THE town of Falkirk is expected to be transformed over the next couple of days as the 2008 Royal National Mod gets into full swing.
Today sees the start of the adult competitions, as the week-long celebration of Gaelic culture and music enters its busiest phase.
John MacLeod, president of Mod organisers An Comunn Gaidhealach, said: "We've been very encouraged so far. The numb
ers attending have been very healthy and the good weather has helped.
"The venues are all close and the local council has been very supportive. There's been a very good atmosphere and we fully expect that to continue."
The local economy is expected to benefit to the tune of £1.5 million, with live music and events being held across a range of different venues.
During yesterday's competitions, 15-year-old Ruairidh Cormack from Skye received a welcome surprise after picking up one of the main medals of the day – a congratulatory hug from Miss Scotland.
Nineteen-year-old Stephanie Willemse visited the Mod yesterday and presented the Silver Medal for 13- to 15-year-olds.
Ruairidh comes from a strong Gaelic-singing background. His father is the renowned singer Arthur Cormack, who won the prestigious senior Gold Medal in Motherwell in 1983.
The Mod has traditionally had problems attracting significant numbers of male teenagers to take to the stage, but organisers hope the presence of Ms Willemse might now tempt more to come forward.
Ruairidh certainly took all the fanfare in his stride. "She's a really nice person," he said.
And Ms Willemse herself revealed something of a strong Gaelic pedigree, with her grandfather, John Gray, coming from Eriskay and grandmother, Cathy Ronan a native of Barra.
"Ruairidh was fantastic," she said, after witnessing her first ever Mod competition.
"I kind of understand Gaelic a bit. For my gran and grandad it was their first language. I'd love to speak it, but it's not easy to learn."
Mr MacLeod hoped the presence of Miss Scotland would help generate a higher profile for the Mod.
"It can only help when we are trying to attract as many competitors as possible," he said.
In the choral events, Sir E Scott School from Tarbert in Harris defeated one of their oldest island rivals, the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway.
The 100-pupil school won two out of the three competitions they entered alongside the Nicolson, which was seen as a tremendous achievement considering the larger school has more than 1,000 pupils to choose from.
FULL MOD RESULTS - TUESDAYC20 Conversation(5-6) Converse with adjudicator
1st Gold Badge
Dòmhnall Lachlann Peutan, Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige.
2nd Silver Badge
Cathal Callan, Fernhill School.
3rd Bronze Badge
Gilleasbuig Mac a' Phiocair, Bun-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
C20A Conversation(7-8) Converse with adjudicator
1st Gold Badge
Peigi Nic a' Phiocair, Bun-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
2nd Silver Badge
Màiri Callan, Fernhill School.
3rd Bronze Badge
John Alasdair Bain, Sgoil a' Bhac.
C21 Storytelling(5-6) Tell a story of own choice
1st . Gold Badge
Iain Fhionnlaigh Mac an t-Saoir, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cìse.
C21A Storytelling(7-8) Tell a story of own choice
1st . Gold Badge
Màiri Callan, Fernhill School..
2nd Silver Badge
Pòl Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
3rd Bronze Badge
Matilda MacLean, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis.
C22 Poetry Recitation(5-6) Recite a prescribed poem
1st Rev. Donald Stewart (Duntulm) Memorial Quaich
Gold Badge
Cathal Callan, Fernhill School.
2nd Silver Badge
Isla NicLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.
3rd Bronze Badge
Alistair Gibson, Bun-sgoil Thaigh a' Chladaich.
C22A Poetry Recitation(7-8) Recite a prescribed poem
1st Gold Badge
Màiri Callan, Fernhill School.
2nd Silver Badge
Anna NicGriogair, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
3rd Bronze Badge
. John Alasdair Bain, Sgoil a' Bhac.
C23 Solo Singing(5-6) Sing a prescribed song
1st Gold Badge
Isla NicLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.
2nd Silver Badge
Allison MacKay, Sgoil na h-Àirde.
3rd Bronze Badge
Cathal Callan, Fernhill School.
C23A Solo Singing(7-8) Sing a prescribed song
1st Gold Badge
Raonaid Nic Fhionghuin, Bun-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
2nd Silver Badge
Chloe Nic Fhionghuin, Bun-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
3rd Bronze Badge
Peigi Nic a' Phiocair, Bun-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
C39 Storytelling(9-10) Tell a story in Traditional Style
1st Gold Badge
Mìcheal Callan, Fernhill School.
2nd Silver Badge
Sorcha Nic an t-Saoir, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cìse.
3rd Bronze Badge
Roisin Arnold, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C39A Storytelling(11-12) Tell a story in Traditional Style
1st Gold Badge
Susan Sutherland, Bun-sgoil Innis an Uillt.
2nd Silver Badge
Peigi Ann Scott, Isle of Lewis.
C40 Conversation(9-10) Converse with adjudicator
1st The Ewen Dingwall Memorial Trophy
Gold Badge
Alex John Moireasdan, Bun-sgoil Bharabhais.
2nd Silver Badge
Owen Campbell, Bun-sgoil Chondobhrait.
3rd Bronze Badge
Sorcha Nic an t-Saoir, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cìse.
C40A Conversation(11-12) Converse with adjudicator
1st Gold Badge
Isabelle Bain, Sgoil a' Bhac.
2nd Silver Badge
Kristina MacDonald, Sgoil Ghàdhlig Ghlaschu.
3rd Bronze Badge
Moire McClintock, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C41 Storytelling(9-10) Tell a story of own choice
1st Gold Badge
Sharyn Ferguson, Còisir Òg a' Bhac.
2nd Silver Badge
Rona M Morrison, Bun-sgoil Scalpaigh.
3rd Bronze Badge
Màiri Bell MacDonald.
C41A Storytelling(11-12) Tell a story of own choice
1st Gold Badge
Isabelle Bain, Sgoil a' Bhac.
2nd Silver Badge
Sean M Brady, North Uist.
3rd Bronze Badge
. Eoghann Peutan, Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige.
C42 Poetry Recitation(9-10) Recite a prescribed poem
1st Gold Badge
Koren Pickering, Sgoil a' Bhac.
2nd Silver Badge
Eilidh Jenkins, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
3rd Bronze Badge
. Catriona Bain, Sgoil a' Bhac.
C42A Poetry Recitation(11-12) Recite a prescribed poem
1st Gold Badge
Kristina MacDonald, Sgoil Ghàdhlig Ghlaschu.
2nd Silver Badge
Hazel MacLeod, Sir E Scott School.
3rd Bronze Badge
Fraser Munro, Bishopbriggs Academy.
C43 Bible Reading (9-10) Reading at sight from the Bible
1st Bible and Gold Badge
Brìghde Chaimbeul, Bun-sgoil Shlèite.
2nd Bible and Silver Badge
Catriona Bain, Sgoil a' Bhac.
3rd Bible and Bronze Badge
Sharyn Ferguson, Còisir Òg a' Bhac.
C43A Bible Reading (11-12) Reading at sight from the Bible
1st Bible and Gold Badge
Isabelle Bain, Sgoil a' Bhac.
2nd Bible and Silver Badge
Alison MacInnes, Sgoil a' Bhac..
3rd Bible and Bronze Badge
Peigi Ann Scott, Isle of Lewis.
C44 Solo Singing (Girls 9-10) Sing a prescribed song
1st The Nancy Craik Memorial Trophy
Gold Badge
Amy Heron, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cìse.
2nd SilverBadge
Sophie McGlynn, Cults Primary.
3rd Bronze Badge
Shannon MacLean, Comunn Gàidhealach Mhuile.
C44 A Solo Singing (Girls 11-12) Sing a prescribed song
1st Gold Badge
Megan Dale, Bun-sgoil Inbhir Pheofhairean.
2nd SilverBadge
Isabelle Bain, Sgoil a' Bhac.
3rd Bronze Badge
Alison MacInnes, Sgoil a' Bhac.
C45 Solo Singing (Boys 9-10) Sing a prescribed song
1st Roy Wentworth Gold Medal
Angus MacLennan, Comunn Gàidhealach Mhuile..
2nd Silver Badge
Mìcheal Callan, Fernhill School.
3rd Bronze Badge
Iain Campbell, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C45A Solo Singing (Boys 11-12) Sing a prescribed song
1st Gold Badge
Stuart M Lamont, Isle of Lewis.
2nd Silver Badge
Finlay Cunniffe, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cìse.
3rd Bronze Badge
Eoghann Peutan, Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige.
C70 Solo - Trad(U13) Sing own choice in traditional style
1st The TSB (Scotland) Trophy
Gold Badge
Isabelle Bain, Sgoil a' Bhac.
2nd Silver Badge
Màiri MacLennan, Sgoil a' Bhac.
3rd Bronze Badge
. Eilidh NicCarmaig, Bun-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
C71 Choral Unison (U13) Sing two prescribed songs
1st The Aberfoyle and District Branch Trophy
Còisir Òg a' Bhac.
2nd Còisir Bun-sgoil Crois na Cìse.
3rd Còisir Òg an Rubha.
C72 Choral Two-part Harmony (U13) Sing two prescribed songs
1st The Mrs Ann Grant of Laggan Memorial Trophy
Còisir Bun-sgoil Crois na Cìse.
2nd Còisir Òg a' Bhac.
3rd Sir E Scott School.
C73 Choral Puirt-a-beul(U13) Sing two prescribed songs
1st The Mrs Shroder Cup
Còisir Òg a' Bhac.
2nd Sir E Scott School.
3rd Còisir Òg an Rubha.
The Donald Morrison Memorial Award of £25 for the highest marks in fluent speakers' choral competitions was awarded to Còisir Òg a' Bhac.
C74 Duet (U13) Sing song of own choice
1st Gold Badge
Eva Edgar & Jenny MacTaggart, Isle of Lewis.
2nd Silver Badge
Finlay Cunniffe & Kirsty Gaughan, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cìse.
3rd Bronze Badge
Simon MacDonald & Amy Heron, Bun-sgoil Crois na Cìse.
C75 Prose Reading (U13) Read at sight a piece of prose
1st Gold Badge
Brìghde Chaimbeul, Bun-sgoil Shlèite.
2nd Silver Badge
Eoghann Peutan, Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige.
3rd Bronze Badge
Danielle Gordan, Bun-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
C90 Conversation (13-15) Converse on a chosen subject
1st Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Silver Medal
Gold Badge
Christina L MacLeod, Sgoil MhicNeacail.
2nd Silver Badge
Robbie Greig, Àrd-sgoil Sheumais Gilleasbuig.
3rd Bronze Badge
Alasdair MacLennan, Sir E Scott School.
C91 Storytelling(13-15) Tell a story of own choice
1st £10 (Rev Malcolm A MacCorquodale Memorial fund)
Gold Badge
Annabel MacLennan, Sgoil a' Bhac.
2nd £7(Rev Malcolm A MacCorquodale Memorial fund)
Silver Badge
Eilidh Munro, Glasgow Islay Junior Gaelic Choir.
C92 Recitation(13-15) Recite a prescribed poem
1st Gold Badge
Eilidh Munro, Glasgow Islay Junior Gaelic Choir.
2nd Silver Badge
Alasdair MacLennan, Sir E Scott School.
3rd Bronze Badge
Iona MacDonald, Sir E Scott School.
C93 Reading(13-15) Read a piece of prose
1st Gold Badge
Màiri Chaimbeul, St Mary's Music School.
2nd Silver Badge
Eilidh Munro, Glasgow Islay Junior Gaelic Choir.
3rd Bronze Badge
Steaphanaidh Chaimbeul, St Mary's Music School.
C94 Solo Singing (13-15) Sing own choice in traditional style
1st The Ann Kelly MacDonald Memorial Trophy
Gold Badge
Iona MacDonald, Sir E Scott School.
2nd Silver Badge
Jayne Morrison, Sir E Scott School.
3rd Bronze Badge
Ruairidh MacCarmaig, Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
C95 Solo Singing (Girls 13-15) Sing a prescribed song
1st An Comunn Gàidhealach Silver Medal
Gold Badge
Mischa MacPherson, Sgoil Mhic Neacail.
2nd Silver Badge
. Eilidh Munro, Glasgow Islay Junior Gaelic Choir.
3rd Bronze Badge
Jayne Morrison, Sir E Scott School.
C96 Solo Singing(Boys 13-15) Sing a prescribed song
1st An Comunn Gàidhealach Silver Medal
Gold Badge
Ruairidh MacCarmaig, Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
2nd Silver Badge
Kenneth Rankin, Àrd-sgoil a' Phluic.
.3rd Bronze Badge
Malcolm Clark, Àrd-sgoil an Òbain.
C97 Duet(13-15) Sing song of own choice
1st £5 (Edinburgh Ross and Cromarty Prize)
Gold Badge
Alice Inglis & Kim NicDhòmhnaill, Strathallan School.
2nd Silver Badge
Annabel MacLennan & Màiri MacLennan, Sgoil a' Bhac.
3rd Bronze Badge
Angela K Smith & Kayanna Mhoireasdan, Sgoil MhicNeacail.
C106 Bible Reading (13-15) Reading at sight from the Bible
1st Bible and Gold Badge
Màiri Chaimbeul, St Mary's Music School.
2nd Bible and Silver Badge
Steaphanaidh Chaimbeul, St Mary's Music School.
3rd Bible and Bronze Badge
Saffron Hanvidge, Inverness.
C110 Choral - Unison(13-18) Sing two prescribed songs
1st The Mrs Campbell Blair Trophy
Sir E Scott School.
2nd Sgoil Mhic Neacail.
The Angus M Ross Trophy for the highest marks in Gaelic awarded to
Sir E Scott School.
C111 Choral - Two-part Harmony(13-18) Sing two prescribed songs
1st 'The Oban Times' Challenge Trophy
£10 (An Comunn Gàidhealach)
Sgoil Mhic Neacail.
2nd Sir E Scott School.
The Mrs Hobbs Cup for the highest marks in Gaelic was awarded to:
Sgoil Mhic Neacail.
C112 Choral - Puirt-a-beul (13-18) Sing two prescribed songs
1st The Belle Campbell Trophy
£10 (An Comunn Gàidhealach)
Sir E Scott School.
2nd Sgoil Mhic Neacail.
Rev Archie M Beaton Trophy for the highest aggregate marks in C110, C111 and C112 was awarded to Sgoil Mhic Neacail.
The Heather K Moore Cup for the highest aggregate marks in Music in C110, C111 and C112 was jointly awarded to Sgoil Mhic Neacail and Sir E Scott School.
Donald Morrison Memorial Award of £25 for the highest marks in fluent speakers' choral competitions was awarded to Sgoil Mhic Neacail.
C141 Storytelling(16-18) Tell a story of own choice
1st Gold Badge
Stephanie Tinney, Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
C143 Reading(16-18) Converse on a chosen subject
1st Gold Badge
Eilidh NicFhraing, Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
C144 Duet(16-18) Sing song of own choice
1st Gold Badge
Ruth Naylor & Kristen Murray, Sir E Scott School.
2nd Silver Badge
Catriona MacDonald & Iona MacDonald, Sir E Scott School.
3rd Bronze Badge
Rhona McKellar & Màiri Latham, Sir E Scott School.
C145 Girls - Trad(16-18) Sing own choice in Traditional Style
1st Hugh & Rachel Morrison Taylor Trophy
£50 (Hugh & Rachel Morrison Taylor Prize)
Gold Badge
Joanne Nicolson, Sgoil MhicNeacail.
2nd Silver Badge
Catriona MacDonald, Sir E Scott School.
3rd Bronze Badge
Catherine Tinney, Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
C146 Boys - Trad(16-18) Sing own choice in Traditional Style
1st The Neil MacLaine Cameron Memorial Trophy
Gold Badge
John Fitness, Comunn Gàidhealach Mhuile.
C155 Solo Girls(16-18) Sing a prescribed song
1st Gold Badge
Joanne Nicolson, Sgoil MhicNeacail.
2nd Silver Badge
Erin McHale, Àrd-sgoil Loch Abair.
3rd Bronze Badge
Catherine Tinney, Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
C156 Solo - Boys(16-18) Sing a prescribed song
1st Gold Badge
Philip Todd, Thurso High School.
2nd Silver Badge
Calum MacLeod, City of Edinburgh Music School.
3rd Bronze Badge
John Fitness, Comunn Gàidhealach Mhuile.
The Turriff Trophy for the highest marks in Gaelic in C155 and C156 was awarded to Joanne Nicolson, Sgoil MhicNeacail.
The Meryl Mae Stewart Memorial Trophy for the highest marks in Music in C155 and C156 was awarded to Philip Todd, Thurso High School.
C171A Precenting a Psalm(U13) Two verses in Traditional Manner
1st The Johnathan MacDonald, Kilmuir Trophy
£25 (Gaelic Society of The Episcopal Church)
Gold Badge
Màiri MacLennan, Sgoil a' Bhac.
2nd £5 (Johnathan MacDonald, Kilmuir)
Silver Badge
Isabelle Bain, Sgoil a' Bhac.
3rd Bronze Badge
Katy Graham, Sgoil a' Bhac.
C171B Precenting a Psalm(U19) Two verses in Traditional Manner
1st The Allan C MacLeod Memorial Trophy
£25 (Gaelic Society of The Episcopal Church)
Gold Badge
Kayanna Mhoireasdan, Sgoil MhicNeacail.
2nd Silver Badge
Catherine MacLeod, Sir E Scott School.
3rd Bronze Badge
Annabel MacLennan, Sgoil a' Bhac.
C172 Folk Groups(U19) Two songs of own choice
1st The Allan Thomas Mitchell Trophy
£100 (The Mitchell Family)
Gold Badge
Àrd-Sgoil Phort Rìgh Buidheann A.
2nd Silver Badge
Fuaim Ghlaschu.
3rd Bronze Badge
Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu Ard-sgoil Folk Group.
C172A Folk Groups(U13) Two songs of own choice
1st Gold Badge
Bràight.
2nd Silver Badge
Sir E Scott School.
3rd Bronze Badge
Na Rudhaich.
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