Organisers of the Royal National Mòd are urging individuals and groups to submit their entries to compete in this year’s prestigious Gaelic language and cultural celebration before the approaching deadline on Saturday 31 May 2025.
Taking place from 10 – 18 October 2025 in Fort William and surrounding areas, this marks the ninth time the 133-year-old event will be hosted in the Lochaber region. Known as Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival, the Mòd celebrates the rich heritage and future of the Gaelic language, arts and culture.
Competitors of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in over 200 categories, including choral singing, accordion, fiddle, drama, poetry, and the crowd-favourite Battle of the Bands.
The full list of competitions can be found at ancomunn.co.uk/nationalmod/syllabus and entries submitted at https://enter.ancomunn.co.uk.
Organisers An Comunn Gàidhealach hope to match entry levels reached at last year’s event in Oban, which recorded 2,700 participants across the event’s nine days.
Hundreds of children in the Lochaber area are being encouraged to participate in the Royal National Mòd thanks to the Mòd Academy. Six tutors are visiting around 40 classes across 18 schools in the area to give them a taste of Gaelic song, traditional music and poetry, get them in the Mòd spirit and encourage them to take part in the prestigious event.
The Mòd Academy is delivered by Fèisean nan Gàidheal, in partnership with An Comunn Gàidhealach and funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig with support from Highland Council.
James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “The Lochaber Mòd is shaping up to be another milestone celebration of Gaelic – an indigenous language that is thriving. We are looking to maintain the fantastic number of participants and visitors that we saw in Oban last year and would warmly encourage Gaelic enthusiasts, musicians, singers, and performers to submit their applications before the upcoming deadline. The next generation is a central focus of the Mòd and it’s fantastic to see the work being done in local schools to get Lochaber children involved in this historic event on their doorstep.”
Eilidh Mackenzie Barker, Fèisgoil Manager, Fèisean nan Gàidheal said: “Connecting children learning Gaelic with their cultural heritage is at the heart of what Fèisean nan Gàidheal offers. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to make these connections through partnership working once again with An Comunn Gàidhealach, The Highland Council, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Lochaber schools.
“Our local Fèisgoil tutor team working on the Mod Academy project this year bring a wealth of first-hand experience as Mòd competitors and as professional musicians and they include student teacher, Laura Robertson, Glencoe musician Lucy Doogan (ex Hò-rò), Mòd Gold medalists Mary Ann Kennedy and Riona Whyte and sisters Ingrid (Glenfinnan Cèilidh Band) and Megan (Breabach) Henderson. We really hope this rounded experience encourages youngsters to participate in local and national Mòds and find joy in singing in Gaelic.”
Highland Council leader Raymond Bremner said: “Gaelic brings enormous social, cultural and economic benefits, all of which will be showcased at the Royal National Mòd.
“The National Mòd will help once again demonstrate Highland Council’s enduring support for Gaelic in schools, in events and in our communities.
“We’re delighted the National Mòd is returning to the Highlands for what promises to be a superb eight-day celebration in Lochaber.”
The Royal National Mòd, hosted in a different Scottish town each year, extends beyond the competitions themselves, with a lively fringe programme including concerts, workshops, talks, and community sessions taking over venues across its host location. The 2024 edition in Oban welcomed over 9,000 attendees.
The Royal National Mòd returns to Lochaber in 2025, from 10 – 18 October. Competition entries close midnight, Saturday 31 May. Visit https://enter.ancomunn.co.uk.