It is the second year running the Highland Capital team has scooped the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield at the highlight event of the Gaelic music calendar on Friday.

The 29-strong choir also picked up awards for the highest marks in the language and the top marks in music for their two songs, one prescribed and one of their choice.

The wins also earned Jamie Macgregor (28), of Muirfield Road, Inverness, the Malcolm G. MacCallum silver baton for being winning conductor despite being the youngest in the competition.

"I'm absolutely delighted,” said Mr Macgregor. "It's not sunk in yet. It is really unbelievable."

The city choir took part in the closing final concert before celebrating in true Highland fashion with a ceilidh, but Mr Macgregor was not ready to predict the completion of a hat-trick at next year's event to be staged in Fort William.

"Next year will be another competition and things can change very quickly,” he said.

Inverness Gaelic Choir with Lovat and Tullibardine Shield which it won for the second successive time. Pic: William Thornton Photography

"My philosophy is that as long as we sing as best we can then that is what matters the most."

Nairn Gaelic choir just missed out on the Margarat Duncan Memorial Trophy for its two-song performance, finishing runners-up to the Aberdeen representatives which repeated its success of last year.

Nairn choir member Iain Gordon made his mark in the solo competition, collecting the Charles Campbell MBE Memorial Prize as runner-up in the men's Silver Pendant competition.

Arguably the highlight winner was Kirsteen MacDonald (22), from Inverness, who became the 15th Inverness representative to win a gold medal at the Mod since the competition started in 1892.

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