The Royal National Mòd makes its eagerly awaited opening this evening, with around 7,500 visitors set to descend on Perth to soak up the vast range of incredible performances and cultural activities on offer over the coming nine days.
Returning to the Fair City for the first time in 18 years, the historic event will bring fans of Gaelic music and culture together once again to celebrate the language, history and future of the Gaels, and is expected to generate a £1 million economic boost in the process.
To mark the opening of this landmark Mòd, organisers An Comunn Gàidhealach have announced the Gaelic Ambassador of the Year. The annual Scottish Government honour is, this year, being awarded to John Urquhart – a presenter, writer, lecturer and prominent figure in the Gaelic community.
Mr Urquhart, who is from Harris and grew up with Gaelic as his first language, has presented BBC radio programmes such as Caithris na h-Oidhche and Car mu Chnoc, and TV programmes such as the BBC’s Mòd Programmes, Dòtaman, Brag, Around Scotland, The Ice Cream Van and Beag air Bheag.
In the 1990s John also wrote Gaelic lyrics for rock songs for the bands 101 and Mise Mise. He served as a Church of Scotland Minister for 12 years and translated many articles, books, and English hymns into Gaelic. He was also part of the team which translated the New Testament from Greek into Gaelic.
An acclaimed author and poet, he won the coveted Donald Meek Award for his first poetry collection Turas and was shortlisted for the unpublished manuscript award at the Literature Prizes run by the Gaelic Books Council for his second collection, Ceum. Mr Urquhart is currently a lecturer at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and presents the SpeakGaelic podcasts.
Mr Urquhart is the 14th recipient of the prestigious award supported by the Scottish Government to recognise and celebrate special contributions to Gaelic language and culture.
John Urquhart said: “It’s such a privilege to receive Gaelic Ambassador of the Year and I am absolutely delighted to represent the Gaelic community. Gaelic is my first language and I have been working in education and entertainment for Gaels for more than 30 years, so it makes this honour all the more special.”
2022 also sees An Comunn launch a new award. Friends of the Mòd recognises the contribution that so many have made, and continue to make, to ensure the spirit of Gaelic remains alive. Up to four recipients will enter a Caraid a’ Mhòid Hall of Fame each year, nominated for their contribution to the community, music and language. The first four inductees are MG Alba Board Member Anna MacLeod, prominent Gael Freddie Mackenzie, Dingwall Gaelic Choir’s Marlene Yule and Gaelic tutor Christine Johnston.
This evening will see the Mòd’s joyous programme of performances and competition kick off with a special Torchlight Procession led by The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and Perth and District Pipe Band from Perth High Street at 6.30pm.
A civic opening ceremony will see celebrated Perthshire Gaelic singer Margaret Bennett deliver a passionate speech to officially open the Mòd, while the Opening Concert will launch the musical events in style at Perth Concert Hall at 7.30pm. Some of the very best talent in the Gaeldom including singers Mairi MacInnes, Arthur Cormack, Ceitlin Lilidh and Darren MacLean will join forces with an all-star band led by Mànran musicians and BBC presenters Gary Innes and Ewen Henderson.
Across the following nine days, the festival will combine a diverse schedule with exciting live competitions and fringe concerts, as well as a schedule of online performances to be broadcast throughout the week, with more than 2,000 musicians and participants filling 14 venues across the city.
Highlights include the An Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal final on Wednesday 19th October and the Traditional Gold Medal final on Thursday 20th October. The Combined Rural Choirs’ Competitions and Combined Area Choirs’ Competitions will also return on Thursday and Friday next week.
James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said:
“We are delighted to welcome faces old and new to The Royal National Mòd in Perth. Gaelic has a storied history in Perthshire and so we are thrilled to be back in Perth for the first Mòd in the city since 2004.
“The cultural and economic benefits of the Mòd are far-reaching and over the next nine days we will look to further the international promotion of Gaelic and our host city of Perth, have a positive impact on the local tourism and hospitality industry, and importantly, raise spirits by providing an opportunity for Gaels and Gaelic supporters to meet again and renew friendships.
“The Torchlight Procession and Opening Concert are the perfect way to kick off the event with a bang and we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy the rich schedule of events, competitions and concerts we have on offer this year.”
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “It has been an absolute privilege to celebrate the Royal National Mòd’s return to Perth.
“This is Scotland’s premier festival celebrating its Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage. The Mòd also represents an annual opportunity for Gaels and non-Gaels to gather and celebrate one of the key features of the Scottish identity.
“Occasions such as this shows why we should continue to support the Gaelic language and recognise the cultural, economic and social value that the language has for the whole of Scotland.”
Perth & Kinross Council Leader, Councillor Grant Laing said: “We’re delighted to have The Royal National Mòd return to Perth, to celebrate Gaelic culture in its many forms. We’ve been gearing up to welcome visitors from far and near to Perth and Perthshire and we hope everyone who is participating in the main competitions and the Fringe events will have a fantastic festival with us.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “The Royal National Mod has always been the perfect stage for promoting Gaelic culture and creativity through music, drama and more and EventScotland is delighted to continue its support of the event in 2022. Opening tonight with a spectacular torchlight parade, and with art and artists represented in its packed programme for the first time, I for one can’t wait to see the Mod’s return to Perth for the first time in 18 years.”
Shona MacLennan, Ceannard, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “We are delighted to support the Mòd this year in Perth. The Mòd is always a huge celebration of Gaelic language and culture, providing opportunities to use the language in a wide range of events. It also contributes to a sense of wellbeing, particularly through bringing old and new friends together after some very challenging years. We welcome all celebrations of Gaelic and its culture and I’m sure Perth will be a great venue again this year.”
The Royal National Mòd is supported by EventScotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Perth & Kinross Council, The Scottish Government, Caledonian MacBrayne and SQA.
The Royal National Mòd runs in Perth until Saturday 22nd October. More information is available at www.ancomunn.co.uk. Tickets are available to buy from the Horsecross Arts box office at www.horsecross.co.uk.
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