Royal National Mòd gets underway in Perth

The opening weekend of this year’s Royal National Mòd in Perth showcased the very best in Gaelic culture, with epic sporting clashes and outstanding traditional music both taking centre stage.

Organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, the event has returned to the Fair City for the first time in 18 years, bringing a packed programme of activities, competitions, concerts and celebrations to venues across the city.

The nine-day festival was launched in spectacular style with a torchlit procession down Perth High Street, led by the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and District Pipe Band.

Saturday saw shinty return to Perth for the first time in 11 years, with back to back matches taking place throughout the day.

Tayforth returned to their spiritual home of Perth to take on Aberdour in both the men’s Aviemore Trophy and the women’s LearnGaelic.scot Trophy. Aberdour won both matches, lifting the trophy for the men with a score of 1-0, with the women winning 3-0.

The Mòd football cup also took place, with local community club Jeanfield Swifts taking on Glasgow Island. Glasgow Island put in an impressive performance to win 4-1 against the home side.

Last night (Saturday), Perth Concert Hall came to life with the Our Language Our Music, a concert showcasing Perthshire’s thriving Gaelic culture and traditional music scene.

Some of the region’s finest musicians put on a show stopping performance, with Scottish musical royalty in the form of Margaret Bennett, Patsy Reid, Pete Clark, Ross Ainslie and Ali Hutton, and The Tayside Young Fiddlers taking to the stage. They were joined by a hand-picked local string section and all-star house band for the celebratory evening of Gaelic music and song.

Saturday also saw 16-year-old Dumfries High School pupil Gregor Grierson win twice in the 16-18 year old competitions, taking home both the W.G.G. Wilson Trophy in the Pìobaireachd competition, and the Royal Highland Fusiliers Cup for the March, Strathspey and Reel.

Portree High School’s 12-year-old Seonaidh Forrest came out on top in the 15 years and under Pìobaireachd competition, and 15-year-old Arran Green from Stirling scooped a double win, taking home the Roderick Munro Quaich for his 2/4 March, and the Lighting Electrical Cup for his Strathspey and Reel in the 15 years and under categories.

In the senior competitions, Craig Sutherland, originally from Crieff and now based in Perth, won both the Pìobaireachd and the March, Strathspey and Reel Premier and A Grade competitions. Brodie Watson-Massey won the B Grade Pìobaireachd, and Angus Macphee won the B Grade March, Strathspey and Reel competition.

This afternoon sees the return of the annual Mòd church service, providing an opportunity for festival-goers to pause among the busy programme of events.

This evening, renowned Lewis singer-songwriter Norrie MacIver and acclaimed vocalist Anne Bennett will be joined by local Gaelic choirs for an informal evening of Celtic Praise.

This weekend is just the beginning of the celebrations, with a host of exciting events taking place over the next seven days including flagship competitions the Silver Pendant, Gold Medal and Traditional Gold Medal finals. Choir competitions will be back in full force in person for the first time since 2019, and a brand new Battle of the Bands competition takes place on Tuesday.

There are also a number of fringe events being staged across the city – from children’s clubs and activities to ceilidhs, concerts, and tours.

This year also sees art showcased as part of the Mòd for the first time. The Highland Art Prize, presented by the Highland Society of London, in conjunction with An Comunn Gàidhealach and Perth and Kinross Council celebrates yet another facet of Gaelic culture and Scottish life.

Ahead of the innovative new prize being awarded on Friday at the City Contemporary Art Gallery, a selection of 10 outstanding artworks have been shortlisted. Selected by Islay artist and broadcaster Heather Dewar, the shortlist reflects the incredible standard of artistic talent across the Highlands and Islands.

James Graham, chief executive of An Comunn, said: “This weekend has been an incredible start to our exciting 2022 programme and we really appreciate everyone who has taken part in and supported this year’s Royal National Mòd so far.

“Today’s annual Mòd church service at St John’s Kirk is a great chance to slow down and reflect, before we jump into a jam packed week of music, competitions, art and much more – there’s so much to get involved in over the coming days.”

The Royal National Mòd runs in Perth until Saturday.

Torchlit procession at the first night of the Mòd

Royal National Mòd gets underway in Perth

16 October 2022