Royal National Mòd News

Singers and artists compete for top prizes on penultimate day of the Mòd 2024

Published: 18 Oct 2024

Rural Choirs Bùrach and Còisir Sgìr’ a’ Bhac Choir competitions continue and the Highland Art Prize winner is announced

​Gaelic song filled the Corran Halls last night, as the esteemed men’s and women’s Traditional Gold Medal returned to the world’s biggest celebration of Gaelic language and culture, The Royal National Mòd.

Ruairidh Morrison from Inverness came out on top in the men’s competition, the 30 year-old edged a win over talented Gaelic vocalists from across the country, while Claire Frances MacNeil, 24, from Barra triumphed with an incredible performance in the ladies competition.

Men’s Traditional Gold Medallist Ruairidh Morrison said: “I’m absolutely delighted and truly didn’t expect to be placed at all. This is my third time in the competition, and stepping onto that stage to sing for an audience that genuinely cares about Gaelic culture is an incredibly special experience. Being part of the Mòd and helping to preserve something that means so much to me and so many others—our culture and heritage—is deeply fulfilling. The way Gaelic and our traditions are celebrated here gives people a rare window into all there is to appreciate, and it shows that our culture continues to flourish. This is the largest Royal National Mòd in years, and that really speaks volumes—it shows just how vibrant and alive our tradition is.”

Ladies’ Traditional Gold Medallist Claire Frances MacNeil said: “My pride in the Gaelic language is deeply rooted, and traditional singing has always been one of my greatest passions. It’s through these songs that I feel most connected to the culture and its stories. It is incredible to achieve something so widely recognised in this field. The competition had so many amazing singers, and what makes it special is how each person brings their own style and experience to their performance. I sang songs that mean so much to me, and I just hope I did them justice.”

Yesterday also saw the return of the prestigious choir competitions, which took place in venues across Oban. Rural Choirs from all over Scotland gathered in Oban to celebrate the beauty of Gaelic song, with Còisir Sgìr’ a’ Bhac being awarded the Lorn Shield for their outstanding performance, and Bùrach taking home the Sheriff MacMaster Campbell Memorial Quaich for the sixth time.

Avril Allen, Conductor of Còisir Sgìr’ a’ Bhac, said: “It’s lovely to have won because the choir really enjoyed singing this afternoon, and we felt that we had done our very best - that doesn’t always mean you win, but we especially enjoyed singing our own choice song today. It’s quite special to our choir, so we were very happy after we sang, and to win is just the cherry on top.”

Riona Whyte, Conductor of Bùrach Choir, said: “It’s outstanding to be celebrating our sixth win. I know I stand out in front but it’s the choir that does all the work and they were incredible. With so many wins behind us, it does spur us on but it’s quite terrifying at the same time to be held to that standard, but we love what we do. Somebody said to me that we have a unique Bùrach sound and we’re proud of that.”

Today, the Combined Areas Choirs’ Competition will fill the town with stunning melodies. The Lovat & Tullibardine shield and Margrat Duncan trophy will be contested to a sell-out crowd in the Corran Halls. Groups of singers, from North Lanarkshire to Dingwall and everywhere in between, have descended on the West Coast town to perform.

This afternoon will see the winner of the Mòd’s Highland Art Prize announced at the Rockfield Centre. Isle of Lewis artist and teacher Isbhel Murray has selected 12 shortlisted artworks from the Highland Art Prize Exhibition of more than 70 artworks from around the Highlands and Islands. The winner, who will have the opportunity to mount an exhibition in Lochaber next year, will be announced today.

Maggie Cunningham, President of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “Friday is our final day of competition and a spectacular finale to a week of art, music, sport, storytelling, drama and learning. A firm highlight of the Mòd, the Traditional Gold Medal final lived up to all expectations and the winners should be immensely proud of what they have achieved. They join a long line of torchbearers for Gaelic song. We have even more performers taking to the stage on our penultimate day in Oban and I would like to wish the Area Choirs every success – the joyful atmosphere that these singers create cannot be understated and perfectly represents the camaraderie of the Mòd.”

This year’s Royal National Mòd in Oban is supported by EventScotland’s International Events Funding Programme, 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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