THE Royal National Mod has unveiled its programme for 2022, with an array of events celebrating Gaelic culture and music set to return to Perth for the first time in 18 years this October.
The eight-day fringe event – which takes place in a different Scottish city each year – will include wide variety of shows, concerts, ceilidhs and exhibitions for audiences to enjoy.
The Royal National Mod is one of the largest celebrations of Gaelic culture on the Scottish calendar, and this year it will celebrate 130 years since the first ever event in Oban in 1892.
Around 1000 musicians and participants will fill venues all across Perth from October 14-22 this year.
The opening concert will see singers Mairi MacInnes, Arthur Cormack, Ceitlin Lilidh and Darren MacLean take to the stage alongside a band led by Gary Innes and Ewen Henderson – of Mànran fame.
The programme will see the diverse range of performances accompanied by a number of in-person competitions, some online competitions and even some brand new competition categories.
Competition categories include singing, bàrdachd, instrumental, drama and Highland dancing, while new elements include an accompanied choirs’ competition aimed at harmony singing groups of between five and ten singers and a new solo singing contest, The CalMac Competition, which is open to adult learners.
Another new competition for Perth Mod 2022 is the Cogadh nan Còmhlain (Battle of the Bands), with two junior events – under 13s and under 19s – giving young people the opportunity to perform live on stage and the chance to win a recording session experience with Wee Studio in Stornoway.
James Graham, chief executive of the Royal National Mod, said: “It will be so special to hear and see the best that Gaelic culture has to offer during this year’s event and to welcome people from Perth, the rest of Scotland and indeed the world, to the city to enjoy Gaelic music and culture across Perth’s unique and special venues.”
Shona MacLennan, chief executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “The Mod is always a huge celebration of Gaelic language and culture, providing opportunities to use the language in a wide range of events.”
For more information on the Royal National Mod, visit ancomunn.co.uk.
Tickets will be available to buy from Horsecross Arts box office from mid-late August at horsecross.co.uk.
Entries for Mod competitions must be submitted by Friday.
