image of the headquarters of An Comunn Gaidhealach, the parent body of The Mòd, is based in Inverness

An Comunn Gaidhealach, the parent body of The Mòd, is based in Inverness

Hear the word ‘Mod’ in general conversation and you may be forgiven for distant memories of parkas, scooters, and thin leather neckties. But to many, if not most Scots, ‘The Mòd’ signifies something very different, and is nothing less than one of Scotland’s greatest expressions of its Gaelic culture.

In its original meaning, the Gaelic word mòd refers to any kind of gathering or assembly. But in contemporary Scottish understanding, the Mòd is an annual festival of Scottish Gaelic song, arts, and culture that is held in a different Scottish location every October. This year, Inverness plays host to the Royal National Mòd. This event draws visitors not only from all over Scotland and the UK, but attracts tourists and competitors from across the globe. For the Mòd is not only a celebration of the most traditional aspects of Gaelic culture, but a (sometimes fierce) competition between some of the most talented musicians and Gaelic singers you are likely to witness.

an image of choir from the Stirling Mod performing in Stirling City Centre

A choir from the Stirling Mòd perform in Stirling City Centre

Perhaps most significantly for the health and longevity of the Gaelic language and its culture, the Mòd isn’t confined to one event in the annual calendar. Local or ‘provincial’ Mòds are held throughout the year in towns and cities across Scotland, providing the heats which feed into the final competitions of the National Mòd. This year, the Stirling Mòd (or Mòd Shruighlea, in Gaelic) is held on 16 and 17 May, slap bang in perhaps Scotland’s sunniest month – the weather always seems to be at its very best in full spring. Lined up for this busy weekend are piping and fiddle competitions, as well as recitation, solo and duet singing, and choral singing contests – all in Gaelic. Children and adults alike take part, and the festival concludes in a ceilidh where the tension of competition is forgotten and both entrants and organisers let off steam in a traditional night of music and dancing. We spoke to Kirsty Galloway, Entries Secretary for the Stirling Mòd, to learn more.

‘In addition to the long established Coisir Og Shruighlea (Stirling Junior Gaelic Choir) Stirling’s Gaelic school Riverside Primary provides many entrants, but we are also starting to see entries from other local schools as interest in Gaelic grows throughout Scotland.’ The competitions are well subscribed – the piping competition alone will attract around 70 junior entrants, for example. But is the Mòd an exclusive club where only Gaelic speakers are accepted? Far from it, it turns out: ‘Take the choir,’ explains Kirsty, ‘perhaps only half of the choral singers are able to speak Gaelic.’ She classes herself as a non-speaker too. However, once people start to get involved, it’s clear that many find the lure of the language irresistible and start to learn it for themselves: ‘The whole point of the Mòd is to promote the Gaelic language by encouraging people to take part,’ Kirsty explains.

Image of a foot tapping to the music at a Scottish ceilidh

The Mod Ceilidh dance is an ideal introduction to Gaelic culture for tourists

So, how do visitors, tourists, and those new to the Mòd get a flavour of this annual festival of Gaelic culture? ‘Turning up at the Stirling Mòd without knowing Gaelic might be a bit confusing!’ says Kirsty. ‘Perhaps the best idea is to come to our closing ceilidh, join in the dances, and hear the best competitors deliver their winning performances again. It’s inclusive and child friendly too – that would be a good introduction!’

Good luck to all the organisers and competitors this year. And if you want to take Kirsty’s suggestion and see what it’s all about, the Stirling Mòd Ceilidh takes place at 7.30 on Saturday 17 May at the Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling. Tickets will be available at the door. Enjoy!

For more information, see: https://www.facebook.com/modshruighlea Or follow the Stirling Mòd on Twitter at: @ModShruighlea

Photos: An Comunn Gaidhealach The Royal National Mod sign and hanging basket outside the offices in Church Street, Inverness: Colin Smith [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Other photos by kind permission of https://www.facebook.com/modshruighlea