A HISTORIC Gaelic festival has kicked off for another year, as around 10,000 people are expected to flock to Oban.
The Royal National Mòd began on Thursday and is held in a different Scottish town each year — although it first began in Oban 132 years ago in 1892.
The prestigious event will celebrate all things Gaelic language, culture and music in the streets and venues around the Argyll town until October 19.
A torchlit procession through the streets of Oban led by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, members of An Comunn Gàidhealach and the local organising committee will get things formally underway on Friday evening, before Mànran take to the stage in Corran Halls.
Saturday night will see Argyll talent of all ages perform in Ar Cànan’s Ar Ceòl (Our Language Our Music) concert.
The town itself is also taking part, with dozens of local businesses in and around Oban participating in a window dressing competition, bringing their premises to life with the look and feel of the Mòd.
The opening day of the Mòd is also marked with the unveiling of this year’s Gaelic Ambassador of the Year — a Scottish Government honour presented to outstanding Gael who have dedicated their lives to championing the language.
Forbes (below) will present this year’s honour to two individuals originally from the Isle of Lewis — educator and development expert Margaret MacIver and posthumously to Gaelic activist Finlay MacLeod.
MacIver has been teaching Gaelic for 15 years in secondary schools in Beauly, Inverness, Glasgow and Oban before moving into Gaelic Development.
She was instrumental in the growth of Gaelic Medium Education, including setting up a Gaelic Education Action Group, teacher recruitment campaigns and overseeing the first ever national survey ever on the needs of Gaelic learners.
MacLeod spent his life campaigning for the Gaelic language and the introduction of the language at pre-school age, opening his first Gaelic pre-school in Oban in 1981.
He travelled extensively throughout the country, lobbying politicians and parents before setting up his own Moray Language Centre, based in Banffshire, where he wrote and developed courses for pre-school, early primary children and parents.
Forbes — who is also Gaelic Secretary — said: “It is fitting to see the Mòd return home to Oban as we mark an increase in Gaelic speakers for the first time in nearly 50 years.
“As a proud speaker of the language, it is an honour to see Gaelic champions recognised with the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Ambassador of the Year award.
“We have provided Gaelic initiatives like the Mòd with more than £120 million since 2021. To build on this support, we are progressing the Scottish Languages Bill which aims to strengthen Gaelic education and make Gaelic an official language of Scotland.”
James Graham, CEO of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “What a feeling to be back in Oban for this milestone Mòd as we welcome thousands of Gaels and Gaelic supporters to the town to honour our language and culture.
“The Gaelic language continues to have an irreplaceable place in daily Scottish life and over the next nine days we will see that strengthened and celebrated.
“The next nine days will be a real demonstration of how the language is thriving, underpinned by incredible cultural output and a strong sense of community.”
In addition to the host of in-person events held across the week, some events will also be livestreamed to Gaels around the world.
Highlights of flagship competitions will also be broadcast from Monday to Friday next week on BBC ALBA.
Tickets for some events at the Royal National Mòd are available here.
For more information, visit ancomunn.co.uk.
