(Image: Martini Archive)
The biggest week of the year for Gaelic language, music and culture is now under way in Glasgow, bringing a flurry of festivities and visitors with it.
A mainstay of the Gàidhealtachd’s social calendar since 1892, the Royal National Mòd runs from October 9-17, with an exciting programme of events and activities.
Highland dancing at the Royal National Mòd (Image: Peter Sandground)
Here’s our top 10 events to explore:
Trad music royalty perform at Gael Force 10
There’s a chance to see some huge trad music stars at this year’s festival and none more so than this year’s finale, Gael Force 10. Forces of nature from across Scotland’s Gaelic and traditional music world are set to take over the Barrowland Ballroom on Friday, October 16.
Karen Matheson is among the Trad stars performing. (Image: Martini Archive)
Among those taking part are; Capercaille’s Donald Shaw and Karen Matheson, Skipinnish’s Angus MacPhail, Andrew Stevenson and Archie McAllister, Skerryvore’s Daniel and Martin Gillespie, Trail West’s Ian Smith, Mànran’s Gary Innes, Kim Carnie and Ewen Henderson, double Mòd gold medallist and fan favourite Ruairidh Gray, acclaimed fiddle player Marie Fielding, Gaelic band DLÙ, and Eadarainn – a Gaelic - South Asian collaboration by Glasgow Mela.
Choirs’ voices soar together on Sauchiehall Street
A truly memorable moment from across the week will be the breath-taking Massed Choirs event on Saturday October 17 as hundreds of Gaelic choral singers take part in a procession from the Concert Hall up Sauchiehall Street and gather outside Edward House to perform spine-tingling arrangements of much-loved Gaelic songs en masse. Simply turn up and enjoy the spectacle.
Island voices unite in An Drochaid
All seven of Glasgow’s Island Associations are set to join forces at this year’s Mòd for a very special concert at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, brought together by singer, broadcaster and Glasgow Gael Mary Ann Kennedy and Mòd Convenor, D-I Brown.
An Drochaid (The Bridge), on October 13, will be a landmark gathering of island talent from across Glasgow’s Gaelic diaspora.
Former Gold medalist Mary Ann Kennedy (Image: Martini archive)
Mary Ann, who was brought up in a family from Skye and Tiree, will lead a who’s who of performers connected to each island including; Emma and Claire MacLeod from Scalpay, Iain “Costello” MacIver from Lewis, Alastair Whyte from Mull, Maeve MacKinnon from Barra, Margaret Callan from Uist, Seona Brown from Tiree, Darren MacLean from Skye, and Maebh and Frankie Macdonald from Islay.
Vocalists going for gold
If you want to see the best of the best when it comes to Gaelic song, the Gold Medal Final (October 14) and the Traditional Gold Medal Final (October 15) both at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, are the events to see.
Arthur Cormack (Image: Martini archive)
Every year, the cream of the crop of Gaelic singers compete for the prestigious prizes, following in the footsteps of Gaelic superstars like Kenna Campbell, Arthur Cormack, Tide Lines’ Robert Robertson, Sian’s Eilidh Cormack and many more.
Soak up the atmosphere at the heart of the Mòd
The Royal National Mòd is taking over the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall across the nine days and the venue’s Exhibition Hall will be at the heart of the action, transformed into the Taigh Cèilidh (Cèilidh House).
Expect a bustling hub of music, dance and chatter where you can grab a drink and settle in for singalongs, socialising and more.
Raise a toast to a trad music session
On Thursday, October 15, Nice n Sleazys will have their regular trad session running upstairs, and a special dance night, Gluais, downstairs with Glasgow’s finest Gaelic DJs playing everything from house and hip-hop to alt-folk and techno.
Nice n Sleazy, on Sauchiehall Street, is hosting a special event. (Image: NEWSQUEST MEDIA GROUP)
For younger audiences, Fèis Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu will be running traditional music youth sessions across the week. Visitors can join in with their instrument or voice, or simply listen.
Take the kids to a cèilidh
If you want to get all the family involved in the festivities, head to the family cèilidh at the Royal Concert Hall on Tuesday 13 October, with attendees of all ages encouraged to embrace the spirit of the Mòd by taking to the floor and dancing to the likes of Passing Place.
Enjoy some Scottish art
Art is one of the newer cultural experiences to have joined the Mòd line up in recent years thanks to the Highland Art Prize.
More than 70 pieces from artists inspired by the culture and landscape of the Gaeldom will be on display at the Briggait, before a worthy winner is chosen at a special prizegiving on Friday, October 16.
The Briggait in Glasgow (Image: Newsquest)
Other exhibitions include Ùr Bhon a Chlò! Hot off the Press! at Edward House.
Artist Ann NicLeoid reimagines stories from the social archives to celebrate 40 years of Gaelic Medium Education in Glasgow in this vibrant installation.
Ceòl is Craic Guth a' Bhaile
Presented by Ceòl is Craic in partnership with GUIR, this special concert, on October 15, celebrates contemporary Gaelic songwriting and emerging talent.
Màiri MacMillan and Josie Duncan perform original songs inspired by the lived experience of Gaels in the city today, joined by acclaimed Haitian composer and multi-instrumentalist Germa Adan.
Pupils from Glasgow Gaelic School will perform (Image: Newsquest)
The evening opens with a performance by young musicians from Glasgow Gaelic School, specially prepared through a Ceòl is Craic mentoring programme led by Zach Ronan (Dlù).
Come into Edward House (October 13, 14, 15) and take a breather to experience some of the best food Glasgow has to offer and enjoy two hours of live music with new compositions by Laura Jane Wilkie. Kathleen MacDonald and Lisa Robertson.
For more information about events and to buy tickets visit www.ancomunn.co.uk.