The Royal National Mòd is organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach (The Highland Association) which was founded in Oban in 1891 and has HM The Queen as its Patron.

There has been a Mod every year with the exception of when the World Wars were taking place.

Although the focus of the Royal National Mod is on competition, the event also offers a wide and comprehensive programme of non-competitive “Fringe” events which regularly include performances from some of Scotland’s top traditional musicians and Gaelic singers.

The Mod also represents an annual opportunity for Gaels and non-Gaels to gather and renew old friendships as well as forging new ones.

Many of those who are past Mod winners have gone on to forge very successful careers for themselves in the music industry. The Gold medal winner in 1955 was Calum Kennedy, who is still regarded as having one of the finest singing voices in Gaeldom. Calum Kennedy was a native of South Lochs on the Isle of Lewis. Each year a male and female winner and it is a very high honour to be awarded this prize.

Choirs from all over Scotland, sometimes from even further afield, attend the Mod. Choirs spend all year practicing their pieces and there is a real sense of camaraderie amongst choir members. The Mod competitions draw to a conclusion on the Friday afternoon with the main choirs taking part in the prestigious Lovat and Tullibardine Shield. Ceilidhs and social gatherings will continue long after the competitions draw to a close.