Junior singing competitions, children’s activities, Battle of the Bands and exhibitions feature on day five

Young Gaelic voices and up and coming musical talent will be at the forefront in Oban today, as junior singing competitions for fluent speakers and the Cogadh nan Còmhlan (Battle of The Bands Competitions) return to The Royal National Mòd.

Yesterday, youngsters competed in a number of events including the junior choirs competitions and coveted junior solo singing titles.

In the Choral Unison Learner Under 13 competition, Còisir Ghàidhlig Fèis Phàislig won overall, taking home the Donald and Mamie MacPhail Trophy, as well as the Darlington Society Silver Jubilee trophy for the highest marks in Gaelic. Comunn Gàidhealach Mhuile won the Morag Robb Memorial Trophy for the highest marks in music.

The Choral Puirt-à-Beul Learner Under 13 competition was won by Comunn Gàidhealach Mhuile, with the talented singers taking home the Macintyre Cup and the Olive Campbell MBE Trophy.

It was a clean sweep for Falkirk Junior Gaelic Choir who picked up the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Trophy in the Choral Unison Open Under 19, the Tom Crawford Trophy in the Choral Harmony Open Open Under 19 and the Martin Wilson Trophy in the Choral Puirt-à-Beul as well as a host of aggregate prizes.

In the Solo Singing Open 16-18 events, Seamus Macrae from The Nicolson Institute in Stornoway took first place in the boys competition and Isla Duke from Falkirk Junior Gaelic Choir took first place in the girls competition. Isla Duke and Caitlyn Yule, from Falkirk Junior Gaelic Choir scored the joint highest marks for music and will share the Meryl Mae Stewart Memorial Trophy, with Isla Duke also scoring the highest marks in Gaelic to take home the Turriff Trophy.

Aimee NicLeòid from The Nicolson Institute in Stornoway fought off a strong field of beautiful Gaelic singers to win the Provost of Falkirk Medal. In the Solo Singing Under 19 competition, Caitlyn Yule from Falkirk Junior Gaelic was the strongest in the field.

Youngsters aged 13-15 competed for the James C McPhee Memorial Medal, with Robbie Donald MacIllEathain, aged 13, from Castlebay Community in School in Barra winning the boys trophy and the Alexander Hamilton Trophy for the highest mark in Gaelic. Oban’s own Cara Joe NicAonghais, aged 15, from Oban High School was awarded the girls trophy and Erin Greig, aged 14, from Comunn Gàidhealach Mhuile gained the highest mark in music and lifted the Jean Graham Memorial Trophy.

Today the girls and boys Traditional Silver Medal competitions kick off at 2:30pm at St John’s Cathedral. Teens aged 13-15 from across Scotland will perform their own choice of solo Gaelic songs, competing for national recognition.

This evening will see the girls An Comunn Gàidhealach Silver Pendant and boys Silver Kilt Pin competitions. Also held at St John’s Cathedral from 6pm, youngsters will perform set Gaelic songs for an esteemed panel of judges.

Thursday at the Mòd also sees the return of the Cogadh nan Còmhlan (Battle of the Bands) Under 19s competition, showcasing the emerging talent of groups on the Gaelic and traditional music scene.

The final will take place at 7:30pm tonight at Argyllshire Gathering Halls, where the five successful finalists will battle it out for the top prize of studio time at a local recording studio. Now in its third year, the competition offers the chance to see the next generation of talent shine on stage.

Last night saw Ceòl a’ Chaisteil take the winning title in the Cogadh nan Còmhlan (Battle of the Bands) Under 13s competition, taking the top spot in a fiercely fought competition.

Children’s fringe event Sruth returns for a second session today, from 10am to 3pm at Argyllshire Gathering Halls. Aimed at school-age Gaelic speakers, the drop-in workshop offers the opportunity for young people to practise their conversation skills with their peers as well as some well-known Gaelic stars.

Rockfield Art Space is also hosting free Gaelic Bookbug and Art Club sessions today, giving little ones a chance to enjoy Gaelic stories and get creative with their caregivers. Today and tomorrow, the Guide Hall will be running children’s Gaelic club Sradagan, with a range of activities including arts and crafts, parachute games and ball games, open to P1-7s in Gaelic Medium Education and fluent speakers.

There will also be plenty of opportunities for music and dancing today, with an Early Years Cèilidh taking place at the Guide Hall from 1pm for families with younger children, and the second Family Cèilidh of the week at Corran Halls at 6:30pm, with music, games, and Scottish country dancing.

A number of exciting exhibitions are also on offer throughout the Mòd week to explore and enjoy. The Highland Art Prize Exhibition in the Ash Room at the Rockfield Centre, open from 10am - 3pm each day, showcases this year’s outstanding entrants all through the week, before the prestigious prize giving ceremony on Friday 18th October, where this year’s winner will be announced.

The life of Jessie MacLachlan, the first voice in Gaelic to ever be recorded on the newly invented gramophone in 1899 who was known as ‘The Queen of Scottish Song’ will be celebrated with a special exhibition running throughout the week at the CalMac Terminal. Born in Oban in 1866, Jessie was the star guest at the first ever Mòd in Oban in 1892 and became a celebrated singer with a global following.

The Argyll Choirs Exhibition at The Rockfield Centre is open from 10am - 3pm each day. This exhibition showcases the rich heritage of local choirs, offering visitors an in-depth look at the cultural importance of Gaelic choral music and its enduring legacy.

Wednesday is the Mòd’s literature day, and tomorrow the Oak Room at the Rockfield Centre will host the annual Literature Prizegiving at 12pm, celebrating the winning competitors across writing, art and media categories. There will also be the launch of a new book, as well as a poetry reading in the afternoon.
Maggie Cunningham, President of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “Today shines a light on young people at the Mòd and celebrates their importance to the preservation and future of traditional Gaelic culture. From the youth singing competitions to the Battle of the Bands, and with a number of fringe events aimed at young Gaelic speakers and learners, emerging and young voices are at the heart of today’s programme. It’s fantastic to see young locals and visitors getting involved and making the most of everything the Mòd has to offer them.”

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. Tickets for select events are on sale at our Eventbrite page.

For more information, visit our website.

The fringe programme is available to view here.