Cultural Phenomenon
The Scots Magazine|October 2017

Celebrating 125 years, the Gaelic Mòd is an international success story

Rhona Taylor
Cultural Phenomenon

WHEN the first Mòd was held back in 1892, its unlikely the organisers of the two-day Gaelic festival in Oban could have envisaged how it would flourish and develop into today’s thriving celebration of language and culture.

Now, 125 years later, An Comunn Gàidhealach’s nine-day festival has been held all over Scotland, from the Highlands and islands to the central belt, attracting many thousands of competitors and visitors alike from all around the world each and every year – and generating millions of pounds for the local host economy as well.

In recent years, in addition to the traditional competitions and awards that have always formed the basis of the Mòd’s schedule, organisers have developed a varied fringe programme involving gigs, visual art, poetry, theatre and street performances that have broadened the appeal of the festival far beyond its traditional base. It has also opened up to an international audience, with past competitors coming from Russia, Australia and Germany, and an Argentinian Gaelic choir due to take part in 2018.

This year the Royal National Mòd – Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail – will be held in Lochaber in the Highlands for the first time in a decade.

As happens each year, the winning area was chosen from bids submitted to the board of An Comunn, and in October ithe chosen area will host approximately 200 competitions covering a range of disciplines from Gaelic music, song and spoken word to Highland dancing, sport and literature.

Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra October 2017-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE SCOTS MAGAZINESe alt
Unst To Orbit
The Scots Magazine

Unst To Orbit

Shetland's spaceport is set to take Europe by storm, launching rockets to the stratosphere

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Just Passing Through
The Scots Magazine

Just Passing Through

A tale of the unexpected unfolds at dawn in a Stirlingshire glen as a rare, shy creature slips out of the shadows

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
Brigadoon Revisited
The Scots Magazine

Brigadoon Revisited

An affectionate look back at the low budget \"synthetic Scotch\" movie that still sparkles in the mist, 70 years on

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
A Brand New Opening
The Scots Magazine

A Brand New Opening

The Scots Magazine revisits the Old Course in St Andrews almost 70 years on and celebrates recent progress in welcoming women

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Kenmore's Crossroads
The Scots Magazine

Kenmore's Crossroads

Fury over a luxury redevelopment at the Perthshire village made news headlines around the world but is the tide of popular opinion turning?

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
Seeing Double!
The Scots Magazine

Seeing Double!

Sam Heughan's Outlander body double, lain Wilkie, shares stories about his experiences on and off screen

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
The Story & The Song
The Scots Magazine

The Story & The Song

With a soundtrack to a Shetland tale, author and musician Malachy Tallack blends his artistic passions in his latest venture

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
A Rebirth From The Earth
The Scots Magazine

A Rebirth From The Earth

Erland Cooper's intriguing project has given nature and two determined fans a hand in shaping and bringing his new album to light

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Nip Of Champions
The Scots Magazine

Nip Of Champions

Whisky has long been associated with moments of triumph, including a recent example of clever sporting motivation

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
The Waterside Hotel
The Scots Magazine

The Waterside Hotel

A spectacular spot on the stunning Ayrshire coast

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024