TICKETS for this year’s Royal National Mòd in Perth, featuring concerts, shows, ceilidhs, competitions and exhibitions are now on sale. 

First staged in Oban in 1892 and organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, The Royal National Mòd is Gaeldom’s premier musical and cultural celebration held annually at a different Scottish town and attracting thousands of competitors and visitors.

This autumn the 130-year-old event returns to Perth after 18 years, with over 50 shows and activities involving around 1500 musicians and participants will fill venues over Friday October 14 to Saturday October 22.

Opening the celebrations is the Mòd 2022 Opening Concert, taking place at Perth Concert Hall on Friday October 14. Singers Mairi MacInnes, Arthur Cormack, Ceitlin Lilidh and Darren MacLean will perform alongside an all-star band led by Gary Innes and Ewen Henderson.

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On Tuesday October 18, St John’s Kirk will host the debut performance of the new Gaelic harmony collective Binneas, featuring young Gaelic and folk singers and speakers. 

The group, led by Gaelic singer and choral director John Joe MacNeil, will showcase new choral arrangements by the likes of Mary Ann Kennedy and Sileas Sinclair and welcome an array of fantastic musicians including the Seonaid Aitken Quartet.

Elsewhere, The Leonard Brown Scottish Dance Band will play a rousing ceilidh in The Salutation Hotel Ballroom on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights of this year’s event.

Perth and Kinross provost Xander McDade said: “We are all very excited about the return of the Royal National Mòd to Perth. As well as the competition itself, the fringe programme will feature a fantastic array of talent that will delight fans of traditional music. These events will not only celebrate our Gaelic heritage but also create a real buzz in Perth this October.” 

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Shona MacLennan, Ceannard, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “Gaelic culture is a central part of Scotland’s identity and this year’s Royal National Mòd demonstrates the wealth of talent that Gaelic brings to events and competitions. Recent research has demonstrated how much the people of Scotland value Gaelic and want to see its growth across the country. 

“The Mòd and its fringe provide hundreds of opportunities for people of all ages to use their Gaelic and to participate in celebrating our world-famous Gaelic culture.” 

Tickets for the Mòd Perth 2022 fringe events are available to buy online at www.horsecross.co.uk/festivals/the-royal-national-mod or by calling the Box Office on 01738 621031.