Royal National Mòd News

Boost to Gaelic proficiency under new Royal National Mòd choir competition plans

Published: 28 Oct 2025

Choir at National Mòd

​Following an in-depth consultation with the Gaelic choral community, organisers of the Royal National Mòd, An Comunn Gàidhealach, have today outlined plans and updates on how they will continue supporting and developing the event’s much-loved choral competitions.

Building on valuable feedback from choir members, conductors, Gaelic readers and Comunn nan Còisirean (The Association of Gaelic Choirs), the organisation is placing renewed emphasis on Gaelic proficiency as a core aspect of choral excellence and cultural celebration, in proposals shared with choirs today.

Each year, the Royal National Mòd holds four premier choir competitions involving around 34 choirs over two days, with singers vying to win either the Lorn Shield or Sheriff MacMaster Campbell Trophy on the Thursday, or the Lovat & Tullibardine Shield or Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy on the Friday.

Central to proposals is a new partnership with Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and SpeakGaelic, which will support choirs and their members with a Gaelic language proficiency framework aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

This collaborative approach will offer choirs a comprehensive toolkit and resources, alongside online and in-person training sessions, to support their members in developing their Gaelic fluency, and ensuring the language remains central to their performances.

Changes in this area, which seek to underline the Royal National Mòd’s commitment to strengthening Gaelic language proficiency, and which will come into place for the 2026 edition of the Royal National Mòd, include:

  • A revised formula to evaluate language proficiency for choir members in all four of the premier choir competitions, which will supersede the Gold, Silver and Bronze card system currently in place
  • Choirs will be asked to submit a succinct Gaelic language plan to allow them to capture and track Gaelic language fluency among members
  • A variety of methods to assess language proficiency among choir members will be introduced, which can be tailored to individual needs

A report shared with all Scottish Gaelic choirs today also outlines proposed changes to future competition structures and rules.

From 2027, it is proposed singers will only be allowed to sing with one choir in one premier competition per day, in a bid to help ensure fairness, inclusivity and opportunities for all choirs to showcase their creativity and strengths.

No changes to competition structures will be implemented for 2026, and any adjustments in this area will only be agreed after further consultation and collaboration with choirs through focus groups and other activities.

Maggie Cunningham, Chair of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “An Comunn Gàidhealach remains steadfast in its mission, Ar Cànan ’s ar Ceòl, to promote Gaelic language and music for all.

“By working closely with our choirs, partners, and the wider choral community, we are striving to make fluency and confidence in Gaelic an enduring strength and aspiration within the Mòd. Our priority is to nourish what makes our choral tradition unique and to support the language for generations to come.

“Our choir competition proposals are the result of extensive feedback from choirs, conductors, and Gaelic readers to positively develop this much-loved aspect of the Mòd. We are grateful to all those who have contributed to the ongoing consultation and to Comunn nan Còisirean for their continued partnership working.

“We believe these important initial changes will strengthen the foundation of our competitions, ensuring they remain a vibrant and integral part of the Royal National Mòd.

“To ensure fairness and equity for all competitors, from Mòd 2027 choristers will be allowed to sing in only one premier competition per day. We appreciate this may be challenging for some choirs, particularly those from rural areas, but this change will help create a fairer and more balanced competition for everyone involved.

“We look forward to continuing this important dialogue with choirs, conductors and readers, and to see our choral events and the Gaelic language thrive and be celebrated in the years to come.”

Màrtainn Mac a’ Bhàillidh, Adult Learning Manager at (the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture) Sabhal Mòr Ostaig said: “We’re delighted to be working with An Comunn Gàidhealach to encourage uptake and progression in Gaelic learning amongst National Mòd competitors. The SpeakGaelic course and FICE assessments will provide a clear learning and accreditation pathway for those looking to start their learning journey, through to those looking to take the final steps to fluency, or to brush up on their grammar or literacy skills.”

The 133-year-old Royal National Mòd, held in a different Scottish location each year, travels to Glasgow in 2026 – an urban heartland of the indigenous language in Scotland today which is home to the largest concentration of Gaelic speakers outside of the Western Isles.

The world’s largest Scottish Gaelic cultural showcase, which proudly celebrates the unique language, culture, and spirit of the Gaels and champions its relevance and value in modern Scotland, spans around 300 individual events including competitions, concerts, cèilidhs and processions.

The Royal National Mòd returns to Glasgow in 2026, from 9 - 17 October.

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