Council Support For Royal National Mod

The Highland Council is being recommended to back the Royal National Mod to the tune of £120,000 to ensure a sound financial footing for the event when it is held next in the Highlands – in Lochaber in 2007 – the year that Scotland celebrates Highland culture.

The Council’s Budget Working Group is recommending that the Council set aside £40,000 in each of the next three financial years as a contribution towards the costs that An Comunn Gaidhealach (Mod Ltd) incur in running the prestigious event.

The 2007 Mod will see the introduction of a cyclical arrangement for areas to stage the Mod. The Council has led discussions with other local authorities and agreement has been reached with An Comunn for a six year cycle of venues. This will see the Mod held in the Highlands twice, in Argyll and Bute twice, in the Western Isles, once, and in other areas of Scotland, once.

The Mod will therefore take place in the Highlands in 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2116.

Councillor Michael Foxley, Vice-Convener and Chairman of the Budget Working Group, said: "We have worked with An Comunn to agree this cycle which will see the Mod in the Highlands every 3rd year. We have also offered assistance with resolving any problems with venues or accommodation.

"This regular circuit of Mod venues will assist local councils and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network to budget their support for the event and make it easier for the hosting communities to fund raise.

"The Budget Working Group is happy to recommend three-year funding, which will ensure a package is in place for the next Highland Mod, at Lochaber in 2007. The Mod is now a major international festival and will continue to grow and grow."

Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of the Council’s Gaelic Select Committee said:  "I am very pleased that through this arrangement Highland communities will have the opportunity to host the Mod on a regular basis and benefit both culturally and economically from doing so.

"The Highland Council will work with An Comunn and the hosting areas to ensure that each Highland Mod is a successful and well organised event."

-Ends-

28 Apr 2006