INVERNESS MOD: Broadcaster Cathy MacDonald announced as host of the Royal National Mod coverage on BBC ALBA, from the Highland capital each day
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Coverage of the Royal National Mod, Scotland’s premiere Gaelic music and arts celebration, will be shown on BBC ALBA over this coming week.
Cathy MacDonald will be hosting BBC ALBA’s coverage, from the children’s Mod at the start of the week, to the coveted gold medal competitions and culminating in a celebration of Gaelic choirs.
BBC Radio nan Gàidheal will also join with An Comunn Gàidhealach to broadcast the traditional Gaelic service of worship from Inverness’ Old High Church from 3pm on Sunday October 10, the opening weekend of the festival.
From 9pm on Monday and Tuesday (October 11 and 12), BBC ALBA and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal will be bringing highlights from the children’s mod competitions, with special guests Fiona Dunn and Alasdair Whyte joining Cathy to look back on some of the successful young singers from previous Mods.
From 11am on Wednesday (October 13), qualifying rounds of the Gold Medal competition will be broadcast on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal, live from Eden Court, and again on Thursday for the Traditional Gold Medal qualifying competition.
Wednesday night’s coverage of the coveted Gold Medal competition at 7.30pm will feature two previous winners, Ruairidh Alastair Maclennan and Anne Lorne Gillies, to offer analysis of the performances.
The choirs take centre stage on Thursday (October 14) with Cuirm nan Còisir from 2pm, which will be simulcast on BBC ALBA and Radio nan Gàidheal, before a feast of solo singing from the Traditional Gold Medal competition at 7.30pm, where Cathy will be joined by Gaelic singer Mairi MacInnes and broadcaster Tony Kearney.
As always, Mod Friday (October 15) promises to be a big day for the Gaelic choirs with another instalment of Cuirm nan Còisir at 2pm before the week culminates with Cathy MacDonald and special guests in Mòd 2021 from 9pm.
In addition to BBC ALBA’s coverage, Mòd 2021 will be featured on BBC Radio nan Gàidheal throughout Mod week, and BBC Naidheachdan will offer unrivalled coverage of the latest updates from the festival.
Margaret Mary Murray, head of BBC Gaelic Services said: “The Royal National Mod is a real highlight in our broadcasting calendar and it is a particular joy to be bringing the excitement and celebration of a week which has such significance to Gaelic communities to our viewers and listeners this year.
"We hope that BBC ALBA, BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and BBC Naidheachdan’s Mòd 2021 coverage will be the focus for audiences far and wide, as we are finally able to enjoy the magic and drama of live events.”
Each program will be available on the BBC iPlayer for 30 days after broadcast, and radio programmes will be available on BBC Sounds – visit: bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0084v85 for more information.
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