Highland 2007 Mod in Lochaber
Lochaber will play host to The Royal National Mod next year as part of the Highland 2007 celebrations and organisers are promising an extra special event with opportunity to highlight and strengthen the forged links the area has with Cape Breton in Nova Scotia.
In October 2002 The Highland Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Provincial Government of Nova Scotia to develop strong cultural and linguistic ties between the Highlands, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. These links focus on cultural development, education, and tourism and theyencourage exchanges of information joint ventures within these three areas.
Since the signing, a number of high profile exchanges and ventures have involved both public and private sector interests, as well as volunteer and community-based organisations and institutions.
Vice Convener of The Highland Council and Lochaber Councillor, Dr Michael Foxley said: “The Highland Council is delighted to host the Mod in 2007 which will be a very memorable occasion. From my first visit to Nova Scotia I recognised the unique and powerful connection that exists between the Gaelic speaking areas of Lochaber and Nova Scotia on the basis of a common language, a common culture, family ties and emigration. I am delighted that the Mod next year will celebrate these connections and provide more exciting opportunities to share our traditions and cultures.”
Mr Angus MacIssac, Minister Responsible for Gaelic Affairs for the Province of Nova Scotia said: “The hosting of the Royal National Mod in Lochaber in 2007 is of significant resonance to Nova Scotians. Many residents of mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island trace their ancestry back to the Lochaber area. In 2007, the Year of Highland Culture in Scotland, the mod will welcome Nova Scotians to participate in scheduled events that celebrate the common ties that bind our two regions – shared language, culture and kinship. An important focus of Nova Scotia’s Office of Gaelic Affairs will be to foster these ties and seek out future development opportunities to participate in this signature Scottish event. Meallaibh ur naidheachd, O Lochabair is h-uile duine aig a’ Mhod. Gun soibhich leibh uile gu leir.”
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Patricia Ferguson said: “I am delighted that the Royal National Mod is returning to Lochaber in 2007, the year when Highland culture will be celebrated throughout Scotland.
“The mod is a suberb event which brings together people of all ages to rejoice in Gaelic song and music, and I would like to extend a warm welcome to those visitors joining us from Nova Scotia and elsewhere.
"It is encouraging to see so many people from across Scotland competing in Gaelic, and I hope the 2007 Mod will build on the success of previous years, in what promises to be a momentous year both for Highland culture and the Gaelic language.”
The Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, Andy Anderson said: “We are really looking forward to a special Mod in 2007 especially as it will tie in with the remit of the Natiional Plan for Gaelic which we warmly welcome. The Highland Council was the first local authority to produce a Gaelic Language Plan in the spirit of the Gaelic Language Act and we look forward to working with An Comunn Gáidhealach to make this a memorable Highland 2007 Mod.”
ENDS