THE Royal National Mod will return to the Western Isles in 2011, it was announced at this year's event in Falkirk yesterday.
Many people regard the islands as the spiritual home of the Mod because of their high percentage of native Gaelic speakers.
Western Isles Council beat Paisley to host the annual event, which is estimated to bring over £1 million to the local e
conomy. Next year it will take place in Oban, and Thurso in 2010.
John MacLeod, president of Mod organisers An Comunn Gaidhealach, said that despite the lack of an obvious cultural link between Gaelic and Paisley, the town had every chance of hosting the event in the future.
"They had a very strong bid and it was close," he said. "We hope a way can be found to bring the Mod to Paisley in the not too distant future."
Western Isles Council convener Alex MacDonald said: "We welcome the fact that the Mod is coming back to the Western Isles in 2011. This is the fifth time we have hosted it and I'm sure everyone would agree that the last time in 2005 was a huge success. I can assure that we will be doing our utmost to ensure 2011 is even better."
Yesterday's winners of the Gold Medal, the premier solo singing competition, proved that a lack of Gaelic ability need not be a barrier to success
Lyle Kennedy from Bonnybridge and Kerrie Finlay from Dingwall won through from Wednesday's qualifiers and maintained their level of performance in the final, winning the male and female crown.
The Gaelic adjudicator Uisdean MacRae said he was impressed with the singers:
"They were all learners and reached a good level."
Ms Finlay was diagnosed with Crohn's disease nine years ago, but battled back to full health.
The 26-year-old, a singer with Dingwall Gaelic Choir, who was competing in the final for the first time, describes herself as a full-time mother and is also a student of cultural studies at the University of the Highlands.
"I'm over the moon to have won," she said. "It still hasn't sunk in. Even when they announced I had won, it took a while for it to register."
