A retired street lighting manager with Glasgow City Council celebrated his 60th birthday by winning the traditional singing Gold Medal at the Royal National Mod in Paisley.
Calum Angus Macdonald, who originally hails from Breasclete on Lewis, never thought he stood a chance because he was trailing behind in last place after Wednesday’s preliminary heats.
But he switched on the vocals to score the highest marks at the crucial final competition in the prestigious event marking the end of the solo singing events at the Mod being held in Paisley this week.
Though the An Comunn Gold Medal is officially the top prize, many, especially islanders, favour the traditional signing or Seann Nòs event.
Speaking immediately after the results were announced in Paisley Town Hall last night (Thurs) Mr Macdonald said: “I am absolutely delighted - and shocked.
“This is a total surprise to me because I never thought I would ever make up that mark difference from the previous day.”
He added: “I’ve tried the traditional gold competition before, two years ago in Stornoway, but never got past the qualifying rounds.”
► Golden smile from singing dentist
► Island singers win Traditional Gold at the Mod
