The Royal National Mòd 2023 got well under way on Saturday, with the announcements of the Gaelic Learner of the Year, Friends of the Mòd, the Highland Art Prize shortlist and a concert of local talent in Paisley Town Hall called Ar Cànan ‘s Ar Ceòl (Our Language Our Music).
This year’s Gaelic Learner of the Year, selected by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on Skye, was awarded to Louise Brown. Originally from Falkirk, Louise did not have the chance to learn Gaelic when she was young and, despite moving to the United States as a teenager, her interest in Gaelic remained. She returned to Scotland in 2021 and finally enrolled to study the language at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.
After completing the supported distance learning course online, she enrolled in Cursà Comais, an intensive and interactive Gaelic language course for intermediate-level learners aiming for fluency in the language. Louise is now in her second year of distance learning and having excelled in her learning, she has hopes of becoming a Gaelic teacher.
Louise said: “It’s really an honour to receive this award. I’m very grateful to the teachers and other students at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig who are always so encouraging and willing to help. I’m especially grateful to the Student Services office because without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to do the Gaelic immersion course last year.”
A new award for last year, Friends of the Mòd returns for 2023 to recognise the contribution so many have made, and continue to make, to champion the spirit of Gaelic. The next four recipients to enter a Caraid a’ Mhòid Hall of Fame for their contribution to the community, music and language are Newtonmore Gael Sheila Mackay, Hebridean teacher Mairead Nicolson, Mòd Aberfeldy’s Mary Lorne and awarded posthumously, the much-loved Isle of Skye Gael John Robertson.
Born on Harris, Sheila Mackay established a Gaelic nursery in Newtonmore which paved the way for the first Gaelic medium primary school in the area. She has taught Gaelic song for more than four decades and has been involved with the Badenoch Waulking Group, renowned for its involvement in Outlander, since its inception in 1994.
Mairead Nicolson was head teacher of Staffin and Cille Mhoire primary schools, two communities rich with culture and spoken Gaelic. Since 1997, she has supported the local Mòd committee and has played a crucial role in supporting others’ journey to the National Mòd every year.
Broughty Ferry resident Mary Lorne, who was born on the Isle of Harris, has supported Mòd Aberfeldy for more than five decades and sings with Dundee Gaelic Choir.
John Robertson’s passion for his island heritage, forged in his formative years, was epitomised by his matchless enthusiasm for traditional Gaelic music. John loved the Royal National Mòd, attending every October, and was a great friend and supporter of many of Scotland’s most celebrated traditional bands.
The shortlist for the Highland Art Prize includes 12 artworks selected by Ishbel Murray, the artist and art teacher based on the Isle of Lewis.
They are ‘Crofts at South Dell’ by David Greenall of An Lanntair; ‘Digging For Bait (Thurso Beach)’ by Jackie Newton from the Society of Caithness Artists; ‘571186 degrees Wind Drawing’ by Bronwyn Mackenzie from An Lanntair; ‘Flying to Bass’ by Kittie Jones of An Talla Solais; ‘Lady Of The Flowers’ by Leah Davis from the Society of Caithness Artists and ‘Locheport, North Uist’ by Margaret Fenton from Uist Arts Association.
They are joined by ‘Napoleon Bay, Shieldaig’ by Sheila Garden from Perthshire Art Association; ‘North Beach, Iona’ by Robert Kelsey from Paisley Art Institute; ‘North Uist Beach’ by Alan B Hayman of Resipole Studios; ‘Ruthven Barracks’ by Bob Kinnaird from the Society of Badenoch and Strathspey Artists; ‘Summer Oaks – Ardnamurchan’ by Liz Green from the Art Society of Inverness, and ‘The Ouse, Westray, Orkney’ by Amy Marshall from Resipole Studios. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at The Briggait in Glasgow on Friday October 20 at 12.30pm.
Continuing the Celtic cultural celebrations, Paisley Town Hall hosted Our Language, Our Music on Saturday evening – a special show focusing on the thriving traditional music scene of the local area.
A number of celebrated musicians hailing from Renfrewshire put on a show, with young musicians from Fèis Phàislig and the Renfrewshire Schools Pipe Band taking to the stage. Glasgow Gaelic Association featured alongside some of Scotland’s finest Gaelic singers including Ainsley Hamill and Joy Dunlop. There were also performances from Kilbarchan Pipe Band, as well as the talented Shetland musical duo of fiddle player Jenna Reid and pianist Harris Playfair.
The music continued into the night with lively Glasgow act The Canny Band getting Paisley audiences on their feet at The Sneddon as part of the Mòd Festival Club, while The Old Swan Inn played host to Stornoway’s Graham McLennan Trio for a Late and Live session.
Sunday saw a Gaelic Nature Walk at Paisley’s oldest public gardens and the annual Mòd Church Service in Paisley Abbey. A calming and reflective event, the service was broadcast live around the country on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.
James Graham, chief executive officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “It’s been a fantastic opening weekend to the Paisley Mòd as we bring Gaels from across Scotland together and share our language, music and culture with old and new faces and the people of Paisley and Renfrewshire.
“We’ve seen local musical talent shine with our Our Language Our Music concert and can now look forward to a day of reflection, before we head into six more days of competition, performances, sessions, workshops, talks and more.
“The people of Paisley have been so welcoming and it’s fantastic to bring the Mòd back here after 10 years – the atmosphere is just great.”