The Royal National Mòd generated a £1.7 million economic boost to host town Paisley in October 2023, it has been revealed.
An economic impact report found a 12% increase in participant numbers from the previous year’s event in Perth.
Around 8,410 attendees of all ages travelled from across Scotland to the Renfrewshire town for nine days of competitions, concerts, workshops and more, staged at 20 venues across the region.
Ten years on since the Mòd first visited Paisley, the event supported around 27 full-time equivalent jobs in the economy, brought economic benefits to other areas, including Glasgow, through accommodation and other expenditure, and generated £390,000 of potential future visitor spend from those returning to Paisley as a result of the Mòd.
The study was carried out by Glamis Consultancy on behalf of Mòd organisers, An Comunn Gàidhealach.
The positive impact on Gaelic arts and the wellbeing of those involved was considerable, stimulating interest in the language and its music and culture and enhancing awareness of Gaelic. Of those attendees surveyed, 72% believed the Mòd was a great way to meet friends again, 67% thought that participation in the Mòd encouraged social engagement and 61% agreed that participation in The Mòd was beneficial to mental health.
The return on investment for key partners, generated through the creation of additional expenditure, was also significant and estimated at 11 to 1 for Renfrewshire Council and 14 to 1 for Bord na Gàidhlig. In terms of the value of the event to Scotland’s cultural heritage and international platform, the return for EventScotland was calculated at 73 to 1.
There were high levels of visitor satisfaction with both the Mòd and the host town of Paisley, with An Comunn regarded for their organisational efforts. This is thought to have stimulated a high level of demand to attend and engage with the Oban Mòd in October 2024.
James Graham, An Comunn’s chief executive, said: “The Paisley Mòd has reinforced our event’s place as the main showcase for Gaelic language, culture and arts in Scotland, and our central role in championing and growing the cultural impact and reputation of Gaelic and Gaelic arts at home and around the world.
“The Paisley Mòd proved to be a very popular event and in turn helped create significant additional economic impact for Paisley and Renfrewshire and other far-reaching positive impacts, which is exactly what we aim to deliver for our hosts. The Mòd has such a sense of community around it so to see the social and wellbeing benefits this brings is heartening.
“It is very encouraging to see participant and visitor numbers on the rise again and we hope even more people will come and join us in Oban this October for what is sure to be another fantastic cultural celebration.”
Paisley enjoyed £1.7 million boost from Royal National Mòd
15 March 2024
Tong Choir are regular participants at the Mòd