​Gaelic Learner of the Year and Friends of the Mòd announced as piping competitions and a concert celebrating Argyll talent feature on today’s programme

The Royal National Mòd is underway for 2024, as a busy day of traditional music competitions began in Oban this morning.

The nine-day festival kicked off in sparkling style last night, with the much-loved Torchlight Procession lighting up the town’s streets. Undeterred by the west coast weather, the Oban community came out in force to witness the spectacle and follow the procession along the town’s seafront esplanade.

Multi-award-winning Scottish supergroup Mànran then performed to a packed Corran Halls, marking the beginning of the Mòd’s return to its historic home in fitting style.

Yesterday also brought the announcement of this year’s Gaelic Learner of the Year and the Friends of the Mòd. Selected by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the honour is this year given to Harry Josephine Giles (she/they). Originally from Orkney and now based in Leith, Harry Josephine completed the immersion course CertHE Gàidhlig is Conaltradh at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig last year and finished top of her class – a remarkable achievement considering she started learning Gaelic just over two years ago.

As well as excelling in her studies, she supported her peers, speaking Gaelic exclusively around campus and setting an example of excellent scholarship for fellow students. Harry Josephine is a renowned author, and her verse novel in Scots, Deep Wheel Orcadia, won the 2022 Arthur C. Clarke Award. She has a PhD in creative writing, and two MAs – one in Drama Directing and one in Sustainable Development. She now plans to continue studying remotely with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in her second year.

Gaelic Learner of the Year, Harry Josephine Giles, said: “I feel so lucky to have learned Gaelic. Along with the language, I’ve made new friends, sung new songs and heard new stories. More than that, I have a broader perspective on the history, culture and people of the country - of my own country. I know full well that I only have a little Gaelic so fast, but with that I’m very grateful that I have so much more to learn! - and so also very grateful for the honour of this prize.”

The Friends of the Mòd awards honour the significant contribution and achievement of individuals in relation to their support of Gaelic and Mòds. The latest recipients to enter a Caraid a’ Mhòid Hall of Fame for their contributions are Moira and Sandy Dunlop from Connel, Oban’s own Ishbel Banks, Margaret Farmer from Tarbert, Loch Fyne, and Harris native Jon ‘Hearach’ MacDonald.

Moira and Sandy Dunlop have been volunteering at Local and National Mòds for several years. Having only been exposed to Gaelic on television, Moira moved to Oban from Lanarkshire to work in the local primary school, and it was there that she fell in love with Gaelic culture and the music scene, accompanying the school choir to Mòds. As parents of four, they always enjoy being at venues, keeping parents calm and ensuring the event is an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Ishbel Banks first competed at the Mòd aged nine, at the 1949 Glasgow Mòd. Her father, a Gaelic speaker from Sutherland, sparked her early interest in Gaelic music and culture. Her late husband, Robin Banks, was the secretary of Commun Gàidhealach an Òbain. Through 51 years of marriage, Ishbel was always involved behind the scenes, and would often be seen at the adjudication sheets table waiting to give competitors their all-important results and feedback.

Margaret Farmer has been singing in choirs since she was 10 years old. Initially with the school choir, led by her father, then the Oban High School choir and latterly Oban Gaelic Choir. Margaret places great value on her ‘choir family’ — not only for the singing of Gaelic songs, but also for the social aspect of being in a choir. Along with fellow dedicated volunteers, Margaret has been instrumental in the Mòd Academy project which has allowed children in her locality to have support with their competition pieces.

Originally from Lingerbay in Harris, Jon ‘Hearach’ MacDonald has lived and worked in the Inverness area for many years. He first attended the Mòd in 1966 in Inverness itself, and his wife and daughter were frequent entrants into the singing competitions. Jon has been a long-time benefactor of the Mòd through his own Inverness-based business.

The Alba Football Association, which was established to use football as a force to connect, inspire and grow Scottish Gaelic through community football activity, will host its National Team Training Camp at Oban High School across the weekend. The football camp aims to engage the team with the Gaelic community during Mòd week.

Unfortunately due to the adverse weather conditions the historic sporting fixtures have been cancelled. The Mòd Shinty Cups for all ages have been rained off today at Mossfield Playing Fields. Organisers will try to play some of the competitions at a later date if possible.

Fierce competition will also be on display at today’s piping competitions, with the Junior Piping Competitions taking place at Oban High School as under 16s and 16-18 year olds compete for national recognition. The Senior Piping events also get underway and will feature Premier A Grade and B Grade competitions, both with a Pìobaireachd and a March, Strathspey and Reel.

Tonight will see the return of the beloved Ar Cànan ’s Ar Ceòl (Our Language Our Music) concert at Corran Halls. A fantastic night of traditional music and Gaelic culture with performers of all ages from all over Argyll, the concert will showcase local talent including celebrated Mull singer Alasdair Whyte, trad musicians from Oban High School and the Oban High School Pipers, Fèis Latharna musicians and Makaton Gaelic Choir ‘Aon Ghuth’, who combine Gaelic singing with the Makaton communication system of signs and symbols.

Tomorrow marks the return of the annual Mòd Church Service, which takes place at 3pm at Oban Parish Church and will be broadcast live around the country on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal. In the evening, Celtic Worship will lead an informal evening of Celtic Praise at Corran Halls.

Maggie Cunningham, President of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “The Mòd is officially underway now after last night’s stunning opening concert from Mànran, getting proceedings off to a very special start. Today, we dive straight into the heart of things with a highlight of the Mòd calendar – the piping competitions. We are saddened to have to postpone the shinty cups today due to bad weather but we hope to play these at a later date if possible.

“It’s fantastic to bring the Mòd back here to its historic home in Oban – the atmosphere is incredible as we go into the second day of the event. Once the competitions are done for the day, we have a wonderful concert to look forward to, showcasing the very best musical talent from the local area and beyond, which is a must-see for locals and visitors alike.”

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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