Lifeline ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd (CalMac) has confirmed that it is to continue its support for Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail, the Royal National Mod. The announcement is being made today (Thursday, April 22) in Aberdeen at the 2004 Expo exhibition.

The Royal National Mod is the biggest festival of Gaelic language, music, arts and culture in Scotland and this year will take place in Perth from October 8-16. CalMac has been an official supporter of the Mod since 2002, when it was held in Largs, and was heavily involved in the hugely successful 100th Mod which took place in Oban last year.   CalMac’s support is being directed at the Children’s Mod, which takes up the first two days of Gaeldom’s showpiece cultural event of the year, and the Mod Trade Fair. Other support will be offered to the Mod’s main concerts. One of the principal winners from Mod 2003 in Oban was Norman Smith from Ness, an officer with CalMac in the Outer Hebrides, who won the Traditional Gold Medal competition.

Confirming its support for this year’s event as main commercial supporter, Hugh Dan MacLennan, CalMac’s Public Affairs Manager, said: “We are delighted to be associated once again with the Royal National Mod following the success of last year’s event in Oban. Our company has been a longstanding supporter of the Gaelic culture and heritage of Scotland and many of our staff who work in the communities we serve take part in the Mod each year, both as competitors and as helpers. This is a way of putting something back into the Gaelic community and we believe that our association with such a significant cultural presence as the Royal National Mod is entirely fitting and to our mutual benefit.

The Gaelic community of Scotland stretches along the West Coast across our own network from Stornoway to Arran, where the language is being revitalised. This relationship is a perfectly natural and comfortable one for us, given the community we serve.”

Robin Banks, Chairman of Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail, is delighted to have the support of a major organisation such as CalMac.  He said:  “The commitment of CalMac to the Mod in particular, and Gaelic culture in general,  is something which we welcome and we are delighted that they will be involved once again supporting this year’s Mod in Perth”.

Mod 2004, which will be the 101st Mod, returns to Perth after an absence of 24 years and will open on Friday, October 8. This year’s Mod will come to a close on the morning of Saturday, October 16, with the parade and performance of Massed Gaelic Choirs and Pipe Bands in Perth City Centre.

Ends

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Public Affairs Manager, CalMac. Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk; or Murdo Morrison (07803 609774). A picture is available featuring H. D. MacLennan, with Murdo Morrison, Mod Promotion Manager, and John A MacIver, Mod Convenor, having agreed the arrangements for the Mod at Gourock.

Issued:  Thursday,  Thursday April 22, 2004  : 0800