Scottish Music Festival - The Royal National Mod - A Festival of Scottish Music

A Celebration of Scottish Gaelic Culture With Competitions and Concerts

• What: A 9-10 day celebration of Scottish Gaelic in music, dance, theatre, sport and literature
• When: mid October (in 2008, October 10-18)
• Where: The festival moves from one Scottish community to another, each year.
• Tel: +44 (0)1463 709705
• Admission: There is an entry fee for competitors. Performance prices vary.
• Website

The Royal National Mod, similar to the National Eisteddfod of Wales, is an annual competitive gathering of Gaelic singers, instrumental musicians, poets, theatre and dance groups and sports teams from all over Scotland. Prizes are awarded in all categories.

The festival emphasizes solo and choral singing as well as competitions on traditional Gaelic musical instruments, including the Scottish harp - called the Clársach.

In addition to the competition concerts, the gathering attracts some of Scotland's most well known traditional performers and throughout the Mod there is a full "fringe" schedule of concerts and ceilidhs. The Queen is the patron of the Royal National Mod and a member of the Royal Family usually attends.

And don't be surprised if you hear music and singing pouring out of every pub and public space during the Mod. This is an irrepressible event and, wherever groups of participants and enthusiastic audience members gather, music is sure to break out.