Two Western Isles singers have triumphed in the Traditional Gold Medal final.
Iain Beggs from Barra and Catriona Bain from Griais on Lewis were announced as this year’s gold medalists following a nail-biting competition at Paisley Town Hall.
Mr Beggs beat runner-up Ruairidh Morrison from Inverness to first place by just one mark, with an overall score of 277.
Meanwhile, Ms Bain maintained her lead in the ladies competition after securing first place during the qualifying round.
Both Gaels were awarded the Traditional Gold Medal, in memory of Mary Lamont followed by the Islander Shield and the Scotia Trophy in both the men’s and ladies contests.
Gaels from across the country gathered in the Main Hall to witness first-hand history being made.
Each competitor performed two songs of their own choosing; sending the crowd into rapturous applause.
Barra singer wins gold in memory of good friend John Robertson
For Mr Beggs choosing the song was an easy decision as he took to the stage in memory of his good friend John Robertson.
Mr Robertson died in June after being struck by a bus in Glasgow.
The 39-year-old, originally from Skye, was highly regarded at the Royal National Mod; winning several medals at both local and national Mods.
Mr Beggs performance marked his first official singing competition at the Mod.
He performed a rendition of the song Teann a-nanl (Last Song) by Brian Ó hEadhra, in a style he says Mr Robertson would have approved of.
Speaking just moments after the results were announced, the 32-year-old Gaelic teacher hopes that he did him proud.
He said: “The medal means a lot to me as this year I only entered to sing my friends’ favourite song, who sadly passed away a few months back.
“I didn’t think I would win it, but I would like to think I did him proud.”
He added: “I didn’t think the song I chose would be a winning song in the slightest.
“I tried my best to have fun with the song as that’s what he would have preferred, but after I saw the marks go up, I was rather emotional.
“I entered with the belief that I would not be winning at all, so I was very surprised to hear that it got the marks that it did.
“My mother will be extremely proud.”
Harris singer wins Gold Medal first time round
Ms Bain was beaming from ear to ear as she came off the stage as this year’s Traditional Gold Medal winner.
The 24-year-old dietician, who now lives in Glasgow, entered the competition for the first time this year; believing she wouldn’t make it through the heats.
After dominating in the morning qualifying round, she sang her heart out to take gold in front of a packed audience.
She will also take home the Moray Trophy, which she won earlier in the day, and share the Donald Murray Trophy with fellow competitor Ruairidh Morrison for achieving the highest marks in the morning’s qualifier.
Ms Bain, a member of Back Gaelic Choir, spoke of delight but admits performing on stage is no easy feat.
She said: “I’m very happy. I didn’t expect it at all. I didn’t even think I would qualify.
“Once I got into the songs I did enjoy them but I was nervous to begin with.”
Choirs and singers from across the north dominated day five of competitions at the Mod as they came together in unison to celebrate the Gaelic culture and language.
Rural choirs make history at the Royal National Mod
Two rural choirs have made history on day five of competitions at the Royal National Mod.
Burach Gaelic Choir and Lochs Gaelic Choir put on showstopping performances at Paisley Town Hall to take home a haul of trophies and awards.
Cheers and applause filled the air as the choirs dominated the leaderboards; reducing choir members to tears.
Burach Gaelic Choir make history on 10th National Mod
Burach Gaelic Choir have entered the Mod’s Hall of Fame for winning the Sheriff MacMaster Campbell Memorial Quaich for a fifth time.
Burach blew the crowd away as they performed a song of their choosing; securing their place in the number one spot.
The group was awarded the Sheriff MacMaster Campbell Memorial Quaich as conductor Riona Whyte accepted the Grace Robertson Memorial Baton for earning the highest marks in music.
They were also awarded the Selma Shield for achieving the highest marks in Gaelic.
Burach Gaelic Choir made their debut at the Mod in Paisley in 2013.
A decade on, they are the first choir to win the Quaich five times.
Last year, the group won the competition as they celebrated their 10th anniversary.
Mrs Whyte admits she was left stunned by the result but is proud of all they have achieved.
She said: “Well it is quite unbelievable. If you had asked me last night if we would win for a fifth time, I would have said no chance.
“They have put in tremendous effort in the last couple of months. They have worked really hard. I just ask them to do things and they are the ones that put the work in.”
Lochs Gaelic Choir return home as champions for a second year
Lochs Gaelic Choir were elated when they beat off stiff competition from six rural choirs to take the top spot.
The group walked away with a host of awards, including the coveted Lorn Shield and the Mrs C MacDonald Silver Baton, which was awarded to conductor Ronald Murray.
The Lewis-based group was also awarded the Captain Angus Stewart Trophy for earning the highest marks in music as well as the Dalriada Cup for their highest marks in Gaelic.
Their haul continued, as they walked away with the Hamish Graham (Strath) Trophy and the Sandy Heron Cup.
It’s the second year in a row the group have claimed the prize; having scored first place at the Mod in Perth last year.
The ladies choir also claimed victory during the day’s rural choir competitions; a victory 16 years in the making.
It is believed the group last won the contest in 2007.
The group walked away with the Grampian Television Trophy and the Rod Mackenzie, Sgir a Bhac Memorial Baton, which was awarded to conductor Mr Murray.
Speaking to The P&J, he said it feels fantastic to be returning home as champions.
“It feels absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“I don’t know how we are going to get them home.
“We practice every Monday throughout the whole year. It has paid off.
“Thank you to the choir and Anne MacLeod, our Gaelic reader.”
Singer beams as she wins Oban Times Gold medal
An Oban singer has added to her trophy collection at this year’s Royal National Mod.
Julie-Anne MacFadyen, from Oban, bagged the prestigious Oban Times Gold Medal at the Re: Hope Church today following an outstanding performance in the solo singing competition.
Her success came less than 24 hours after she secured third place at the An Comunn Gaidhealach Gold Medal final.
The 39-year-old was praised by singer and adjudicator Christine Kennedy, who said that “it would have taken something to beat that.”
Mrs MacFayden, who works in HR for the Scottish Government in Edinburgh, told The P&J she was “delighted” to win the award.
She said: “The Oban Times Gold Medal, being from Oban, is just brilliant and it is the one, growing up, we always looked for and aspired to.
“Winning the medal is such an honour as they’ve always been very supportive.
“Yesterday was my first year in the Gold Medal final, so I was really happy just to be there.
“It has been a good Mod this year. It’s a good start for next year for Oban.”
Family watches on with pride as Oban singer wins star prize
Mrs MacFayden competed in her first Mod at the age of nine.
In 1999, she won the James C MacPhee Memorial Medal in the age 13 to 15 competition.
In 2019, she continued her success, winning the Silver Pendant.
Watching on from the crowd were her supportive parents James and Dawn Buchanan and her husband Allan.
Her parents said they are proud as punch of her and all she has achieved since her first day at the local Mod in Golspie back in 1995.
“We are just elated”, they said.
“She won the James C MacPhee Memorial Medal when she was 13 in Oban. The Oban Times Gold Medal is one that she has always wanted to win.”
The singer thanked her husband for being “incredibly supportive,” while he told the P&J he was just “just delighted as she had worked so hard.”
Mod organisers appoint new Bard
Organisers of the Royal National Mod have crowned a new Bard as Gaels battle it out for the day’s awards.
Scottish poet and translator Niall O’Gallagher was awarded the century-old literature honour in recognition of his contribution to the Gaelic language.
The accolade was first awarded 100 years ago, with Mr O’Gallagher becoming the 59th recipient.
Lewis-born poet, journalist and lecturer Peter Mackay was bestowed the honour last year.
He said: “I’m delighted to receive this honour from An Comunn Gaidhealach. I’m looking forward to getting down to work, following in the footsteps of so many wonderful poets.”
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