The 2014 Royal National Mòd in Inverness started with success for the Western Isles’ young talents competing in the instrumental events.
Winner of the Salar Salmon Trophy in the Melodeon Open U13 was Calum Alexander MacLennan from The Nicolson Institute; while taking the Silver Badge in the same competition was Tormod Niall MacLennan from Sgoil Shiabost.
Tormod looks set to follow in the footsteps of his older sister, Annie Margaret MacLennan, who also did the family proud winning the Hebrides Haulage Trophy in the Melodeon Open U19.
And that competition was a Nicolson Institute affair with pupils Duncan Shirkie from Shawbost taking the Silver Badge and the bronze going to Catriona Bain of Gress.
A Gold Badge was the award for North Uist talent Molly Alice Perkins from Sgoil Phaibil who won the Chanter Open U13 playing a March of her own choice.
Accordion competitions saw more island winners as Graham MacLennan from Stornoway came second in Accordion Music March, Strathspey and Reel; and Lauren Anne MacLean taking third in Accordion Music Open U19.
Nicolson Institute pupil Eilidh G Morrison was awarded the Silver Badge for her performance
of a Slow Gaelic Air and March in the Piano Open 13-
Western Isles’ fiddlers took home a number of prizes as fellow Nicolson pupil Eilidh
Macleod came third in the Fiddle Open 13-
And the islands’ pipers also proved successful with Calum Craib from Benbecula taking
the Silver Badge in the Bagpipes Open 13-
Katie also took Bronze in the Bagpipes Open 13-
Youngsters strike the right note at the Mòd 14/10/14