Top male and female singers, learners in the Silver Pendant and fluent speakers in the Gold Medal, performed to win the sought-after titles on Wednesday.
The Gaelic learner’s equivalent of the Gold Medal, the Silver Pendant, was won by Theresa Irving of Barra, who sings with Barra Gaelic Choir and was competing as a soloist at the Mòd for the first time.
Theresa came first in the Ladies’ qualifiers, held earlier in the day at Paisley’s Methodist Church, where competitors sang ‘Fhir an leadain thlàith’ (‘Lad of beautiful hair’), and a song of their choice reflecting the theme ‘Na Fuadaichean’ (‘The Clearances’).
The Gaelic judge, Rachel McPherson, said: “Well done to all of you. The first song, the prescribed song, you got your tongues around that no problem. The Gaelic overall was excellent.”
Ute MacGregor from Munlochy finished third, and Lynn NicDhòmhnaill from Portnahaven, Islay, came in second.
“My parents were both Gaelic speakers,” Lynn said, as she learns her mother’s and father’s tongue. “There were not the opportunities then as there are now.”
Lynn has published a book ‘Òrain Ìleach: Gaelic song of Islay’, edited by her Gaelic tutor Margaret MacIver, to whom she is “very grateful”. “I would not learn a song inside out if it were not for the Mòd,” she added, explaining it can take “many months to try to get the song into your system”.
But it was a “relieved” Theresa Irving, supported by her husband, two sons Ross and Lewis, mum, mother-in-law and sister, who ferried the Margot Campbell Trophy, Catherine MB Dunlop Quaich, and Silver Pendant back home to Northbay, Barra.
“I am delighted I got through the nerves,” she said. “It is a lot of learning – a lot of learning walking along the beach. My boys probably know the song too.
“I had lots of help from my neighbours and colleagues in work. I have tried to get them all to talk to me in Gaelic. I have sung with the Barra [Gaelic] Choir. This is the first time I have sung solo.”
Nearby in Paisley North Church, another Gaelic learner triumphed against solo singers vying for the Professor John Cameron Memorial Trophy in the CalMac Competition.
“This competition included the best singing I have heard this week,” said judge Kenneth Thomson, conductor of Ceòlraidh Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu (Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association): “It was spectacular.” Those in the pews, he added, were “the lucky ones”.
Tobermory’s Donna Dugdale and Nicola Pearson of Callanish and Oban shared third equal, Robert John MacInnes of Kishorn finished second, but the silver cup was won by Kirsty Nicolson of Lewis.
“I have been singing at the Mòd since I was seven,” said Kirsty, a 19-year-old student nurse from Point. As a pupil at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway at the Inverness Mòd in 2019, she had secured the Provost of Falkirk Medal. “I am still hoping to progress,” she said.
“I feel delighted because I have not been well for weeks. I did not know if I would be able to compete. It was within the last week I thought I was able to do it. I hope to perform in the Oban Mòd.”
Kirsty’s proud dad, Neil Nicolson, was “very happy”, because “the run-up was quite traumatic” due to her illness, and he had worked for 42 years for CalMac. “This was a nice surprise,” he said: “It is not a fix!”
The trophy was presented by CalMac marketing manager Ciara McArdle and social media manager Kiera McCabe.
The Hebridean ferry operator said: “Caledonian MacBrayne is proud to have sponsored the Royal National Mòd 2023, a remarkable celebration of Gaelic heritage and culture. The talent at the festival this year has been outstanding and we extend our congratulations to all the competitors and winners.”