A dream came true for a Gaelic singer on Thursday, when she won the award she always wanted to win, The Oban Times Gold Medal, one of the most valuable prizes at the Mòd.
With many rural choirs and soloists competing across town, the prestigious gold medal would go home with one of two Gaelic singers: Carol NicIllEathain from Tobermory, Mull, or Julie-Anne MacFadyen, originally from Dalintart, Oban.
Contestants are asked to sing a piece by a Lorn bard, this year a praise song for Lismore titled ‘Mo shoraidh don eilean’. “I do not think we could have heard two better versions of the song,” ruled one judge Kristine Kennedy.
Both secured high scores, but Julie-Anne’s was the higher. “It is the best thing ever,” said Julie-Anne. “It is such an honour to win The Oban Times Gold Medal.
“The Oban Times is such a support,” added Julie-Anne, who now lives in Edinburgh working for the Scottish Government. “Being The Oban Times Gold Medal, being from Oban, it was the one we looked at and aspired to. It’s a good start for next year in Oban!”
Her “elated” parents, James and Dawn Buchanan, were in the audience too. “That was the one she always wanted to win,” James said. “Kristine Kennedy said it was phenomenal.”
Julie-Anne, who competed in her first Mòd aged 10, is no stranger to awards, having won the James C MacPhee Memorial Medal, and, just the day before, finishing third in the Ladies Gold Medal final.
She began singing in Rockfield Primary School Gaelic Choir, before continuing her Gaelic studies through Oban High School, university, and the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, on Skye. She now sings in Lothian Gaelic Choir, and thanked the Gaelic tutors who helped her on her journey, Mary Catherine MacNeil and Rona Wilkie.
“She has worked up over the last few years to be fluent,” said her husband Allan, who grew up in Connel. “It is terrifying for all of us. We try not to breathe while she is singing. I am delighted. She has worked so hard. She has always wanted to win this medal because it has the Oban connection. She will wear it on stage.”
Carol, before her Mull waulking group’s thumping victory on Friday, said: “I am really happy Julie-Anne has won. She is such a great singer.”
Carol, a member of Còisir Ghàidhlig an Eilean Mhuilich (Mull Gaelic Choir), came third in the solo singing for Mull and Iona songs at Paisley North Church on Wednesday, winning a Mull & Iona Association Prize.
The prescribed song, ‘Gur fad ’am thàmh mi gu tostach sàmhach’ (‘Long have I remained silent’), was composed by Dòmhnall Eachainn (Donald MacGillivray) from Mull, about the clearance of Glen Forsa.
Carol, who won that contest in 2015, said: “It is a really good competition. Really good songs. There are lots of them. When I saw the song, I thought I have to challenge myself to learn it. Because I live in Tobermory, I thought I would give it another go!”
The classroom assistant at Salen Primary School had won the Ladies’ Gold Medal for fluent Gaelic speakers at the Stornoway Mòd in 2016. This year she triumphed as part of the new Mull Waulking Group, Cuigeal, which won the Harris Tweed Authority Trophy at their first attempt.