Dunoon gets ready to host this year's Royal National Mod

Running from October 12th to October 20th the premier Gaelic festival will be hosted in the Argyll town for the eighth time.

As part of this year’s event there is a special focus on Scotland’s Year of Young People.

The nine-day spectacular of Gaelic music, arts and sport will take place in Dunoon for the first time since 2012. This year there will be a host of initiatives aimed at encouraging more young people to get involved.

MOTIVATING CELEBRATION

Talking about this year’s event, Allan Campbell, President of An Comunn Gaidhealach, who run the event, said: “Dunoon has hosted many National Mods over the years and with a well-earned reputation for friendliness and hospitality.

“I am confident that the community will this year again demonstrate the same warm welcome and generosity, and that Mod 2018 will be remembered as a successful and motivating celebration of Gaelic language and culture.”

The Mod always brings a welcome boost to its host town, last year it was estimated that the event generated £2.6m for host location Lochaber, and organisers are confident they will see a similar impact in Dunoon.

The popular torchlight procession has become a fixture of the opening celebrations and many are expected to crowd through the streets of Dunoon on Friday evening to take part.

The procession will end at the Queen’s Hall, where the opening ceremony will take place.

FRINGE

Alongside the main competitions, The Mòd Fringe returns with a jam-packed programme filled with shinty, traditional music, book launches, ceilidhs and concerts throughout the festival week.

As always, many islanders from the Outer Hebrides will be making their annual pilgrimmage to the festival to take part in the myriad competitions and the Gazette’s photographer Eric Mackinnon will also be on the ground taking pictures, videos and reporting from events.

Keep an eye out for him if you would like your picture featured in the Gazette’s coverage from the Mod, but don’t worry if you miss him on your travels, you can also send us your own images directly by emailing us at: [email protected]