The children’s competitions at the Royal National Mod in Oban continued yesterday as more than 800 boys and girls under-18 took part.
Young Gaelic speakers at all levels entered competitions in singing, poetry and storytelling.
The top competitions of the day were the Silver Medals for fluent boys and girls aged 13-15 to sing a prescribed song.
The An Comunn Gaidhealach silver boys medal was won by Domhnall Lachlann Peutan from Tain.
The traditional silver boys medal went to Ruairidh Gray from Uist.
The An Comunn Gaidhealach silver girl’s medal went to Emily Robertson from Falkirk. The traditional silver medal went to Isla MacLeod from Portree.
Bord na Gaidhlig, the government body which promotes Gaelic, used the Mod to ask those involved in Gaelic education for input as it prepares statutory guidance on the subject to accompany the Education (Scotland) Bill 2015.
A webpage has been set up on the Bord na Gaidhlig website with key points the body is seeking feedback on.
Ferry company CalMac, main sponsor of the Mod, ran a day-long travel and tourism conference at Oban’s Phoenix Cinema and brought top speakers.
John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gaidhealach, which organises the Mod, said: “The Mod is all about the teaching, learning and use of the Gaelic language, so I am thrilled that this year we can provide a platform for bodies to launch their plans to support keeping the Gaelic language alive.
“The level of fluency in many of the competitors and visitors we have seen so far this week has been extremely encouraging. Being bilingual opens so many professional and personal doors and to witness more people getting passionate about Gaelic education in Scotland is very exciting.”
There is still a busy week ahead for The Mod, as today(wed) will see the adult competitions commence including the literature awards, the Silver Pendant Final, and the Gold Medal Qualifying and Final.
Tomorrow(thurs) will see the much anticipated Traditional Gold Medal qualifying and final and the rural choirs competitions.
On Friday the main regional choirs compete in the Lovat and Tullibardine and Margrat Duncan competitions.
The Mod will close on Saturday with a procession of choirs and pipers marching through the town to an open-air massed choral finale at the Corran Halls.