Two island singers are returning home as champions after being crowned this year’s An Comunn Gaidhealach Gold Medal winners.
Gaels gathered at Paisley Town Hall to watch as Emma Nicleoid from Scalpay in the Outer Hebrides, and Iain MacCarmaig from Portree on Skye sang their hearts out at the nail-biting final.
Mr MacCarmaig pipped Peter MacPherson from Inverness to first place in the men’s heat.
Meanwhile, Ms Nicleoid led the way in the women’s contest, beating runner-up Isabelle Bain from Griais on Lewis to the top of the leaderboard.
To accompany his Gold Medal, Mr MacCarmaig was awarded the Islander Shield, the Archie Maclean Memorial Salver and the Gold Meda Prize in memory of Innis MacLeod, Shawbost in recognition of his marks in Gaelic and music.
During the qualifying rounds of the competition, he also walked away with the F S Cameron – Head Memorial Trophy. He will also share the John MacArthur Memorial Trophy with fellow competitor Ms Bain.
Ms Nicleoid is also leaving Paisley with an arm full of prizes, including the Islander Shield and the Archie Maclean Memorial Salver, as well as several prizes.
She will also share the Joyce Murray Trophy with fellow competition Isabelle Bain, for earning the highest marks in Gaelic during the qualifying stages.
The pair were among eight singers competing for the top prize.
The audience fell silent as each singer took to the stage to perform one prescribed song and one of their choosing to impress the panel of judges.
Speaking just moments after coming off stage, Mr MacCarmaig said he said he was grateful his family was there to support him and celebrate his winning moment.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Weirdly I wasn’t feeling too nervous about it. I was pretty relaxed the whole way through, even going up onto the stage.
“I had quite a lot of my friends and family in tonight, so it’s been nice to have their support.”
Skye singer honours father with touching song choice
During the competition, Mr MacCarmaig chose to honour his father, who won the gold medal 40 years ago.
The 21-year-old Strathclyde University student chose to sing the song “Welcome to the Isle of Skye”; a song sung by his dad during his Gold Medal final.
He added: “It is a song that has always meant a lot to us as a family. It should mean a lot to all Skye folk really. The song is an anthem for Skye and it’s just a brilliant song.”
Scalpay singer wins Gold 10 years on from Paisley success
Ms Nicleoid was left in shock as she was crowned the winner of this evening’s competition.
Her victory arose exactly 10 years after she was awarded the Traditional Silver Medal at the 2013 Mod in Paisley.
Taking to the stage to receive the An Comunn Gaidhealach Gold Medal, the 25-year-old was greeted with a congratulatory hug from president Maggie Cunningham.
Speaking to The P&J, she said: “It really hasn’t sunk in, I can’t believe it.
“I did enjoy it. Coming into the final, I was three points short in the morning and I just if anything, I should go and enjoy it and what will be will be, and thankfully it worked in my favour.
“It is my mum’s 50th Birthday today. I said I didn’t have to get her a present if I won, so I’ve won now, that’s it. I had my dad here and my sister as well and everyone at home will be watching too.
My sister is competing for the Traditional Gold Medal tomorrow so fingers crossed.”
The competition brought the curtain down on day four of competitions at the Royal National Mod.
Barra singer announced as Silver Pendant winner
Theresa Irving was over the moon when she was announced as this year’s winner of Silver Pendant.
The 47-year-old business gateway adviser threw her name in the ring for the first time, competing against two female singers in the solo singing learner competition.
Following an outstanding performance in front of a packed audience at Perth Town Hall, her family, friends and supporters cheered and clapped as she went to the top of the leaderboard.
Over the course of the qualifying stages and the final round, the Barra singer walked away with the Silver Pendant and five trophies.
She was awarded the Margot Campbell Trophy, the Catherine M B Dunlop Quaich, the Catherine Gemmell Memorial Trophy, The Morag Robb Memorial Salver and the John A MacRae Quaich.
‘I’m at a loss for words’
Speaking to The P&J, Mrs Irving acknowledged her performance was by no means perfect, leaving her at a “loss for words” following her victory.
She said: “It feels great, amazing. I can’t believe it.
“Even though I did a wee stop in the middle; I’m at a loss for words.
“It is a bit daunting in here. Singing in the church this morning was good but that was the first time.”
Mrs Irving joined the Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir before moving home to Barra and joining the local Gaelic Choir.
This competition marks her first solo performance at the Royal National Mod.
Mrs Irving previously competed at the Mod as part of Glasgow Islay Choir before moving home to Barra and joining the local choir.
She says Gaelic has “always been around me.”
Clarsach player celebrates first win at the Royal National Mod
Clarsach players gathered at The Wynd Centre today to put on a spectacular show in the latest round of competitions.
For Lily McKellar it has been a day to remember as she walked away with her first award from the Royal National Mod.
The 14-year-old from Cumbernauld claimed the top spot in the Clarsach intermediate competition for grade two and three, earning the K Barry Milner Trophy and a gold badge.
The Our Lady’s High School student began learning to play the instrument from the age of seven before making her debut at the Mod in Glasgow in 2019.
Lily says she “really enjoys performing in front of people”
Her parents, Andrea and Matthew McKellar say Lily never ceases to amaze and surprise them.
They said: “We are super proud of her because she puts the work in. She works really hard and she’s such a quiet, obliging girl. She surprises us all the time.
“She is not somebody who puts herself out there, she is very reserved. Everyone says she is the loveliest girl.”
Judges struggle to choose a winner as musicians put on excellent performance
With a brilliant performance at The Wynd Centre, Harper Maria Monk, from Glasgow, bagged the Duncan Chisholm Trophy and a gold badge after winning the advanced grade five competition.
It was a close victory over runner-up Fiona Langley and Stella McIntyre, who took second and third place.
Judge and singer Mary Ann Kennedy said she had “a very tough job” as all harpers were very talented.
Ms Kennedy told the P&J: “They were all excellent, it was really hard to make a decision.”
Meanwhile, a magnificent harp duet from Beth Ervine, from Firhill, and Anna Dorward, a student at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh, led them to the achievement of two deserved gold badges and the Comunn na Clarsaich Cup at the Mixed Ability 13 to 18 competition.
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