INVERNESS MOD: What's on today at the Royal National Mod? Shinty, football and Eden Court is hosting Our Language, Our Music concert with fiddler player Duncan Chisholm, award-winning multi-instrumentalist Mairearad Green, Isle of Lewis piper and flautist James Duncan Mackenzie, presented by Joy Dunlop
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The Royal National Mòd 2021 has planned a jam-packed Saturday full of events kicks off at Inverness’ Eden Court and throughout the city.
Today will feature plenty of action for sports fans, with Mòd Shinty Cup competitions the Women’s Mòd Cup and Men’s Mòd Cup, as well as the Mòd Football Cup all taking place.
The free Mòd Shinty Cup event will kick off at Bught Park at 12.30pm where Inverness and Alba Women will go head to head in the Women’s Mòd Cup.
At 2.30pm, Inverness and Strathglass will take to the pitch for the Men’s Mòd Cup to battle it out for The Aviemore Trophy.
Meanwhile, the free Mòd Football Cup event will take place at 2pm at Inverness Royal Academy, with local champions Loch Ness FC and Glasgow Island competing for the Mòd Cup.
Gig lovers are in for a treat as the special Our Language, Our Music concert will feature an all-star line-up of guest musicians.
Notable fiddle player Duncan Chisholm, award-winning multi-instrumentalist Mairearad Green, Isle of Lewis piper and flautist James Duncan Mackenzie and the amazing Cànan’s Ar Cèol House Band will get toes tapping at the Empire Theatre, Eden Court at 7.30pm. There will also be a host of up and coming musical talent as young Gaelic musicians will take to the stage for the first time.
Other events taking place throughout the day include Disathairne A’ Mhòd, a compilation of the best performances submitted online, Ruith Nan Gàidheal, a Gaelic fun-run at Canal Parks beside the Rugby Club at 8.45am, Marloch Aig A’ Mhòd, an evening of traditional music with musical trio Marloch at The Botanic House from 8pm and a free family-friendly Pop-Up Ceilidh at 11am at Falcon Square.
Youngsters can also take part in the free Gaelic Medium Shinty Coaching Session for under 14s, run by Gaelic speaking coaches from Ioamain Cholmcille and Inverness Shinty Club at 12pm at Bught Park.
This will be followed by the Cruinneachadh nan Caman, a shinty competition with a Gaelic flavour for Inverness kids at 12pm.
James Graham, chief executive officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “It was amazing to see everyone come together yesterday evening for the Opening Mòd Concert, especially after we’ve all went so long without live music.
“Fans of Gaelic music, sport and culture are in for a treat today as we’ve got a whole host of events lined up. The Mòd Shinty Cup and The Mòd Cup Football are really special events and will be thrilling matches to watch.
“Our Language, Our Music has such brilliant talent on offer and it’s really exciting that we’ve got a selection of up and coming young musicians performing, who I’m sure will be following in the footsteps of the likes of Mairearad Green and Duncan Chisholm very soon.”
Chairman of Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee, Cllr Calum Munro: “It was fantastic to be at the Mòd opening yesterday and to be part of the celebrations of Gaelic music, sport and culture. The Mòd has a huge offering to a wide audience of all ages to share in the joy and experience of celebrating the Gaelic language. I encourage people to support the event and check out the Mòd programme at ancomunn.co.uk.”
Shona MacLennan, ceannard, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “The Opening Mòd Concert provided the perfect curtain raiser for many parts of the Gaelic world to come together in celebration of music, sport and culture. The Royal National Mòd offers a huge range of activities which will engage people in Gaelic culture, as well as opportunities to use the language in fun and lively ways. The aim of the National Gaelic Language Plan is to see more people use Gaelic more often and in more situations and the week’s programme will certainly help achieve that.”
The full programme for this year’s Royal National Mòd can be viewed at www.ancomunn.co.uk. Tickets are available to buy from Eden Court box office www.eden-court.co.uk.
