Programme of events
The historic event was first held in Oban in 1892, some 132 years ago and last returned in 2015. This will be its seventeenth outing in the town and one to remember.
Article published 11/10/2024
Oban welcomes the long-awaited return of the Royal National Mòd, the premier Gaelic cultural spectacle. Each year it is held in a different Scottish town. This year it will be the biggest edition of the event in five years and a return to its spiritual birthplace.
The prestigious event will celebrate all things Gaelic language, culture, and music in the streets and venues around the Argyll town between Friday 11 and Saturday 19 October.
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Around 10,000 competitors, performers, and visitors are estimated to attend over the coming nine days to soak up a packed programme of:
- torchlight procession
- concerts
- competitions
- exhibitions
- sessions
- sport
- Gaelic Ambassador of the Year awards
Royal National Mòd in Oban. Credit: Elaine Livingstone
A dazzling torchlit procession will tour through the streets of Oban, led by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, members of An Comunn Gàidhealach, and the local organising committee, will get things formally underway this evening, Friday 11 October.
History-making Scottish music outfit Mànran will also take to the stage in front of a packed Corran Halls crowd on Friday 11 October.
The night of Saturday 12 October will see Argyll talent of all ages shine for the Ar Cànan ’s Ar Ceòl (Our Language Our Music) concert.
The town itself has also rolled out the red carpet, with dozens of local businesses in and around Oban taking part in a window dressing competition. This will bring their premises to life with the look and feel of the Mòd in a display of welcoming warmth.
In addition to the host of in-person events held across the week, a clutch of events will be livestreamed to Gaelic-speakers around the world including:
- Mànran gig on Friday 11 October.
- the Ar Cànan ’s Ar Ceòl (Our Language Our Music) concert on Saturday 12 October
- the Cogadh nan Còmhlan (Battle of the Bands) finals on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 October
Highlights of flagship competitions will also be broadcast from Monday to Friday next week on BBC ALBA.
Find out more on ancomunn.co.ukGaelic Ambassador of the Year awards
The opening day of the Mòd is also marked with the unveiling of this year’s Gaelic Ambassador of the Year. This is a Scottish Government honour, presented to outstanding Gaelic-speaker who have dedicated their lives to championing the language.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will present this year’s honour to two individuals originally from the Isle of Lewis; educator and development expert Margaret MacIver, and posthumously to Gaelic activist Finlay MacLeod.
I consider this award a huge honour and I am greatly indebted to An Comunn Gàidhealach for considering me a suitable recipient of this year's title of Gaelic Ambassador.
It is indeed a most humbling experience for me.
I am proud to accept this posthumous award on behalf of my late brother Finlay.
It recognises his lifelong work to help ensure the survival of the Gaelic language.
Finlay would be delighted, as I am, to know that the award is shared with our cousin Mairead.
What a feeling to be back in Oban for this milestone Mòd as we welcome thousands of Gaels and Gaelic supporters to the town to honour our language and culture.
As a proud speaker of the language, it is an honour to see Gaelic champions recognised with the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Ambassador of the Year award.
We have provided Gaelic initiatives like the Mòd with more than £120 million since 2021.
To build on this support, we are progressing the Scottish Languages Bill which aims to strengthen Gaelic education and make Gaelic an official language of Scotland.
Ceud mìle fàilte. The Mòd plays a valuable cultural and economic role in Argyll and Bute, past, present, and future.
We are proud to support the Royal National Mòd through EventScotland’s International Events Funding Programme.
The Royal National Mòd is an incredibly important and unique celebration of Gaelic language, culture, and music.
It is always important to celebrate the work of people who have made significant contributions to Gaelic across our communities, and Margaret MacIver and Finlay MacLeod both deserve the recognition of being named Gaelic Ambassadors.
This year’s Royal National Mòd in Oban is supported by:
- EventScotland
- Bòrd na Gàidhlig
- Argyll and Bute Council
- Scottish Government
- Caledonian MacBrayne
- BBC ALBA
- Creative Scotland
- Scottish Qualifications Authority