Paisley talent has taken centre stage at the Royal National Mòd in Lochaber, with Còisir Ghàidhlig Fèis Phàislig sweeping the board in the Choral Unison Learner under-13 competition.
Under the direction of conductors Mairi McGillivray and Ellen MacDonald, the Paisley Fèis Gaelic Choir won all three trophies on offer — The Donald & Mamie MacPhail, The Darlington Society Silver Jubilee and The Morag Robb Memorial Trophy.
Their clean sweep came as the festival reached its halfway stage, with young competitors continuing to shine across music, song, drama and poetry. Day four of the nine-day event featured 27 competitions for performers aged 19 and under in the learner categories.
Photo: Young Gaelic singers lit up the stage once again at the Royal National Mòd today, showcasing their skills in the choral competitions
Photo Credit: The Royal National Mòd 2025
In the Solo Singing Learners 13–15 event, 14-year-old Eilidh MacInnes from Ardnamurchan won the James C MacPhee Memorial Medal for her performance of the set song Do’n Chuthaig. She also claimed the Alexander Hamilton Trophy for the highest Gaelic mark, while 15-year-old Erin Greig from Mull took the Jean Graham Memorial Trophy for music.
Eighteen-year-old Mary Morrison from Point in Lewis won the Provost of Falkirk Medal in the Solo Traditional Mixed Singing Learners 16–18 category. In the 13–15 Mixed section, 14-year-old Robbie Donald MacLean of Castlebay School in Barra lifted the Donald Macleod Trophy. The solo competitions for 16–18-year-olds saw Isla Duke from Falkirk come first in the girls’ event and Finlay Morrison from Glasgow take top place in the boys’.
Another strong performance came in the Choral Puirt-à-Beul Learner under-13 contest, where Sèisteil Bheag took The Macintyre Cup and the Olive Campbell MBE Trophy under conductor Rhiona Whyte.
Focus now shifts to competitions in the fluent categories. Today’s programme includes the Traditional Silver Medal events for 13 to 15-year-old boys and girls at St Mary’s Catholic Church from 2pm, where competitors will sing pieces of their own choosing. At 6pm, the An Comunn Gàidhealach Silver Pendant contest will see the girls perform Tha Thu Daonnan Nam Smuain, followed by the boys in the Silver Kilt Pin singing Balachan Beag a’ Chuailein Bhàin.
The festival is also hosting the popular Cogadh nan Còmhlan (Battle of the Bands), which has quickly become a major showcase for emerging Gaelic and traditional acts. Twelve bands will take part in the heats from 2pm at Duncansburgh Church, with five going through to the 7.30pm final and a chance to win a studio recording session.
Beyond the competitions, there is a full programme of family events. Bookbug sessions are running at West Highland College from 10.30am, at Caol Library from 11am and bilingual crafts take place at Fort William Library from 1pm. A street cèilidh with live music from the Robert Nairn Dance Band and guests starts in Cameron Square at 1pm, followed by a family cèilidh at the Nevis Centre from 6.30pm. The day finishes with a performance at 8pm from Màiri Morrison and Alasdair Roberts at the Highland Cinema, featuring songs from their album Remembered in Exile: Songs and Ballads from Nova Scotia.
Maggie Cunningham, Chair of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said interest and enthusiasm for the Mòd continues to grow, along with its cultural, social and economic impact.
The Royal National Mòd runs in Lochaber until 18th October. Tickets for key events can be found at https://buytickets.at/ancomunn.