Uncertainty over Inverness Royal National Mòd taking place this October due to Covid restrictions
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Uncertainty surrounds whether the Royal National Mòd will take place in Inverness this October.
The event – which would bring upwards of £2.5 million to the local economy – may have to be postponed for a second year due to the pandemic.
Alongside the 10-day event, city businesses are set to be involved in providing a fringe programme boosting the economy further.
Calling it off would be another blow for the area following similar decisions by organisers of the Highland Cross, the Black Isle Show and Etape Loch Ness.
But ongoing restrictions are impacting preparations for organiser An Comunn Gàidhealach and competitors.
An Comunn Gàidhealach’s chief executive James Graham said: “We’re dealing with the same level of uncertainty that many other events are facing just now.
“We’re looking at various possibilities and hoping, like everyone else, that we’ll have a clearer picture of things in the coming weeks or months that will allow us to plan with more certainty.”
Provincial mòds are also being hit, including Inverness’s planned summer event already being cancelled.
Similar competitions such as the Welsh-language Eisteddfod, due to take place in July, has already been cancelled.
Highland councillor Raymond Bremner, who is a Gaelic choir conductor, said: “It is difficult to see how the national mòd can go ahead as normal this year.
“A lot of groups are already looking at alternative ways of keeping their interest levels high so that we are ready for whenever we all get the chance to get back together.
“An Comunn Gàidhealach, the organisation that runs the mòd, did a fantastic job, very quickly, of getting a virtual mòd online last year and I hope they get the support to do similar this year if they have to.
“Whatever happens, I’m sure we will make the most of it.”
Former Merkinch Primary pupil Jackie Cotter, the president of Comunn nan Coisirean, the Association of Gaelic Choirs, said: “October seems a long way away so we need to be patient and wait to see how the whole picture progresses. The impact of the vaccine rollout will be crucial as to how guidelines on live performances and social gatherings change.”
