The BBC will bring the full sights and sounds of this year’s Royal National Mòd to audiences across Scotland as the country’s biggest celebration of Gaelic language and culture returns to Lochaber this October.
From Sunday 12 to Friday 17 October, BBC ALBA, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC Naidheachdan will deliver a week of live coverage across television, radio and digital platforms, following the competitions, stories and spirit of the Mòd from the heart of Fort William.
This year’s festival will see thousands of participants from across Scotland and beyond come together to compete in Gaelic song, poetry, storytelling, piping and choral music, with events taking place at venues throughout Lochaber.
Margaret Mary Murray, Head of BBC Gaelic Services, described the Mòd as the most significant event in the Gaelic broadcast calendar.
“The Royal National Mòd is a week-long celebration of the finest Gaelic music and song,” she said.
“BBC ALBA, Radio nan Gàidheal and Naidheachdan will be there every step of the way, with live coverage, competition highlights and behind-the-scenes content across all platforms.
“Lochaber and the BBC are the places to be this October, we hope audiences across Scotland will join us.”
On BBC ALBA, live television coverage begins Monday 13 October, with presenters Linda MacLeod and Hannah McKirdy showcasing highlights from the Children’s Mòd.
Visit this web page for the more details of BBC ALBA coverage.
Viewers can expect competitions in singing, poetry, piping, and Gaelic storytelling, including performances from young learners and fluent speakers.
From midweek, focus shifts to the senior competitions.
Cathy MacDonald will present coverage of the prestigious Gold Medal final for solo singing, and later in the week, the Traditional Gold Medal final, both key moments in the Mòd calendar.
Adult choir competitions will also be featured, with expert guests offering live studio analysis of performances.
A special Friday night programme will highlight the week’s top performances and share moments from choirs across Scotland.
BBC Radio nan Gàidheal will be broadcasting over 45 hours of live content across the week.
BBC Radio Nan Gàidheal’s schedule can be viewed here
Starting with Sunday’s ecumenical service at Duncansburgh Church, the station will deliver daily programming direct from the Nevis Centre and surrounding venues.
Listeners can expect live coverage of competitions, in-depth interviews, news, music and community stories.
Programmes such as Aithris na Maidne, Feasgar an-diugh and A’ Mìre ri Mòir will broadcast live from the Mòd hub, while evening events such as Mòrag’s Cèilidh will bring the festival atmosphere into homes across the Highlands and beyond.
Coverage of the final day includes the much-anticipated Lovat and Tullibardine Shield and Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy, two of the Mòd’s premier choral competitions.
BBC Naidheachdan, the Gaelic news service, will provide daily bulletins from Fort William across radio, television and online, including on An Là at 7pm and Aithris an Fheasgair at 5pm.
Additional digital coverage will appear throughout the week on social media and BBC platforms, offering access-all-areas updates, interviews and moments from behind the scenes.
