The top Gaelic learner prizes were taken by islanders as the adult competitions commenced at the Royal National Mod in Oban yesterday.
Kirsty Watt, 21, from Stornoway in the Western Isles, was the women’s winner of the coveted Silver Pendant, while the men’s winner was Alasdair Currie, 19, from Ballygrant on Islay.
The Silver Pendant is awarded for solo singing. The Gold Medal competition for fluent speakers to compete in solo singing was taking place last night as the Press and Journal went to press.
Wednesday is commonly known as “Literature Day” at the Mod. As well as the singing, competitions include poetry recitations for a range of ages, as well as adult competitions in the clarsach.
Literature Day will also give a platform for budding media students in Radio and TV awards.
This year’s Gaelic Learner of the Year was also named as Christina Mackenzie, an administrator at Pròiseact nan Ealan (National Gaelic Arts Agency) in Stornoway. The award, sponsored by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, recognises a Gaelic learner who has made significant steps to fluency.
Christina, who was born to Gaelic speaking parents in Stornoway during the 1970s, did not study Gaelic as a schoolgirl and chose to study jewellery at Cardonald College, Glasgow. She then trained as a goldsmith and designer for 14 years, gaining a Gold Medal industry award for her work.
It was in 2011, when Christina decided to return to Stornoway, that she enrolled on a Cùrsa Comais course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, spending a year there immersed in the Gaelic language.
John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, which organises the Mod, said: “With a great start to the week, we’re excited to reach the middle point with some excellent competitions taking place today. The Gold Medal and Silver Pendant are just two of the Mod’s most prestigious awards. “There will be some great performances and the adjudicators will have a tough time making their decisions.”
Today (thurs) the traditional men’s and ladies finals take place at the Argyllshire Gathering Halls with the Mary Lamont Gold Medal final taking place at the Corran Halls at 7.30pm.