Tha toraidhean Mòd Ghallaibh 2010 rim faighinn an seo.

Graham Hood, the official photographer for Mòd 2010, has a collection of Mòd photographs available for viewing on his website:

Note:
Click on the Text below the Mod 2010 photo on the menu page to see the photographs by day.

http://grahamhoodphotography.com/?load=flash

Tha oifis Inbhirnis agus oifis Steornabhagh a-nise air dunadh oir tha sinn shuas ann an Gallaibh airson Mod 2010.

Ma tha sibh airson greim fhaighinn oirnn, cuiribh post-d gu rena@ancomunn.co.uk.

Bho Diluain gheibhear fonadh gu Oifis a’ Mhoid air 01847 893 822.

CHA BHI AN AIREAMH SEO AG OBAIR RO DILUAIN AN 11mh.

Madainn Dimàirt

Bidh farpaisean C44A (Caileagan 9-10) agus C70B (Balaich fo 13 Seinn san t-Seann Nòs) gan cumail ann am Bun sgoil Phennyland, agus CHAN ANN an Eaglais Naomh Pheadar agus Naomh Anndra.

A’ Seinn Salm

‘S dòcha gun toisich farpaisean Seinn Salm anmoch anns an Eaglais, feasgair Dimàirt.

Gaelic at Caithness Horizons.doc

Tòisichidh Consairt nan Còisirean Dùthchail aig

aig 8f mar a chaidh ainmeachadh an toiseach. Airson tuilleadh fiosrachadh thigibh gu Ionad Fiosrachaidh a’ Mhòid, Àrd Sgoil Inbhir Theòrsa (seachdain a’ Mhòid).

Northern Constabulary are looking forward to a successful Mòd and to assist those visiting the area they have two fluent Gaelic speaking officers who will be on hand full time to provide advice and assistance.

Acting Inspector George Murray who is based in Wick and Constable Torquil Macleod who has been drafted across from Orkney are looking forward to the event and putting their native Gaelic language to good use.

Chief Inspector, Matthew Reiss said “The Northern Constabulary are delighted to be assisting with the first ever Mòd to be held in the unique county of Caithness. We look forward to an enjoyable week for everyone - both for the local population and all the visitors to the county.

Janette Mackay was born and brought up in Strathy, Sutherland. Her parents belonged to Strathy and were fluent Gaelic speakers who were forced to speak English when they went to school. Janette spent her teaching career in North Sutherland (1966 – 2005) and was very much involved with Gaelic music and the Mod.

The picture shows Janette’s Junior choir and it’s worth noting that 25 % of the members of the choir have gone on to have a career that involves Gaelic.

My choice of Music Memory is “A’Mhàiri Bhòidheach” My father often recalled being belted in school for speaking Gaelic. Little wonder they did not encourage their family to speak this language which they were told would “hold us back”. Gaelic was spoken and sung and bagpipes played in our home throughout my childhood and I attribute my interest to my upbringing.

During my teaching career I had a small Gaelic choir which competed very successfully on many occasions at both local and National Mods. My most successful choir – The Farr Junior Gaelic Choir - had only eight members but they returned with the Trophy (sometimes two trophies) from National Mods in Stirling, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Oban and Stornoway. This was during the 1980’s and what fun and enjoyment was had by both children and parents who supported and accompanied them.

I believed it was very important to make sure that the children learned our traditional local songs, like The Waters of Kylesku, Naver Bay and our best loved Gaelic song Gleann Gollaidh.

When I meet former pupils at a function or ceilidh they are happily singing these songs – even the boys or perhaps I should say especially the boys!

With the help of Feis Air An Oir , the Tongue Gaelic School and the Gaelic pupils from Farr High School, there is a noticeable uptake in the learning of Gaelic in our area and whereas it used to be spoken mainly by the older generation, very soon it will be spoken mainly or solely by our young folk. That is a very encouraging prospect and so I forsee a much more positive future for the Gaelic language and music in North Sutherland.

Is e an t-òran “A Mhàiri Bhòidheach” a thagh mi. Bhiodh m’ athair gu tric a’ cuimhneachadh air slaiseadh fhaighinn san sgoil airson a bhith bruidhinn na Gàidhlig. Is beag an t-iongnadh, ma ta, nach do bhrosnaich iad an cuid chloinne gu Gàidhlig a chleachdadh oir is ann “a chumadh an cànan air ais iad”. Bhiodh Gàidhlig ga bruidhinn is ga cleachdadh san dachaigh againn nuair a bha sinn ag èirigh suas. Is e sin as coireach gu bheil ùidh agam dhan chànan.

Fhad ’s a bha mi a’ teagasg bha còisir bheag Ghàidhlig agam a bhiodh a’ gabhail pàirt ‘s na Mòdan Ionadail is Nàiseanta. Cha robh ach ochdnar sa chòisir shoirbheachail seo – Còisir Òg Sgoil Fàr. Is iomadh duais a choisinn iad aig na Mòdan Nàiseanta - Sruighlea, Dùn Èideann, Glaschu, An t-Òban agus Steòrnabhagh. Bha seo sna 80an agus is mòr an toileachas a thug e don chloinn is dham pàrantan a bhiodh tric a’ tighinn nan cois.

Bha mi a’ creidsinn gun robh e cudromach gun ionnsaicheadh a’ chlann òrain thraidiseanta na sgìre mar: The Waters of Kylesku, Naver Bay agus an t-òran as caomh leinn uile, Gleanna Gollaidh.

Nuair a thachras mi ri seann sgoilearan aig tachartas no cèilidh bidh iad fhathast a’ seinn nan dearbh òran sin, eadhoin na gillean air neo na gillean a-mhain. Tha Gàidhlig air a brosnachadh san sgìre tro fhoghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig ann am bun-sgoil Thunga agus a-rithist tha Gàidhlig mar chuspair an Àrd Sgoil Fàr. Tha Fèis air an Oir cuideachd air cùl Gàidhlig a bhrosnachadh. Aig aon uair bhiodh Gàidhlig ga cleachdadh le seann daoine ach is ann aig an òigridh a tha a Ghàidhlig an-diugh. Tha seo gu math taitneach do cheann-a-tuath Chataibh gu bheil an cànan is an ceòl beò da-riribh.

This song was sung by our very own Philip Todd in his first year as a Gaelic singer and he won the Mairi Mhor section of the Royal National Mod at Fort William in 2007.

A’Mhàiri Bhòidheach was recorded by Dochas on An Dàrna Umhail Released by Macmeanmna records in 2005 Catalogue SKYECD34

Copies of the CD are available to borrow, at no cost, from the collection of CD’s selected as Music Memory Store choices from the Wick and Thurso Libraries, as a partnership between the Mòd Ghallaibh Fringe and the Highland Libraries. It can be heard on Caithness FM as a part of the Hughie Manson Show on Monday evenings and on Radio nan Gàidheal.

Copies of this CD are available to borrow, at no cost, from the collection of CD’s selected as MusicMemory Store, from Wick and Thurso Libraries. It can be heard on Mondays 7-8pm on Caithness FM as a part of the Scottish Show with Hughie Manson and on Radio nan Gàidheal.

MusicMemory Store is a partnership between the Mòd Ghallaibh Fringe and the Highland Libraries – Caithness branches, Wick & Thurso.Contact The Mòd Ghallaibh Fringe: northtuath@yahoo.co.uk

The Northern Night sky is beautiful and can be seen so plainly in Caithness on a clear night. If you have never experienced the clear dark blue skies sparkling with stars, comets and the Aurora Borealis then you now have an ideal chance to see this spectacular array of lights.

Genuine Images of the spacey lights will be projected against the white walls of T3/UK at Janetstown and will be accompanied by a text written by local astronomer, Jim Johnston and with a poetic response to the images by Catriona Lexy Campbell.

The projections will take place on Saturday 9^th October and Wednesday 13^th October starting at 10.30pm and is expected to last about an hour.

Warm clothes are recommended and those attending are encouraged to bring a torch. Parking is available on site, however numbers are limited and transport will be provided from provided departing from St Peters Church and St Andrews Church at 1030pm and returning after the event.

Seo na buidhnean a bhios a’ gabhail pàirt aig Taisbeanach na Gàidhlig am-bliadhna:

Clì Gàidhlig <làrach-lìn à bith>

Comhairle nan Leabhraichean https://www.gaelicbooks.org/

Creations https://www.tartanbodices.co.uk

Mackay Country Community Trust Ltd http://www.mackaycountry.com/

Mey Selections http://www.mey-selections.com/

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig https://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk

Scottish National Heritage https://www.nature.scot

Shelagh Swanson, Artist <làrach-lìn à bith>

Stòrlann Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig https://www.storlann.co.uk/

Swelkie Felt <duilleag-lìn à bith>

Comunn na Gàidhlig https://www.cnag.org/

Tobar an Dualchais https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/

Pròiseact Nan Ealan <làrach-lìn à bith>

My Pinkie Promise <làrach-lìn à bith>

Graham Hood Photography <làrach-lìn à bith>

Mòd Merchandise ancomunn.co.uk/store

North Highland College <làrach-lìn à bith>

Caithness Stone <làrach-lìn à bith>

Tha Prògram a’ Mhòid a-nise ri fhaighinn (£4 / £5). Ma tha sibh airson leth-bhreac fhaighinn sa phost cuiribh fòn thugainn ro 5f Diciadain 6mh den Dàmhair.

Bidh iad cuideachd ri fhaighinn ann an Inbhir Theòrsa agus Inbhir Ùige thairis air seachdain a’ Mhòid.

Ma tha fiosrachadh sam bith a dhìth oirbh, cuiribh fios thugainn air 01851 703 487.

CALL FOR MUSICIANS TO TAKE TO THE STREETS

The local organising committee are calling on all musicians to take to the streets for sessions during the Royal National Mòd 2010. Sessions are an informal way of gathering musicians together to play traditional music. So whatever your preference - Jigs, reels, songs – anything goes.

It’s spontaneous and unscripted; you meet all sorts of interesting people, swap tunes, join in, have a laugh and go home happy. A great example of this is in the Commercial Bar, Thurso every Wednesday.

For the past 11 years, the informal gathering of musicians, attracts local listeners and tourists from all over the world. Visiting musicians have come from Scandinavia to Spain on one side of the Atlantic, the USA and Cape Breton on the other. Regular players bring fiddles, Scottish border and small pipes, whistles, banjos, mandolins, guitars and there have even been visits from hammered dulcimer and oboe.

While these sessions normally take place in licensed premises, the Mòd Ghallaibh Fringe Committee is keen that Caithness particularly welcomes young Mòd-goers. For the first time every at a Mòd, the idea is that local and visiting musicians of all ages go out and play in public on the streets, meet each other and enjoy the experience.

Since the weather can be so unpredictable in October back up plans have made with several local organisations who have offered their premises as child-friendly venues. The venues include:

· Wick Pipe Band Hall in the evenings of Tuesday 12^th and Thursday 14^th October.

· The Ormlie Club, Thurso, in the evenings, on Wednesday 13^th and Thursday 14^th October.

· Thurso Episcopal Church, from 2-4pm from Monday 11^th to Friday 15^th October.

The Pipe Band Hall and the Ormlie Club are both licensed premises but children are welcome. Members of local bands, including Whiskey and Clapshot, will be out and about joining in the fun and Caithness duo, Iain & Anne Moncrieff will lead the Thursday evening session in the Wick Pipe Band Hall. Local youngsters Fèis Ghallaibh will also take part.

Tha fiosrachadh mu Iomall a’ Mhòid a-nise ri fhaighinn air loidhne aig www.caithnessmod2010.co.uk/fringe no gheibhear leth-bhreac den phrògram bhon Chomataidh Ionadail.

Airson tuilleadh fiosrachadh curibh post-dealain gu Alex Patience, Neach-gairm Iomall a’ Mhòid - northtuath@yahoo.co.uk

HRH THE DUKE OF ROTHESAY TO VISIT 107th ROYAL NATIONAL Mòd

CAITHNESS EVENT RECEIVES ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL
Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail (The Royal National Mòd), Scotland’s premier festival celebrating Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, will this year play host to a very special visitor, HRH The Duke of Rothesay.
On Thursday 14^th October, HRH The Duke of Rothesay will visit the nine day celebration of Gaelic music, dance, drama, arts and literature, meeting local Gaelic and Caithness organisations, listening to Gaelic music and presenting the prestigious Gold Medals.

The Royal National Mod, which runs from Friday 8^th until Saturday 16^th October, is set to attract thousands of spectators to the Caithness towns of Wick and Thurso.
John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach said: “HRH The Duke of Rothesay will have the opportunity to meet some of the competitors, staff and local community who have worked hard all year to make this year’s Royal National Mod a success.

“Fourteen years ago, HRH The Duke of Rothesay visited the 1996 Royal National Mod in Blairgowrie and we’re delighted to welcome His Royal Highness back to the Mod, this time to Caithness to help celebrate the first time the Mod has been here in its 118 year history.”

John McLeod, president of An Comunn Gàidhealach, will join The Duke as he meets a select set of businesses and local producers as part of the Gaelic and Caithness showcase which takes place in The Dome, North Highland College in Thurso. His Royal Highness will have the opportunity to chat to some of the local Caithness businesses including Mackay Country Project, Swelkie Felt and Mey Selections who will be exhibiting their products and services as part of the showcase.

The Duke will also view a selection of the finest local food and drink produce on show as part of ‘Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink’, which is supported by EventScotland. The initiative has been launched to encourage people in Scotland to experience great produce on their doorstep.

Members of Caithness based Mey Selections whose products and ingredients are sourced from within a 100 mile radius of the Castle of Mey, the Queen Mother’s home in Caithness, will meet His Royal Highness and offer a taster of a specially designed shortbread for the Mod.

The Duke of Rothesay will also present the two winners of the Mod Gold Medal competition with their prizes. The Gold Medal, which can only be won once in a lifetime by an individual, is awarded for solo singing in Gaelic, with one medal for men and one for women. The winners will then treat HRH to an exclusive performance of the Gold Medal winning song.

Organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, which is the oldest and most respected Gaelic organisation, The Royal National Mòd is a competition based festival which attracts competitors from Gaelic communities throughout the UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Canada and the USA and is considered the biggest event of the Gaelic calendar.

The festival kicks off on Friday 8th October with a grand opening ceremony taking place in the early evening followed by a traditional energetic ceilidh to get visitors in the mood for the week long competitive festival.

Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said: “We’re delighted to see HRH The Duke of Rothesay visiting The Royal National Mòd - one of Scotland’s most unique events celebrating Gaelic culture and heritage. It’s particularly fitting that His Royal Highness, such a passionate believer in the values of organic produce, should pay a visit in 2010 -Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink.”

The Royal National Mòd is supported by The Highland Council, Caledonian MacBrayne, EventScotland, the national events agency, through its International Funding Programme, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Royal Mail, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and BBC Alba.
For full festival programme and details, visit our website.

Creativity, the Mòd and the economy in Caithness and Sutherland
On the eve of the Royal National Mòd’s launch in Caithness, international figures from the world of design are to meet business people from the North to explore the economic and cultural value of creativity.

Highlands and Islands fashion designer Sandra Murray MBE and international Art director and designer Simon Costin, are part of a day of events at Caithness Horizons in Thurso on October 7 which has been organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

As well as meeting the designers, businesses are being invited to a range of presentations from bodies including Arts in Business; Cultural Enterprise Office; Hi-Arts; Creative Highland and Mackay Country. Topics covered will include the development of festivals and events, how to raise funding from the private sector, current developments in the arts in Highland, the role of heritage and provenance in creative product and how to go about turning creative ideas - music, art, design, events and festivals of all sorts into real products.

The event will provide an opportunity for networking as well as access to specialist advice and the chance to learn more about resources which may be available to support development. Attendance is free but places are limited and should be booked in advance.

“Caithness is delighted to welcome the Royal National Mòd. As well as directly supporting the fringe programme HIE, as the region’s economic and community development agency, also wants to showcase the wonderful products and produce from the area to the many visitors the event will attract. Exploring the positive impact of events and festivals with businesses, and the role of the cultural and creative activity within this, helps us all recognise the valuable contribution they offer to economic development and the tourism sector,” said Rachel Skene, HIE’s Head of Tourism in Caithness and North Sutherland.

“We are thrilled that Simon, who has worked with so many of the top names in the fashion world including the late Alexander McQueen, has taken inspiration from the people, activities and history of the area and is capturing some of this as a unique display for the Mòd.”

John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gaidhealach, said: “The Royal National Mòd is delighted to be associated with this prestigious event. We regard Sandra as a perfect Ambassador for our Language and Culture. In addition to being a world-renowned designer, Sandra is a fluent Gaelic speaker and a strong supporter of the Royal National Mòd. Her reputation and her connections in the world of design have allowed the Mòd to attract Simon Costin to Caithness. An Comunn Gaidhealach is indebted to Sandra, and to HIE, for bringing this innovative event to Caithness.”

The day’s events will culminate in a reception at Caithness Horizons, which is open to all and starts at 5.30pm, to unveil the HIE commissioned installation which will be on show for the duration of the Mòd in the window of Aurora, located at 5 Rotterdam Street, Thurso. Simon, who gave his own time for free, has worked extensively with world wide designers creating highly creative and imaginative art sets for photo shoots and catwalk shows. He has a personal interest in British heritage and folklore; his personal ambition is to create a Museum of British Folklore.

To guarantee your place at the event please contact Joan at Caithness Horizons by email or phone, JoanLawrie@caithnesshorizons.co.uk or 01847 896508.

ROYAL NATIONAL MOD ANNOUNCES EXCITING FOOD AND DRINK LINE UP FOR OCTOBER EVENT -

WICK MARKET CALLS OUT FOR MORE CULINARY EXHIBITORS