Caithness and Sutherland Provincial Mòd - "Continuing the Legacy"

30th May 2012

Provincial Mòd organisers are hoping that the local Mòd to be held in Wick this coming Saturday 2nd June 2012 will add to the legacy created when the county hosted the National Mòd in October 2010.

There is a cautious increase in adult solo entries with a noted addition of Nairn Gaelic Choir visiting the county for the first time at any of the local Mòd locations in previous years.

Branch Chairman, Raymond Bremner, said "We are fortunate that we have all competitions held on the same day - both junior and senior. This allows us the opportunity for the older folks to encourage the young folks to keep going with performance and music, after all, it is very much part of our national and cultural heritage."

Following the National Mòd held in Caithness for the very first time in 2010, Fèis Ghallaibh (the Caithness Fèis) has continued to provide an opportunity for young people to learn to play instruments and sing, not only to compete at the local and national Mòds, but also for pleasure and in a non competitive role.

Fèis Ghallaibh began in 2007 as a project supported by the local branch of An Comunn Gàidhealach, which this year is organising the local Mòd, with workshops held in local schools led by Fèis members. Among the aims of the project was an aim to provide young people with the opportunity to take part in the local and national Mòds. The project was very successful and Fèis Ghallaibh is now an organisation in its own right with considerable
success over the past few years - many of its members having won competitions at both local and national level. The support of the Fèis both in Caithness and Sutherland, continues to be recognised at the local Mòd with a number of entries received year-on-year over the past few years including this year where the Fèis Ghallaibh Junior Choir will be
performing during the days events.

The Caithness and Sutherland Provincial Mòd is the only local Mòd that emulates the National Mòd by hosting the event in a different location within the area each year. It has been agreed by the joint local committees throughout the area for Caithness to be given the opportunity to host the Provincial Mòd every second year. As a result of the Provincial
Mòd being hosted in Wick, it is hoped that many others in the county will be encouraged to become interested and look to host it in their area in the future.

In seeking to assist in finding accommodation it has come to the attention of the local committee that there are groups within the town who are here to visit the Provincial Mòd out of interest and not necessarily on a competitive basis.

Raymond Bremner said "We are particularly encouraged to find that people who regularly attend the National Mòd are going to be back in the area as a result of the Provincial Mòd being hosted and who may not otherwise have visited the county at this time, especially given the fact that it is also a holiday weekend for the Jubilee celebrations - perhaps they have
considered that Wick is a great place to be either to celebrate it at the Provincial Mòd, or get away from it at the Provincial Mòd!"

Amongst the other choirs taking part during the day's festivities will be Lairg and Melvich Gaelic Choirs - who regularly compete at the National Mòd. Junior and Adult entries have been received from all over the north of Scotland.

Newly elected local Highland Councillor Alex MacLeod, member for Caithness Landward, who is a fluent Gaelic speaker, said "The Mòd is a great opportunity for people to come together from across the county to celebrate one of the many cultures alive and kicking in Caithness. The Mòd brings with it huge, local economic benefits and I hope that everyone in the Wick
and surrounding area gets involved. As a former Mòd competitor myself I would like to take this opportunity to wish this years local Mòd competitors all the very best."

Events start with the pre-Mòd Traditional Ceilidh being hosted in the Old Smiddy Inn in Thrumster on Friday 1st June, starting at 9pm.

Events on the main day of competition, Saturday 2nd June, start at 9am in the Assembly Rooms and 9.30am in the Pipe Band hall. Choir competitions start in the Assembly Rooms at 1.30pm. The day culminates in a Gala Concert and Ceilidh Dance starting at 7.30pm prompt in the Assembly Rooms with the Iain Angus MacLeod Ceilidh band and an array of prize winners from the days competitions as well as guest artiste for the evening, former
National Mòd Gold Medallist Alasdair Whyte. Host for the evening is Murdo Morrison who formerly worked as Mòd Marketing Manager and the local committee are delighted that Viscountess Margaret Thurso will be attending to present the awards at the aggregate and main prize awards ceremony.

It is also hoped that the main event will welcome the arrival of the LEJOG Lands End to John O'Groats team, who started their journey from Lands End on Monday 28th May and intend to be in John O' Groats on the evening of the Provincial Mòd day, completing their cycle in 6 days! The team are raising funds for the Forget Me Not Childrens Hospice and after departing the main Provincial Mòd venue, will be looking to complete the final 17 miles and
return to celebrate at the ceilidh later in the evening!