Most of the Local Mòds will be taking place in the coming weeks throughout Scotland. We hope you all have a great time and good luck to all those who are competing! If you are competing at a Local Mòd this year, why not enter the Royal National Mòd as well? We’d love to see you in Oban in October!

More info here.

Enter here.

Get in touch: info@ancomunn.co.uk

​The Gold Medal winners from last year’s Royal National Mòd in Paisley, Emma MacLeod and Iain Cormack, will attend Mòd Chesapeake in Maryland this August to celebrate the thriving Gaelic connection between Scotland and the USA.

As part of their prize for winning the coveted Gold Medals for Gaelic song, the pair will act as ambassadors at the regional festival, taking place on Saturday 3rd August 2024, and will perform and teach two workshops, as well as attending a celebratory dinner and cèilidh in the evening.

Mòd Chesapeake, hosted by Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir, marks a significant milestone in the international outreach of the Royal National Mòd, emphasising its global footprint and fostering strong connections with diaspora communities.

Founded in 2023, the link between An Comunn Gàidhealach and the Chesapeake Mòd represents a revival of the longstanding tradition of cultural exchange between Scottish and American Gaelic enthusiasts, rekindling the spirit of camaraderie and shared heritage, with Iain and Emma’s journey across the pond serving as a testament to the enduring bonds that unite Gaelic communities worldwide.

Mòd Chesapeake was established by two local Gaelic groups - Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir in Baltimore and Gàidhlig Photomac who are based in both Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Regional Mòds continue to grow in the United States, with Mòd New York and Mòd Kentucky also starting in 2023, and the North Carolina Mòd and U.S. National Mòd already established.

At Mòd Chesapeake, attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Gaelic language and song through a series of workshops tailored for both beginners and advanced learners. Led by experienced instructors, these workshops offer a unique avenue for participants to deepen their understanding of Gaelic culture and elevate their language skills.

Mòd Gold Medallist Emma MacLeod, who is originally from Scalpay, was already a Traditional Gold Medallist when she won at last year’s Mòd, completing a Gold double following her outstanding performance. Iain Cormack, who hails from Skye and now resides in Glasgow, comes from a long line of Mòd Gold Medallists, and sang the song his father sang 40 years ago when he won the Gold Medal himself.

Liam Ó Caiside, co-founder and adjudicator of Mòd Chesapeake, co-organiser of Gàidhlig Photomac and President of An Comunn Gàidhealach Ameireaganach, said: “We are really delighted that Iain and Emma will be here in the States for Mòd Chesapeake this year. This will be our second regional Mòd in this region – between Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. Scottish Gaelic learners in the region will get great encouragement from this visit – it’s a big honour.

“We at Mòd Chesapeake are very excited to be working with An Comunn Gàidhealach in Scotland this year. ACG is raising our event to a higher level. We’re receiving support from An Comunn Gàidhealach America too. It’s important for learners or students here to meet with singers and speakers of Scottish Gaelic, and Iain and Emma will be fantastic Gaelic ambassadors. We will learn so much from them and I hope they will see how strong the interest is in Scottish Gaelic in this area. Some people will come just to meet them! They will have a great welcome.”

Emma MacLeod said: “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to go overseas to Mòd Chesapeake as a Gaelic Ambassador, alongside Iain. It’s a great honour to travel so far afield to share my love and passion for the Gaelic language, culture and song. I look forward to engaging with attendees, inspiring them to explore and embrace Gaelic traditions, and fostering a deeper appreciation for Scotland’s heritage.

“Being able to represent Gaelic internationally is not just a privilege but also a testament to the enduring significance of our cultural identity. What better way to learn a language than through song? I live for the Mòd and now I get to go to two within a couple of months - delighted!”

Iain Cormack said: “It is an honour to be invited to take part in Mòd Chesapeake and I am very proud that I, along with Emma, are to be there as ambassadors for An Comunn Gàidhealach and the Gaelic community as a whole. The Mòd has always played a very important part in my life, having competed from childhood into adulthood, and I am very much looking forward to be bringing a small taste of Gaelic language and music to an international stage! It is very important to maintain the connection of Gaelic culture with American people of Gaelic descent, and I am sure there will be several attendees at the Mòd that come into that category. Personally, I am especially looking forward to meeting those with good Skye ancestry! Here’s to Mòd Chesapeake!”

The second annual Mòd Chesapeake will take place at St. Vincent Pallotti High School, Laurel, Maryland, USA on Saturday 3rd August 2024. For more info please visit the Mòd Chesapeake website.

This year’s Royal National Mòd will take place in Oban, Scotland between 11 - 19 October 2024, supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Argyll and Bute Council, EventScotland, The Scottish Government, Caledonian MacBrayne, BBC ALBA, Creative Scotland and SQA. Find out more on our website.

Have a look at all the competitions we have on offer for Mòd an Òbain 2024!

More info here

Enter here

Get in touch: info@ancomunn.co.uk

The closing date for Mòd an Òbain 2024 is fast approaching! Have you decided what competitions to enter? What song will you sing? We have a whole range of competitions on offer, so why not enter? We’re going to have a great Mòd in Oban!

More info at: https://bit.ly/3UxVYjM

Enter here: https://enter.ancomunn.co.uk/

More info: info@ancomunn.co.uk

#mòdanòbain #mòdanòbain2024 #Gàidhlig #Gaelic

If you are a young musician and play in a traditional band, why not join us for this year’s Battle of the Bands competition in Oban!

This is a fantastic opportunity for young musicians to perform live on stage, in competition with other bands!

The winning band will receive a fabulous prize of studio time in a professional recording studio! Enter now!

More info here

Enter here

More info: info@ancomunn.co.uk

Closing date for entries approaching for The Royal National Mòd 2024 in Oban

The online entry system to compete in this year’s Royal National Mòd closes soon. Individual and group competitors wishing to take part in the 2024 event, taking place from 11-19 October 2024 in Oban, have until midnight on Friday 31 May 2024 to submit their entries.

This year marks a poignant homecoming for the iconic event, Scotland’s premier celebration of the Gaelic language, music and culture, as it returns to Oban for the 17th time.

Oban is fondly recognised as the home of the Mòd, with An Comunn Gàidhealach, the organisation who run the Royal National Mòd and a network of Local Mòds across Scotland, founded there in 1891. They went on to hold the first ever Mòd in the Argyllshire town the following year.

Between 11 – 19 October, Oban’s venues, pubs and streets will come to life with musical competitions, processions, concerts, workshops, sessions and more.

The full list of competitions taking place for Oban’s 2024 Mòd, including singing, bàrdachd, instrumental, drama and Highland dancing categories, can be found in the Mòd syllabuses and entries can be submitted before the end of the month here.

Marina MacKay, Mòd Officer at An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “With just over two weeks until competition entries close, I strongly encourage anyone thinking about applying for the 2024 Mòd to submit their application and make sure they are part of this year’s spectacular event in Oban. Last year’s Mòd in Paisley welcomed over 8,000 visitors, including over 2,000 participants, to over 200 events and we expect this year’s festival to bring together even more people to celebrate Gaelic music and culture. We’re looking forward to welcoming Scotland’s best singers and players from across Gaeldom to this year’s festival.”

The Royal National Mòd is supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Argyll and Bute Council, EventScotland, The Scottish Government, Caledonian MacBrayne, BBC ALBA and SQA.

The National Mòd 2024 online entry system is here and syllabuses etc. are here.

There are only THREE weeks to go until entries close for this year’s Royal National Mòd competitions. Remember any own choice pieces must be submitted on this date too!

We have lots of competition on offer; singing, recitations, choral competitions, drama, bands, literature, dance, instrumental and much more!

• Full list of competitions here
• Register Here

​There are only 4 weeks left to enter for this year’s Royal National Mòd competitions!

The entry system is OPEN and you can view the full list of competitions & rules here on our website.

Enter competitions here.

If you require any help with your entries, please feel free to contact us any time on 01463 709 705 or email info@ancomunn.co.uk

Familiarise yourself with some basic Gaelic phrases to use in your business!

Furan Gaelic Centre and Mòd an Òbain are proud to be offering a range of interactive, in person Gaelic taster sessions, aimed specifically at local businesses and staff.

It is hoped that front of house staff and business owners alike will be able to pick up a bit of Gaelic ahead of the National Mòd in 2024, where thousands of Gaelic revellers will be descending upon the town’s business community for a week of celebration.

Sessions will be taking place on the following dates at Furan Gaelic Centre in the Corran Halls, Oban, and are completely free to attend.

• 02 May - 7pm
• 09 May - 12pm
• 16 May - 7pm
• 23 May - 12pm

For more info, and to notify attendance, check out the Facebook event through this link.