The new provost of Perth and Kinross, Xander McDade, visited Aberfeldy on Saturday, June 11 to present the trophies to winners at the Perthshire and Angus Provincial Mòd.
Although coronavirus restrictions still impacted the event, with the popular Children’s Mòd held digitally for another year, Breadalbane’s Community Campus was once again filled with the sound of the pipes, fiddles and song.
Provost McDade said: “It is great to see the Aberfeldy Mòd hosting a live event after two years of COVID disruption.
“There is a great atmosphere and real excitement amongst competitors and spectators alike. It’s good to see our Gaelic heritage celebrated at events like the Aberfeldy Mòd. They not only showcase our history and culture but are also important economically.
“Later this year the Royal National Mòd will return to Perth for the first time in 18 years and I am sure the enthusiasm and excitement on display in Aberfeldy will be repeated in Perth in October.”
Four trophies for four-part choral singing were up for grabs and the Janet MacIntyre Memorial Cup for highest music marks went to Guthan Sgìre Pheairt.
Rhona MacMillan, musical director of Cumbernauld Gaelic Choir, was delighted to accept both the Cuach Chlachmhor for highest marks in Gaelic and the Westcroft Trophy for highest marks overall.
The May Mitchell and Frances Matheson Quaich was presented to May Brown, musical director of the Aberfeldy Gaelic Choir, winners of the Puirt-a-beul.
Notable wins in the Junior Piping and Fiddle came from Archie McNab and Lucy Franks, who each won two competitions in their respective classes.
Following the competitions, choristers and musicians gathered in Aberfeldy town square for an impromptu ceilidh, where they entertained locals and visitors with songs and country dancing.
Highland councillor John Duff, who participated in Saturday’s choral competitions with Aberfeldy Gaelic Choir, added: “It’s always great to take part in the Mòd and I am delighted to see such a great turnout.
“There is a real sense of pride in our Gaelic heritage in Perth and Kinross, and particularly in Highland Perthshire, where Gaelic has been taught in schools for many years. The Mòd plays no small part in helping to keep Gaelic’s rich language and culture, our culture, firmly visible.”
John Morrison, former chief executive of An Comunn Gaidhealach, member of the Perthshire and Angus Mòd committee and chair of the choral competitions, concluded: “Next year sees the Centenary of this Mòd. As a small committee, we would welcome any offer of help to ensure that we leave a lasting legacy for the generations to come.
“The Mòd has endured just as our heritage and culture endures and flourishes. It has had to adapt greatly in these unprecedented times and, as we move forward to the next chapter, we are already taking this into account in the planning of our centenary celebrations. We are going to have a ball.”
The National Mòd will take place from October 14 to 22 in 2022. The Centenary Perthshire and Angus Provincial Mòd will take place in Aberfeldy on June 9 and 10 2023.
Full results from the Aberfeldy Mòd will be in Friday’s edition of the PA.
