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Article published 22/10/2025

The curtain has come down in Lochaber on the 133-year-old Royal National Mòd. This marked the end of nine days of world-class Gaelic cultural celebration and competition.

From 10 to 18 October, Scotland’s premier celebration of Gaelic language, culture, sport, and art took over 11 venues in the Highlands.

Thousands of people, including 1,900 competitors and hundreds of performers and exhibitors, transformed Fort William into a thriving hotspot of Gaelic language.

Lochaber was home to a non-stop festival atmosphere with estimated attendances of around 10,000. This is an increase of 10% on the 2024 edition.

Huge success for Gaelic culture

The festival included 300 individual events across the week.

These proudly celebrated the unique language, culture, and spirit of the Gaels, and championed its relevance and value in modern Scotland.

Musical talents from Aberdeen to Australia and Dunoon to Dundee made the pilgrimage to the world’s largest Scottish Gaelic cultural showcase.

It is anticipated to have brought in at least £3.6 million to the Highland economy, providing a boost for local businesses.

Band performing on stage at a festivalCeilear performing at the Opening Concert of The Royal National Mòd 2025. © An Comunn Gàidhealach

Competition and lasting legacy

Competition entries were up this year. This was thanks, in part, to the incredibly successful Mòd Academy programme.

Hundreds of cups, trophies, plates, shields, quaichs, and medals were dished out to deserving winners across the week.

The programme delivered 500 music and song tuition sessions across the region in the lead up to the event.

As a result, 200 local children took part, creating a lasting musical legacy in the Lochaber area. 

A spectacular finale

To round off a sensational display of cultural pride, hundreds of choir members marched from the Nevis Centre, coming together in celebratory song at Cameron Square for the historic Massed Choirs event.

They were accompanied by Lochaber, Lochaber Schools, and Mallaig and Ardnamurchan Pipe Bands.

The symbolic Mòd flag was then handed over to 2026 hosts, Glasgow, an urban heartland of the indigenous language in Scotland today.

The Royal National Mòd returns to Glasgow in 2026 from 9 to 17 October.

Find out more about the Mòd on ancomunn.co.uk

Supporters of The Royal National Mòd 2025

  • EventScotland (part of VisitScotland)
  • Bòrd na Gàidhlig
  • Highland Council
  • The Scottish Government

 

  • Caledonian MacBrayne
  • BBC ALBA
  • Creative Scotland
  • Scottish Qualifications Authority

Lochaber has been an outstanding host for the Royal National Mòd 2025, showcasing its deep connection to Gaelic language, music, and culture.

The energy and enthusiasm we’ve seen over the past nine days have been truly inspiring, and it’s clear that the spirit of the Gaels is alive and thriving here in the Highlands, and we hope the event leaves a strong Gaelic and musical legacy.

We are immensely grateful to everyone who made this year’s event such a resounding success; from our dedicated partners, sponsors, and local organisers to the incredible volunteers, performers, competitors, and visitors who brought this celebration to life.

As we look ahead to Glasgow in 2026, we carry with us the memories of a fantastic event in Lochaber and the knowledge that the Mòd continues to bring cultural pride and economic benefits to every community it touches.

Maggie Cunningham, Chair, An Comunn Gàidhealach

It has been a truly memorable Royal National Mòd, showcasing and celebrating the very best of the Gaelic, culture, and hospitality, for which Lochaber is so renowned.

Congratulations should go to all who have contributed to such a successful event and to the communities of Lochaber for being fantastic hosts.

The Mòd has demonstrated why Gaelic and culture are such prized assets for our area.

They carry enormous social and economic benefits, and these past nine days have left us with so much to be encouraged about for the future of our language.

Raymond Bremner, Councillor, Highland Council

The Royal National Mòd is a wonderful showcase of Scotland’s rich Gaelic culture and heritage, and Lochaber provided the perfect stage for this year’s event.

Over the course of nine days across various venues, Gaelic language, culture, sport, and art were on display as audiences from around the world descended on the Highlands to enjoy an important part of our country’s cultural identity.

As part of our diverse portfolio of events and festivals, the Royal National Mòd plays a key role in helping to drive Scotland’s visitor economy and reinforces our reputation as a world-leading tourism and events destination.

Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events, VisitScotland

Glasgow can't wait to welcome back the Royal National Mòd in October 2026.

We are delighted to be hosting this renowned cultural celebration during what will be a very special year of events in the city, as we look ahead to the Commonwealth Games and much more.

Home to the largest concentration of Gaelic speakers outwith the Western Isles, Glasgow has strong, historic links with Gaelic.

Interest and engagement have grown considerably in recent years; the last census, in 2022, revealed an 84% increase in Glasgow residents with Gaelic skills.

We want to build on that, encouraging and enabling further participation in, and appreciation of, Gaelic creative expression.

Our Gaelic Arts Plan 2025-2029, which we launched earlier this year, sets out our commitment to this.

We recognise how valuable it is to ensure Gaelic and non-Gaelic speakers alike are offered opportunities to enjoy and experience events and activities that support and strengthen Gaelic language, arts, music, and culture; boosting the social impact and economic contribution they make.

So, staging The Royal National Mòd, the leading Gaelic cultural celebration, is hugely important to the city.

Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life, City Convenor for Culture, Sport, and International Relations

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