History
www.dunoonmod2012.org
Royal National Mod 2012 - Dunoon, 12th-19th October
The Royal National Mòd is organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach (The Highland Association) which was founded in Oban in 1891 and has HM The Queen as its Patron. It is Scotland’s premier festival celebrating its Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage and provides opportunities for people of all ages to perform across a range of competitive disciplines including Gaelic Music and Song, Highland Dancing, Instrumental, Drama, Sport and Literature.
Although the focus of the Royal National Mod is on competition, the event also offers a wide and comprehensive programme of non-competitive “Fringe” events which regularly include performances from some of Scotland’s top traditional musicians and Gaelic singers.
In addition to providing a national and international platform for promotion of the Gaelic language and culture, the Mod provides a major economic and cultural boost to the host area and also attracts considerable national and international publicity, raising the profile of the host location. The Mod also represents an annual opportunity for Gaels and non-Gaels to gather and renew old friendships as well as forging new ones.
The updated Royal National Mod Manual is now available for download here.
Looking back at Mòd 2009
The 2009 Mòd returned to its roots. Oban was where the first Mòd was held in 1892 and it proved an ideal venue for the 2009 Mòd. The Official Opening was in the Corran Halls, Oban on the evening of Friday 9th October 2009.The week that followed was memorable. Our Mòd was blessed with beautiful autumn weather. We saw glorious sunshine each day fade into wonderful autumn twilight and lovely evenings. The lights of Oban reflecting across the bay in the evening provided a lovely backdrop to what was a unique event.
A keenly contested Shinty match on the Saturday set the scene for the event and was followed by a peaceful Sunday when many of the Mòd followers attended the Church Service and Celtic Praise.Monday burst into life with an explosion of participants in the Children's Mòd. The numbers of participants on Tuesday reinforced the view that this would be one of the busiest Mòds ever. Wednesday through to Friday saw keenly contested Children's events give way to intense, and good natured, adult competitions.
Participant numbers neared 3,000 with Oban and the surrounding locality benefitting from the presence of over 8,500 during the week. Few of those present would have left disappointed.A feeling of belonging seeped through the week. This was reinforced by the presence of overseas visitors and competitors. In the 2009 Year of Homecoming our American; Australian and European friends contributed to the event. Our Californian visitors managed to make a guest appearance on the BBC Television coverage of the Mòd. The sentiments echoed by these visitors were kind and gracious. They all departed the event with warm feelings of inclusion in a unique Scottish event.A largely traditional fringe to the Mòd saw packed pubs, restaurants and hotels throughout the town with a sell-out final night Dance in the Skippinish Ceilidh House.
The final parade of massed Choirs leaving the town Centre and marching out to the Corran Halls produced an unforgettable scene with a marvellous splash of colour, and a chorus of melodic voices, echoing over a tranquil harbour scene. A fitting finale to what was an unforgettable Mòd in Oban.
Looking back at Mòd 2008
Bringing a National Mòd to a new area is never easy and this year saw Falkirk playing host to a fantastic week of Gaelic language, music and culture. This has also led to many continuing developments in the area, not least the creation of the Falkirk and District Gaelic Forum which will work in conjunction with other local and national agencies in promoting all aspects of Highland culture.
Following a very successful Mòd 2008 the local committee would like to thank all those involved in making Falkirk the place to be for 8 days in October. You can still buy Mod ‘08 merchandise online at www.mod2008falkirk.org/product.asp - all remaining items are half price!
Looking back at Mòd 2007
Members of the Royal Family regularly attend the Mod and Mod 2007 was delighted to welcome HRH The Earl of Wessex to Fort William. Mod 2007 also saw the presence of a large delegation from the Nova Scotia Provincial Government with the Honourable Len Goucher Minister for Tourism Culture and Heritage in Nova Scotia performing the Opening Ceremony. The Freedom of Lochaber was bestowed on Chrissie MacEachen who has worked tirelessly for Gaelic in the area.
Mod 2007 was a huge success and saw the event win the award of Event of the Year at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards. Thanks go to all involved with the local committee, the community, the participants and national organisers for their efforts.
