinnean 20/10/2007 10:15:17

# 1
You clearly don't ken much about Gaelic T.V. then. Why should it have to justify itself to an idiot like you anyway, when there is so much rubbish on the English T.V. (note the poster above who mentioned 10 million on the Sassies' fitba)?

Also, how on earth are the Gaelic weans' progams (such as De a-Nis?) or something like 'Tir is Teanga' 'shoddy and morose'? Have you seen them, or are you as thick and ignorant as you come across?

Lastly, maybe the Mod is old fashioned. And? So are vintage cars and bottles of the finest alcohols. I personally wouldn't go to the Mod, but it is what it is, and many enjoy it - let them do so without your ill-informed criticisms. If people want something more modern, then they'll establish it themselves.


Lastly

12

An Taghan,

Cill Fhinnean 20/10/2007 10:20:31

Oh, I'd also ask you to consider how fecking cheesy this sounds. I take it you're an American?

'Our ancestors who had the Gaelic were raucous, party-loving social people, who loved a good fight as much as a good party!'

Buying into a bit of a myth here, no? So they were never sad or angry? Or even peaceful? Good God, shut up you cheeseball.

13

Finlay M. Macleoid,

TI-Plus 20/10/2007 13:36:27

One of the best things about the Mod is the friendliness of all those who take part either as competitors or as spectators. To date I have not been to any other festival where a variety of discussion takes place on a miriad of topics with people you do not know which are then carried forward through the year.

The competitive side is only one aspect of the whole event and not always the most important one.

14

Eric D,

Glasgow 20/10/2007 16:28:01

No 1 - Not diverse enough for you. I think I know where your coming from.

No 9 - Will that be Gaelic , with RP then ?.

15

Cridhe aig MIT,

21/10/2007 03:58:47

Carson nach eil duine bruidhinn mu dheidhinn an deasbad air de th'ann a bhi seinn 's an t-Seann Nos?
Bhuannich na seinnadairean a bha seinn ann an doigh nadurrach aig an robh faireachdainn airson facail am bard, nach rinn cus ullachadh gu bhi direach "perfect". Nach eil sin ag innse gu bheil cuisean ag atharrach? Chan eil gluasad air adhart buannachd gu bhi againn ann a bhi tilgeil a h-uile rud don mhuir mar a tha "Boy Wonder" a toirt a mach.
'S fhearr le gluasad "organic" do dhaoine glic!
Boy Wonder, think about a velvet revolution? And how in the name of wonder do you know that our ancestors were "party loving animals", as opposed to philosophical poets??
Innis dhomh sin, a bhalaich!

16

BK,

Cyberspace 21/10/2007 08:52:16

Suas leis na h-Oilimpeachean Uisge Beatha!


 

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