Highland Council and Dingwall-based Fèis Rois team up to showcase regional talent in national online concert
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Highland Council's Gaelic Team has joined forces with Fèis Rois to showcase a wealth of talent as part of this year’s online Royal National Mòd.
Cèilidh na Comhairle, which will be streamed on An Comunn Gàidhealach social media platforms at 9pm on Friday, has been curated by Fèis Rois and supported by Bòrd na Gàidhlig.
The concert features performances by internationally acclaimed musicians, including Julie Fowlis and Charlie McKerron of Capercaillie fame, as well as former Mòd Gold Medal winners, emerging artists, and young people who have been through Gaelic Medium Education in the Highlands.
Councillor Calum Munro, chairman of Highland Council's Gaelic committee said: "We are delighted to be supporting the Virtual Mòd.
"I have been watching the Virtual Mòd online and the quality of the submissions which also displays the talent of ‘competitors’ of all ages is fantastic.
"The submissions are excellent and include children’s artwork, Gaelic singing and the playing of all forms of traditional musical instruments."
He continued: "I’m really looking forward to watching Cèilidh na Comhairle on Friday evening as it will showcase people from across the Highlands who are hugely talented in their playing of traditional music and Gaelic singing
"Highland Council is also very pleased to be supporting and are looking forward to the traditional Royal National Mòd taking place in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands in 2021."
Fiona Dalgetty, chief executive of Fèis Rois, said: "We are delighted to work with colleagues at Highland Council to showcase talented musicians and singers living across all nine Highland Council community planning partnership areas.
"It has been a joy to bring this concert together and I am very grateful to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for their investment, which has enabled us to support artists at this incredibly difficult time."
The concert is hosted by Julie Fowlis, who will also perform alongside her husband Eamon Doorley.
Julie is joined throughout the evening by a host of superb singers, including Mòd Gold Medallists Raymond Bremner, Eilidh Cormack and Rachel Walker (2017).
The concert is intergenerational and sees Angus Mackenzie (Dàimh) and his wife Eilidh (Dòchas), perform alongside their children.
Fiddle player Charlie McKerron is also joined by his partner, talented Gaelic singer Sandra Mackay, and their children, Seòras and Cailean.
Multi-instrumentalist Mike Vass represents Nairn in the concert, whilst recent graduates and former Tain Royal Academy pupils Chloe Bryce and Kaitlin Ross represent Easter Ross.
Accordionist Megan MacDonald from Lairg, who performs with up and coming band Eabhal, will also take part, and Mid Ross is represented by outstanding guitarist and former Dingwall Academy pupil, Innes White.
Watch the concert online at 9pm on Friday 16th October at www.facebook.com/RoyalNationalMod or on the An Comunn Gàidhealach Facebook page.
