Dingwall Mod scene set for Gaelic language and culture showcase
A celebration of Gaelic culture and arts is set to return to Dingwall this weekend.
After months of hard work from the local committee Meur Inbhir Pheofharain, the town will see the return of a local mòd, which will take place on Saturday, September 7 at Dingwall Primary School.
Competitions ranging from poetry to singing are taking place between 9.30am and 4.30pm.
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Committee member and mum Marie-Claire Dunbar (35), who hails from France but has Scottish roots through her father’s family and moved to Scotland 11 years ago, said they are looking forward for this milestone event.
She said: “I joined the committee after seeing an advert. Both my children went to Gaelic medium nursery, and one of them has won at the Inverness Mod with his class for the third year in a row.
“Obviously I was very proud, as a parent you are very proud of your child being on stage, winning a competition - and also in another language!
“My late grandmother, who was born and bred in Dingwall, used to be very close to Calum Kennedy, a very well-known Gaelic singer who won the gold medal at Aberdeen Mod in 1955. So it was also to make her proud, helping the team to bring the mod back to the town.
“At first I was a bit scared because I don’t speak Gaelic, but the other committee members were very welcoming! We did a lot of fundraising to be able to support the event on Saturday, through coffee mornings and ceilidhs. Most people were very supportive and generous.”
The logo was designed by Gaelic Medium pupils at Dingwall Primary.
You can find more information and a full programme on the Meur Inbhir Pheofharain’s Facebook Page.
Steven MacIver, chair of Meur Inbhir Pheofharain (Dingwall Local Branch of An Comunn Gàidhealach), said previously: “The local committee and I are delighted to be working to re-establish the Dingwall Provincial Mòd which hasn’t taken place in about 20 years.
“Our main focus is to offer another platform for children, both in Gaelic-medium education and Gaelic learner education, to use the Gaelic language and develop their fluency outwith the classroom.
“The Mòd provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the rich history and culture through friendly competition and we want to provide everyone, but in particular the next generation of Gaelic speakers, this precious opportunity.
“It is exciting to see such support from the local community in re-establishing the local Mòd and we very much look forward to working in partnership with others to create a successful event that will continue to drive the development of the Gaelic language.”
The local committee maintains a Facebook page which has a programme of events.
