Royal National Mòd News

Bilingual beats: Glasgow anthem gets Gaelic makeover ahead of Royal National Mòd

Published: 10 Aug 2026

Ar n-Òran do Ghlaschu (Our Song for Glasgow) poster

A special song celebrating the spirit of Glasgow has been reimagined in Scottish Gaelic ahead of the Royal National Mòd’s return to the city this autumn.

The rousing Ar n-Òran do Ghlaschu (Our Song for Glasgow) brings together the voices of acclaimed singer Norrie ‘Tago’ MacIver and Còisir Sgoiltean Gàidhlig Ghlaschu (the Glasgow Gaelic School Choirs), which comprises young singers from all four of Glasgow’s Gaelic primary schools.

With Glasgow home to the biggest concentration of Gaelic speakers outside the Western Isles, the song – which is out this Thursday 13 August – celebrates the city and its thriving Gaelic community and links.

The original English version written by Jamie Campbell of Glasgow band Dignity Row was selected by Glasgow Life through a competition with Go Radio as a song that captures the vibrancy of the city and has been used to represent the charity across its marketing campaigns ever since.

Ahead of Glasgow’s hosting of the world’s biggest celebration of Scottish Gaelic, Jamie has worked closely with musician, composer and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy to translate the tribute to Glasgow into Gaelic.

The song picks up on iconic images of the ‘world’s friendliest city’ and includes a description of Glasgow’s Buchanan Street full of music and song, as will be the case when the Mòd arrives in October.

The Gaelic version will be performed at a Dignity Row gig at the Bungalow on Thursday by Mary Ann, before being featured as part of the Mòd, which runs from 9 – 17 October 2026.

Schoolchildren from Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Bhaile Ghobhainn (Govan), Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghleann Dail (Pollokshields), Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu (Finnieston) and Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn (Calton) can all be heard on the track, alongside Dignity Row founding member Jamie Campbell on keyboards, Dario Palazzo on guitar, Julian Pombo on bass guitar, and Gavin Paterson on drums.

The track was recorded at Studio 1790 in Cumbernauld, with vocals from the schoolchildren recorded at the Finnieston and Govan school campuses, with the support of Gaelic singer-songwriter Isla Scott.

Jamie Campbell of Dignity Row said: “Ar n-Òran do Ghlaschu (Our Song for Glasgow) tries to capture the unique, dynamic essence and heartbeat of Glasgow where people are great, friendly, welcoming characters who tell you their life story, and make you never feel alone. Locals and visitors make so many great memories here, and trace back ma gical moments to particular landmarks. Walking down Buchanan Street, there is music all around as you stroll through our great city that we should all be very proud to call home.

“I have always aimed to write songs straight from the heart to capture emotions that are difficult to communicate out loud in everyday conversation. The lyrics reflect my love for Glasgow and all the places and people that remind me of home. In Glasgow you are truly never alone!”

Glasgow Gael, Mary Ann Kennedy said: “It’s a real privilege to be entrusted with translating someone else’s song, but a joy as well, as Jamie obviously has the same love of the city as I do.”

Chair of Glasgow Life, and City Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations, Bailie Annette Christie, said: “Having this special song Ar n-Òran do Ghlaschu (Our Song for Glasgow) to celebrate, in Gaelic, the spirit of the city as it looks forward to welcoming the Royal National Mòd’s return, is very special.

“Glasgow can’t wait to once again host this renowned cultural celebration. As home to the largest concentration of Gaelic speakers outwith the Western Isles, the city has strong, historic links with Gaelic, and interest and engagement have grown considerably in recent years. We are committed to building on engagement and the growing interest in the language and culture – and our Gaelic Arts Plan 2025-2029 affirms our aim to encourage and enable further participation in, and appreciation of, Gaelic creative expression.

“We recognise how valuable it is to ensure Gaelic and non-Gaelic speakers alike are offered opportunities to experience events and activities that support and strengthen Gaelic language and culture – boosting the social impact and economic contribution they make. So staging The Royal National Mòd, and ensuring as many people as possible can enjoy all that Gaelic arts and music offer, is hugely important to the city.”

This year’s Royal National Mòd in Glasgow is supported by Glasgow Life, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Scottish Government, EventScotland, Caledonian MacBrayne, BBC ALBA, Creative Scotland and Qualifications Scotland.

The Royal National Mòd returns to Glasgow from 9 - 17 October 2026. Tickets for flagship events are on sale now, visit modghlaschu2026.org.

Ar n-Òran do Ghlaschu (Our Song for Glasgow) is available to download and stream from Thursday 13 August, SoundCloud link here.

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