A wide-ranging programme of concerts, events, exhibitions and workshops has been
announced for this year’s Royal National Mòd and will light up the town of Oban when
the prestigious event makes its much-anticipated return in October.
Always a favourite location for the Mòd, the town has hosted the event seventeen times.
The Corran Halls will again be the flagship venue, with other spaces and halls also hosting events and activities, while Oban’s pubs will be filled with the sounds of traditional music with lively sessions planned across the week.
Multi award-winning trad supergroup Mànran will open proceedings with an electrifying
concert at Corran Halls on Friday 11 October, starting off the week in spectacular
style.
The beloved Ar Cànan ’s Ar Ceòl (Our Language Our Music) concert takes place on the Saturday for a night of traditional music and Gaelic culture with performers of all ages from all over Argyll, the concert will showcase local talent including celebrated Mull singer Alasdair Whyte, trad musicians from Oban High School and the Oban High School Pipers, Fèis Latharna musicians and Makaton Gaelic Choir ‘Aon Ghuth’, who combine singing with the Makaton communication system of signs and symbols.
The grand finale concert - Cuirm Crìochnachaidh a’ Mhòid - will also take place at
the Corran Halls with west coast favourites Trail West.
Hebridean Baker sensation Coinneach Macleod will host a special book launch especially for the Mòd at the Rockfield Centre on the Wednesday.
Running over the week will be an exhibition on Jessie MacLachlan, the first voice in Gaelic to ever be recorded on the newly invented gramophone in 1899 who was known as ‘The Queen of Scottish Song’ and ‘The Gaelic Prima Donna’.
Born in Oban in 1866, Jessie was the star guest at the first ever Mòd - which took
place in the town - in 1892 and became a celebrated singer with a global following,
performing for European royalty and in packed concert halls all over the world.
A host of activities for youngsters and families will be on offer throughout the week, including Gaelic Lego Club, Gaelic Bookbug alongside art sessions and an early years cèilidh all held at Oban’s Guide Hall, with a family cèilidh taking place at Corran Halls on the Monday and Tuesday with music, games and dancing aplenty.
Sport will also be on the agenda, with the annual Mòd Shinty Cup and Mòd Football Cup matches set to take place at the Mossfield and Glen pitches on Saturday 12 October. Gaeldom’s best teams will go head to head for the coveted trophies in what are always hotly contested clashes.
There will also be a traders’ exhibition outside the Corran Halls as part of the event, with stalls from Gaelic supporting businesses and organisations across Scotland.
The Mòd fringe programme brings together a host of activities for all ages to enjoy across the week, in addition to the flagship competitions that the Mòd is renowned for. Participants are expected to travel to Oban from across Scotland and beyond to compete in disciplines including singing, bàrdachd, instrumental, drama and Highland dancing.
James Graham, chief executive of Mòd organisers, An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: this year’s fringe programme has something for everyone, from Gaelic learners to native speakers, “whether you’re most interested in music, crafts, history, sport, or dance.
“Oban has been a fantastic host in previous years, as well as being the historical home of the Mòd having hosted its first ever event, and we can’t wait to return once again.
“ It’s always brilliant to see how the community embraces the Mòd and all the visitors it brings. We’re so grateful to the local committee and all our partners for all of their hard work in making sure this year’s Mòd is a resounding success.”
Royal National Mòd set to light up Oban with packed fringe programme
1 July 2024