Greats of the Gaelic literature world are being honoured at the Royal National Mòd today before the very best singers go head-to-head in the Gold Medal Final this evening.

The most prestigious of the literature prizes to be awarded today is the historic Bard of An Comunn Gàidhealach which this year is bestowed upon Scottish academic, poet and short story writer Meg Bateman.

First awarded more than 100 years ago, the prestigious accolade pays tribute to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the Gaelic literary world. Meg Bateman is the 60th Bard to be crowned and takes up the position from Scottish poet and translator Niall O’Gallagher.

Born in Edinburgh, Meg Bateman moved to Aberdeen to study Celtic Studies and spent a year immersed in Gaelic life in South Uist before gaining a PhD in Classical Gaelic Religious Verse. Over the course of her career she has taught at Telford College, Edinburgh University, Aberdeen University and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.

She has published four collections of her own poetry including Lightness which won an award from the Scottish Arts Council and made the shortlist for the Stakis Prize for the Scottish Book of the Year.

Meg has won prizes from a number of prominent literary festivals and her poems appear in various anthologies. She has co-edited and translated five collections of historical Gaelic verse of religious poetry and historic Gaelic poetry and poetry by women. Her latest release published in 2020, Window to the West: Culture and Environment in the Scottish Gàidhealtachd, examines whether the Gaels have a unique view of the world.

Meg Bateman said: “It’s an honour to be chosen by An Comunn as their Bàrd, especially as I’m not a native speaker. It feels strange though for my private activity to become somehow corporate. Still, I suppose everyone has private thoughts and it’s part of poetry and song to give voice to them. I hope to do some good for Gaelic poetry in the coming year. It is wonderful that Gaelic exists at all, and that there are Gaelic speakers, both native and learned, who seek out their personal truths in that language. It is a beautiful language and tradition to work with, full of subtle music and earthiness.”

As the Royal National Mòd 2024 reaches its sixth day in Oban, a host of other honours will be dished out across the worlds of writing, art and media, before the much-loved Mòd Drama Final and highly-anticipated Silver Pendant and Gold Medal Finals take place later today.

Top male and female singers, learners in the Silver Pendant and fluent speakers in the Gold Medal, will perform for a panel of expert judges to win the sought-after titles.

Yesterday saw a plethora of singing prizes awarded to worthy youngsters. St. John’s Cathedral hosted the Traditional competitions for girls and boys aged 13-15. Finlay Morrison from Glasgow Gaelic Secondary School won the Traditional Silver Kilt Pin and local girl Millie Bonniwell from Oban High School won the Silver Pendant and picked up the Aggregate Prize for highest marks, The Ann Kelly MacDonald Memorial Trophy.

The Boys 13-15 An Comunn Gàidhealach Silver Kilt Pin & Girls 13-15 An Comunn Gàidhealach Silver Pendant competitions were also held yesterday. Inverness’ Iain MacLeod took the Silver Kilt Pin and it was a hometown win for Oban’s Lily Robertson who won the Silver Pendant. The pair beat off stiff competition from a field of almost 30 young singers.

The Cogadh nan Còmhlan (Battle of the Bands) competition for U19s also took place last night at Argyllshire Gathering Halls, with a bright young Castlebay Community School band coming up on top against three other up and coming acts to take the top spot.

The Barra band have won studio time at a local recording studio, having showcased the strength of emerging talent on the Gaelic and traditional music scene in Scotland. Monday night’s U13s Cogadh nan Còmhlan (Battle of the Bands) was also won by a fellow group Castlebay Community School pupils, Ceòl a’ Chaisteil, making this a double celebration for Barra.

At the Corran Halls in the 13-18 choral category, the Sir E Scott School, from Tarbert on the Isle of Harris won the Choral Unison Open and the Choral Harmony Open competitions, while in the Choral Puirt-à-Beul Open it was Glasgow Gaelic Secondary School Choir who took the title.

In the under 13s choral competition, Còisir na h-Òige won the Aberfoyle and District Branch Trophy for the Choral Unison Fluent event, while Sgoil Sir E Scott took the Mrs Schroder Cup in the Choral Puirt-à-Beul competition and claimed the Mrs Ann Grant of Laggan Memorial Trophy for the Choral Harmony Fluent event, as well as receiving the Susan Paterson Caledonian MacBrayne Trophy as the highest achievers across all categories. Sgoil an Iochdair won the Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee Trophy in the Choral Unison Open Under 13s competition.

Oban’s vibrant pub scene offers some late night entertainment during Mòd an Òbain. Throughout the week, the town comes alive with the Ceòl sa Bhaile (Pub Music Circuit), showcasing a diverse range of performances in some of the most iconic pubs across the town. These informal sessions bring together traditional Gaelic music, blending the talents of local artists and renowned musicians on the Scottish traditional music scene.

James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “Wednesday is another significant day at the Royal National Mòd and always brings an incredible sense of occasion with it. From the Corran Halls to Argyllshire Gathering Halls, venues across Oban are being filled with Gaelic song, music, literature and art. A huge congratulations to this year’s Bard, Meg Bateman, whose work has an important place in the Gaelic literary canon and best of luck to all those taking part in competitions across the day.”
Donald MacLean, Mòd 2024 Local Committee Convener 2024, said: “As we honour the exceptional talents in Gaelic literature, such as the newly crowned Bard of An Comunn Gàidhealach, today is also a day to celebrate the incredible vibrancy of our community here in Oban. From the high stakes of the Gold Medal Final to the lively pub sessions that fill our town, the Royal National Mòd brings together the best of our culture, old and new. Thanks to our brilliant hospitality venues, the fringe events, including the Ceòl sa Bhaile circuit, are a true highlight offering a space and welcoming atmosphere where local musicians and visitors can meet and share in the unparalleled enjoyment of the Gaelic tradition.”

This year’s Royal National Mòd in Oban is supported by EventScotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Argyll and Bute Council, Bid4Oban, The Scottish Government, Caledonian MacBrayne, BBC ALBA, Creative Scotland and SQA.

The Royal National Mòd runs in Oban until Saturday 19 October.

For more information, visit our website.

The fringe programme is available to view here.

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