Royal National Mòd set to light up historic home Oban with packed fringe programme

An exciting and wide-ranging programme of concerts, events, exhibitions and workshops has been announced for this year’s Royal National Mòd and will light up the town of Oban when the prestigious event makes its much-anticipated return between 11 – 19 October 2024.

Returning to its historic home, where the first ever event was held in 1892, Scotland’s premier Gaelic cultural event will celebrate the language and Scottish traditional music, song, drama, literature, art and sport, with hundreds of musicians and artists bringing their talents to Oban venues during the nine-day event.

The picturesque coastal town and its surrounding areas are preparing to step up as hosts for the 17th time, having last hosted a hugely successful edition in 2015. Thousands are expected to flock to the Argyll town once again to enjoy the jam-packed programme of thrilling competitions and unique fringe events.

The town’s Corran Halls will be the flagship venue for the Mòd, with other spaces and halls also hosting events and activities, while Oban’s pubs will be filled with the sounds of trad music with lively sessions planned across the week.

Multi award-winning trad supergroup Mànran will open proceedings with an electrifying concert at Corran Halls on Friday 11 October, starting off the week in spectacular style. Renowned globally for their electrifying live performances, Mànran has captivated audiences with their innovative blend of traditional and modern instruments and exceptional Gaelic and English songs. Their unique sound has earned them international acclaim and a devoted fan base around the world.

At the end of the event’s nine days, on Saturday 19 October, Cuirm Crìochnachaidh a’ Mhòid (The Mòd Grand Finale) will welcome West Coast favourites Trail West to Corran Halls to close out the 2024 edition of Gaeldom’s premier musical and cultural event with a bang.

Saturday 12 October will see the return of the beloved Ar Cànan ’s Ar Ceòl (Our Language Our Music) concert. 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 singing with the Makaton communication system of signs and symbols.

Social media star and baking sensation Coinneach MacLeod, known as The Hebridean Baker, will host a special book launch especially for the Mòd at the Rockfield Centre on Wednesday 16 October. The Hebridean Baker and The Hebridean Hutter, Padruig MacQueen, will share stories, songs and craic as part of this exclusive event.

Running throughout the Mòd week, there will be an exhibition on 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’ and ‘The Gaelic Prima Donna’. 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, performing for European royalty and in packed concert halls all over the world. This exhibition, curated by Mary Ann Kennedy and Priscilla Scott, will showcase Jessie’s links to – and impact on – the Royal National Mòd, and celebrate the extraordinary life of an Oban native.

A host of activities for youngsters and families will be on offer throughout the week, including Gaelic Lego Club, Gaelic Bookbug alongside art sessions and an early years cèilidh all held at Oban’s Guide Hall, with a family cèilidh taking place at Corran Halls on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 October with music, games and dancing aplenty.

Sport will also be on the agenda, with the annual Mòd Shinty Cup and Mòd Football Cup matches set to take place at the Mossfield and Glen pitches on Saturday 12 October. Gaeldom’s best teams will go head to head for the coveted trophies in what are always hotly contested clashes.

There will also be a traders’ exhibition outside the Corran Halls as part of the event, with stalls from Gaelic supporting businesses and organisations across Scotland.

The Mòd fringe programme brings together a host of activities for all ages to enjoy across the week, in addition to the flagship competitions that the Mòd is renowned for. Participants are expected to travel to Oban from across Scotland and beyond to compete in disciplines including singing, bàrdachd, instrumental, drama and Highland dancing.

James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “This year’s Royal National Mòd fringe programme has something for everyone, from Gaelic learners to native speakers, whether you’re most interested in music, crafts, history, sport, or dance. Oban has been a fantastic host in previous years, as well as being the historical home of the Mòd having hosted its first ever event, and we can’t wait to return once again. It’s always brilliant to see how the community embraces the Mòd and all the visitors it brings. We’re so grateful to the local committee and all our partners for all of their hard work in making sure this year’s Mòd is a resounding success.”

Argyll and Bute Council Leader, Councillor Jim Lynch, said: “We’re delighted to host the Royal National Mòd in Oban once again and this year’s programme is filled to the brim with activities and events – there’s something for everyone.

“Gaelic is an important part of our culture and heritage in Argyll and Bute and we’re committed to helping the language to flourish. It is always an honour for us to host the Mòd and I have no doubt this year’s event will be a great success.”

Donald MacLean, Mòd 2024, Local Committee Convener 2024 says: “In the 9 years since the Royal National Mòd last came to Oban, Gaelic communities locally and nationally have witnessed huge amounts of change. We see this year as an exciting opportunity to galvanise feelings of pride in our Gaelic heritage, and optimism for renewed growth. Mòd an Òbain 2024 aims to fuel inspiration and increase engagement amongst our Gaelic communities as we look to the future of the language and culture – and what better way to showcase this than with this absolutely stellar and diverse fringe programme.”

Ealasaid MacDonald, Ceannard, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “Bòrd na Gàidhlig is delighted to see such a varied programme of events announced for Oban 2024. The Mòd team should be congratulated on ensuring that there will be something for everyone, which will no doubt attract a wide range of competitors and visitors to the town in October. Oban is renowned for showcasing the best of Gaelic culture, especially so when the Mòd is taking place, and we are all looking forward to celebrating our language at this important national cultural festival.”

This year’s Royal National Mòd in Oban is supported by EventScotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Argyll and Bute Council, EventScotland, The Scottish Government, Caledonian MacBrayne, BBC ALBA, Creative Scotland and SQA.

The Royal National Mòd takes place in Oban from 11 – 19 October 2024. Tickets for select events will be on sale at https://ancomunn.eventbrite.co.uk/

For more information, visit www.ancomunn.co.uk

The programme is able to view here https://shorturl.at/2bvh5