​Flag is passed to Western Isles who host premier Gaelic event in 2027

Organisers of the Royal National Mòd have said ‘ceud mìle taing’ – a hundred thousand thanks – to Glasgow as a record-breaking edition of the Gaelic festival draws to a close.

Nine unforgettable days of cultural celebration has seen estimated attendances of 11,500 across the week, with a record number of competitors and visitors enjoying around 300 competitions and events across 16 Glasgow venues.

The festival looks set to surpass last year’s economic impact of £3.9 million, as attendances increased by 20% on last year’s event in Lochaber, showing a decidedly positive outlook for the indigenous language.

The multi-arts extravaganza was closed in breathtaking style as hundreds of Gaelic singers gathered by the Donald Dewar statue at the top of Buchanan Street, accompanied by Kilbarchan Pipe Band, before singing together in unison for the much-loved Massed Choirs event.

The symbolic Mòd flag, which is passed from one host region to another each year, was handed to the Western Isles, who will welcome the event in 2027.

There was stiff competition and standing ovations at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as gauntlets were thrown down yesterday for the last of the competitions.

Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association, known fondly as the GGs, and Portree Gaelic Choir each came out on top in each of the beloved Area Choir Competitions.

Conducted by Iseabail Mactaggart, Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association, won the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield, while Portree Gaelic Choir, conducted by Thursday’s Traditional Gold Medalist Iain Cormack, lifted the Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy.

Iseabail Mactaggart, Conductor of Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association, said: “I am so incredibly proud of the choir and also proud of all the choirs that took part in both competitions, there have been phenomenally high standards. I think in terms of new arrangements, new songs, different ways of doing things, I think this was one of the most competitive sets of competitions I’ve ever experienced. That makes me incredibly proud for Gaelic and incredibly excited for Gaelic and for the role of Gaelic singing so I’m incredibly proud to have been a part of that. We knew that it was going to be incredibly tight and it was a very, very close competition. I think it’s just incredibly exciting that Gaelic choral singing is of this incredibly high standard. One of the adjudicators talked about ‘world class’ past, and I do think today’s competition was a world-class competition.

“The win is really exciting for us as a choir. It kind of galvanises us and encourages us to do even more and do more exciting things and to raise the profile of Gaelic choral singing. In general, it’s just really fantastic and exciting to see contemporary new arrangements of very old Gaelic songs being created, being composed so that younger contemporary Gaelic speakers and learners are part of an exciting movement that feels very modern, and that’s fantastic.”

Iain Cormack, Conductor of Portree Gaelic Choir said: “This is an unbelievable feeling. I’m just so proud of every person in the choir. What an amount of work they put in to get to this stage. They’re so deserving of having something to show for it, for all their efforts, I’m so proud of them all. I’ve really enjoyed the experience of conducting – it’s a new experience and there were a wee bit of nerves but I tried to just keep everyone as relaxed as possible beforehand – and it seems to have worked, I suppose!”

The roof was almost off the Barrowlands with a rousing night of trad music for Gael Force 10 on Friday, fronted by legendary broadcasters Gary Innes and Joy Dunlop. A who’s who of trad and cèilidh music talent graced the iconic East End stage across the night as hundreds of audience members threw themselves into a massive Orcadian Strip the Willow, a huge Gay Gordon’s and more.

Elsewhere, budding artists from across Scotland came together for the Highland Art Prize at the Briggait, with Jenny Cunningham from An Talla Solais in Ullapool honoured for her stunning piece, Evening Light.

This year’s judges, multi-disciplinary artist Eòghann Mac Colla and gallery owner Scott Bennett, selected the Highland artist’s work from a 70-strong shortlist to exhibit at next year’s Mòd.

Peigi MacLennan, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “Ceud mìle taing Glaschu, a hundred thousand thanks, Glasgow. What a Royal National Mòd the city has given us. Glasgow has a deep, enduring Gaelic story and this week we’ve seen how strong Gaelic is in the city today. The language has a vital role to play in modern Scotland, in our cultural landscape and national identity, and this was on full display.

“It takes a huge collective effort to make a National Mòd happen so we must share our gratitude to the competitors, performers, adjudicators, volunteers, partners, funders and audiences for pulling off an event of this scale and success. We can safely say that Glasgow’s role as the City of the Gaels remains. Now we look ahead to continuing ensuring a bright future for Gaelic language, music and culture as we return to a region which is a stronghold of and beacon for the language.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic Màiri McAllan said: “I was honoured to open The Royal National Mòd, which demonstrates the best of Gaelic, and it has been a delight to see the range of contests and events that have been hosted in Glasgow.

“An Comunn Gàidhealach, the Mòd volunteers, and all the contestants have once more ensured Scotland gets to enjoy the national platform which the festival provides.

“I would particularly like to congratulate the schoolchildren who took part, making their schools and communities proud by showing the bright future which lies ahead for Gaelic.

Rob Dickson, VisitScotland Director of Industry and Events, said: “The Royal National Mòd continues to shine a spotlight on the talent, creativity, and passion at the heart of Gaelic culture.

“This year’s event has showcased an exceptional breadth of performance and achievement, bringing people together to celebrate Gaelic language, music, and literature.

“As well as providing a platform for Gaelic language and culture to be shared and celebrated, the Mòd helps showcase the distinctive experiences that can only be found in Scotland, inspiring visitors to discover our communities, history, and cultural traditions. Congratulations to all this year’s winners and participants, and to everyone involved in making this year’s event such a success.”

Ealasaid MacDonald, Ceannard (CEO), Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “What a week we have had here in Glasgow. Congratulations to An Comunn Gàidhealach, the local committee, and the competitors on organising such a successful and enjoyable Mòd, and a brilliant showcase and celebration of Gaelic culture. I would also like to thank the people of Glasgow for extending such a warm welcome to all those who attended. I’m now looking forward to us gathering again in Stornoway next year, and I wish the planning team every success.”

Glasgow Life Chair and City Convener for Culture, Sport and International Relations, Bailie Annette Christie, said: “The 2026 Royal National Mòd has been a resounding success, and Glasgow has taken great pride in once again being able to host the world’s premier celebration of Gaelic language, music and arts.

“The prestigious cultural competitions brought together an incredible range of both experienced and emerging talent, attracting audiences from near and far to enjoy outstanding performances. The extensive fringe programme, staged at venues throughout the city, also provided a fantastic variety of events offering opportunities for everyone – whether they speak the language or not – to gather and experience a wealth of wonderful, traditional and contemporary, Gaelic creative expression.

“This year’s festival really shone a spotlight on how important Gaelic is to our nation and to our city. As the Mòd Ghlaschu 2026 highlighted, Gaelic is not only woven into our history and heritage, it plays a vital, vibrant role in our cultural identity and we are delighted to continue encouraging, supporting and developing that.”

DI Brown and Ann Kindness, Chair & Vice Chair of the Local Organising Committee said: “We are delighted with how the week has gone. Our ambition was to deliver the Mòd in Glasgow that was ambitious, had scale and showed off Glasgow to the country and to the world. With some of the finest talent based in the city and with some of the best venues in the country, we wanted to ensure that we show-cased these and we believe we have achieved that ambition and more.

“The 40th anniversary of the birth of GME in the city has been our theme from the start and we bookended the Mòd with a five-star reviewed Ar Cànan ​’​s​ ​ar Ceòl and finished it with DLÙ on the stage in Barrowland last night – a band that was birthed from Glasgow Gaelic School and a group that we could not be prouder off. We pay tribute to the tenacious and hard-working Local Organising Committee who have worked tirelessly for the last 18 months to deliver an amazing Mòd for the city and all those that attended.”

Cllr Kenny Macleod Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said: “I would like to commend all involved in making Mòd Ghlaschu such a fantastic showcase of Gaelic culture and our outstanding musical talent. I would also like to congratulate all those who won and competed in competitions over the week. Following the conclusion of the 2026 Mòd the focus now turns to the Western Isles and the 2027 Mòd. It is pleasing to see the Royal National Mòd return to the Western Isles, I look forward to welcoming competitors and spectators to our islands for what promises to be an excellent celebration of our language and culture.”

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

The Royal National Mòd will travel to the Western Isles next year, from 8 – 16 October 2027. For information on Mòd results from across the week click here.

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