Junior competitions fill the programme before a trip to the coast closes day five.
The sound of young voices will once again fill the air as the junior competitions get underway at the Royal National Mòd in the capital of the Highlands today, Tuesday 12th October.
The girls Silver Pendant and the boys Silver Kilt Pin kick off proceedings live from Eden Court Theatre from 11am, with youngsters performing a selection of Gaelic material set by an esteemed panel of judges.
The afternoon will see the girls Traditional Silver Pendant and boys Silver Kilt Pin, with 13–15-year-olds singing their own choice of heartfelt Gaelic songs, with competitors from towns across Scotland, from the Isle of Lewis to Mull, travelling to Inverness to take part.
Fringe events today include the Là Spòrs Do Chlann at Cathedral Church of St. Andrew Hall, giving pre-school children the chance to join in with a range of fun activities including Gaelic stories, games and art, Mini Fèis at Inverness Gaelic Primary School, live music at Eden Court’s outdoor venue between 4pm and 6pm and a Family Ceilidh at Fairways, Inverness from 6.30pm.
Tonight’s entertainment, bringing together valued heritage with innovative composition, comes from Lauren MacColl who presents her newly commissioned work, ‘An Ear / East’.
This local fiddler and composer will perform a piece inspired by coastal happenings and stories from around the Moray Firth as part of the celebrations for Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters.
Lauren will be joined by Mairearad Green, Anna Massie and Rachel Newton with songs from Arthur Cormack and Emma MacLeod.
The concert also features exciting visuals by filmmaker Zoe Paterson MacInnes.
James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said:
“The children’s competitions are a very important part of Mòd week.
“They showcase the young talent that is starting to break through, and give an encouraging insight into the health of the future of Gaelic culture and song.
“We also have a lively programme of fringe events for all the family and are greatly looking forward to welcoming Lauren MacColl to the Empire Theatre stage for the long-awaited debut of ‘East’.”
Chair of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee, Cllr Calum Munro said:
“Good luck to all the young competitors in the junior competitions starting today.
“Participation in the local and national Mòds is an extremely valuable life skill which inspires confidence for our young people in public speaking and performing while continuing to foster cultural pride and growth in the Gaelic language.”
Shona MacLennan, Ceannard, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said:
“We are pleased to see the wide-range of events that the Mòd Inverness 2021 has arranged for children, which complement the competitions running on Tuesday.
“This aspect of the Royal National Mòd provides great fun and strengthens the children’s attachment to Gaelic, encouraging them to continue using it as they grow older.
“The events also contribute to the National Gaelic Language Plan aim that more people use Gaelic more often and in a wider range of situations.”
The Royal National Mòd is supported by EventScotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, The Highland Council, Events Scotland, The Scottish Government, HIE, Caledonian MacBrayne and SQA.
A number of COVID safety measures are in place for this year’s Mòd in line with government guidelines to keep audiences and performers safe, including extensive cleaning and ongoing COVID safety checks, enhanced hygiene measures, use of face masks and track and trace check-ins.
The Royal National Mòd will run until 16th October 2021.
View the full programme and purchase tickets by clicking here.
