Record entries expected for Gaelic celebration at Glasgow Mòd

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 13:25 · Archive

The Royal National Mòd, Scotland's annual Gaelic festival, is returning to Glasgow with record entries of more than 2,000 competitors.

The Royal National Mòd, Scotland's annual celebration of Gaelic culture, returns to Glasgow this week with more than 2,000 registered entries—the highest total on record. The nine-day festival, running until 17 October, will feature some 200 official competitions and nearly 300 events across 16 venues including the National Piping Centre, Royal Concert Hall and Barrowland Ballroom. Competitions cover bagpiping, Highland dancing, Gaelic literature and other disciplines, with participants ranging in age from four to 80. Alongside official contests, more than 80 fringe events are running, offering educational sessions, ceilidhs and musical performances, including a pop-up concert at Glasgow Central Station and a DJ night at live-music venue Nice 'N' Sleazy.

Maggie Cunningham, chairwoman of An Comunn Gàidhealach, the organisation that organises the Mòd, said the event would be a place for young and old to come together to socialise, compete and celebrate. About 10,000 people attended the previous competition in Fort William, with a similar number expected in Glasgow this year. This marks Glasgow's 13th time hosting the event, the last occasion being in 2019. The festival coincides with the 40th anniversary of Scotland's first Gaelic-medium education unit, which opened in Glasgow in 1985.

The National reports that the celebrations come amid renewed calls from the SNP for the BBC to increase investment in Gaelic broadcasting, with the party accusing the corporation of 'short-changing' Scottish culture.

How it is being reported

• BBC underinvestment in Gaelic criticised as thousands descend on Glasgow for MòdGLASGOW is set to become the “City of the Gaels” as the Royal National Mòd gets underway, with record numbers taking part in the world's largest celebration of Scottish Gaelic culture.The National · 9 Oct, 12:49
• 'Record-breaking' Mòd returns to Glasgow for Gaelic celebrationThousands of people will gather this week in Glasgow for the annual celebration of Gaelic cultureBBC Scotland · 8 Oct, 23:08

In this story: Glasgow · Scotland · An Comunn Gàidhealach · Royal National Mòd · Maggie Cunningham · BBC · SNP

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem