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Young Gaels take centre stage as Royal National Mòd celebrates talent, culture and community
Young performers, learners and musicians shine as Royal National Mòd celebrates the future of Gaelic culture
Hundreds of young people from across Scotland have been showcasing their Gaelic language skills, musical talents and creativity at the Royal National Mòd in Glasgow, as the festival’s junior competitions and fringe events continue to attract strong participation and enthusiastic audiences.
The week has highlighted the growing strength of Gaelic learning and cultural engagement among young people, with competitions spanning singing, storytelling, poetry, creative writing, art and filmmaking. More than 1,100 competitors were expected to take part in one day of junior and fluent competitions alone, reflecting rising participation in Gaelic cultural activities.
Among the standout successes, young learners impressed judges across a range of singing competitions. Libby Bezuidenhout, from Oban, secured the prestigious James C. MacPhee Memorial Medal in the Solo Singing Learners Girls 13-15 competition and collected additional awards for excellence in both music and Gaelic. Elsewhere, competitors from Lewis, Barra and other communities demonstrated the depth of emerging Gaelic talent.
The choral competitions also showcased impressive performances, with young singers from Mull enjoying multiple successes and Falkirk Gaelic Junior Choir achieving a clean sweep across several under-19 categories, taking home eight trophies in total.
Beyond the competition stage, the Mòd Fringe programme has provided families and young people with opportunities to engage in Gaelic culture through storytelling sessions, music workshops, crafts, career events and community activities. Events such as Gaelic Bookbug, youth music sessions and media workshops have helped create welcoming entry points for new learners while supporting those already involved in the language.
The festival’s opening weekend also offered a diverse programme celebrating Gaelic culture in all its forms. Traditional piping competitions attracted strong interest, while shinty tournaments and football events added a sporting dimension to the celebrations. Visitors were also able to explore the Highland Art Prize exhibition and enjoy a range of performances and cultural gatherings across the city.
Speaking during the festival, Peigi MacLennan, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said it was inspiring to see young people embracing Gaelic language and culture and encouraged visitors to experience the many opportunities available through both the competitions and fringe programme.
Running until 17 October, the Royal National Mòd continues to bring together communities from across Scotland, celebrating Gaelic language, heritage and tradition while creating opportunities for the next generation of speakers, performers and cultural leaders to shine.
Keep up to date with all the news from the Mòd in Glasgow here.
Main image credit: The Royal National Mòd®
