Royal National Mod massed choirs event will be touching nod to Dingwall conductor and friend of Gaelic Hamish Menzies

IN a poignant nod to an inspirational Ross-shire conductor who recently died, the massed choirs event will take place at the Royal National Mòd, starting next week.

The gathering of Gaelic choirs from across the nation, one of the festival's most inclusive and iconic events, was started when it met in Dingwall 30 years ago – and remembers conductor Hamish Menzies, who died last month.

Mr Menzies, long associated with Dingwall Gaelic Choir, is credited by many with bringing the choirs together for "one last song", sending participants home on a high note.

This year's mòd will include a range of competitions in solo, duet and quartets in Eden Court. Organisers said this week the massed choirs event will be staged at the Northern Meeting Park on Saturday October 16, bringing it to an inspirational close.

The showcase of Gaelic language and culture aims to offer a much-needed lift to the area after the battering it has taken from the Covid crisis. It will be eagerly watched and contested by people of all ages across Ross-shire.

The full programme for this year’s Royal National Mòd can be viewed at www.ancomunn.co.uk. Tickets are available at Eden Court box office www.eden-court.co.uk.

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