It is the final day of the Royal National Mòd in Glasgow, where both fluent Gaelic singers and learner’s competed on the mainland stage, with many returning to the islands as winners.

This year, the competition had more than 2,100 entrants. Overall, it is estimated that there was a total of 10,000 competitors, performers, and visitors to Glasgow.

Winners across the islands have been celebrated for their talents and the dedicated time they have put into perfecting each performance. 

The Mòd officially opened in Glasgow on 9 October, marking the 13th time the city has hosted the week-long celebratory event. This year, reports came early in the week to say how much of a buzz could be felt across the city and how Gaelic speakers from across the country, as well as some international entries, were welcomed. 

Reports said that “Gaelic is alive and thriving” as Glasgow became a city of Gaels for the week-long event.

Featured alongside the competitions was the well-attended fringe events, which ranged from sports activities, to art, and to evening concerts like the newly introduced Gael Force 10 – which brought a close to the annual competitions.

The highly anticipated gold medals were awarded to two Leòdhasach’s who took wins in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Isabelle Bain from Gress, who now lives in Sydney, and Mark Smith from Shawbost, who now lives in Glasgow, both made their debut’s in the competition this year and were both awarded the highest points in their category on the night.

The traditional gold medal competition took place the next evening, with Neil Macritchie from Lewis and Isla Scott from Harris both taking third place in their competitions.

Island choirs also scored highly in their own competitions, with Còisir Sgìr a’ Bhac winning the Lorn Shield in the Rural Choirs’ contest with a score of 376 points. Following closely behind Back was Còisir Ghàidhlig Bharraigh with 374 points, and Còisir Ghàidhlig nan Loch in third place with 367 points.

In the Ladies Rural Choirs competition, Còsir Sgìr a’ Bhac took second place with 371 points, while Còisir Ghàidhlig Barraigh and Còisir Ghàidhlig nan Loch took joint third place with 369 points each.

Sir E Scott choir walked away with five awards in the 13-18 competition categories, reflecting the work they put into their Gaelic and musicality.

More winners included Graham Maclennan in accordion, Michael Iain Macmillan from Sgoil Lionacleit in the chanter competitions, Angus MacKinnon from Sgoil Lionacleit for his Poetry Recitation, and again later in the Solo Taditional Mixed Learners (Under 13) competition, Liona NicAonghais from South Uist in the Storytelling Open Mixed (5-8) competition, Zoe Leparous for her solo in the Traditional Mixed Singing Lerners competition (16-18) from Uig, Lewis, Aimee MacLeod from Lewis was named the overall winner in the Solo Singing Open Mixed (Under 19) competition, and many more.

While the usual celebrations carried on throughout the week, the tragic events that took place on Lewis were not be ignored as Mòd organisers encouraged a minute’s silence be held across the competitions at 9am to show a mark of respect for the fishing boat tragedy off the Butt of Lewis.

After a week of Gaelic celebrations and competition, the Glasgow Mòd comes to an end today with the Massed Choirs Procession and Performances – where choirs gather for a mass procession starting from the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, marching down Sauchiehall Street. The singers will then gather outside Edward House to perform a series of unified arrangements of much-loved Gaelic songs. 

To officially close the event, representatives from An Comunn Gàidhealch and the Glasgow local organising committee will officially pass the Mòd host baton to the Western Isles committee, as Stornoway will be the host town for the competition next year from 8 to 16 October.