Concordat For Mod 2010 Signed

25th May 2010

Concordat for the Royal National Mòd in the Highlands signed in Caithness

A Service Delivery Contract between An Comunn Gàidhealach and The Highland Council in relation to the delivery of Royal National Mòds in the Highlands was signed this week in Caithness.

The agreement sets out the partnership between the Council and An Comunn for the provision of services by An Comunn associated with the Royal National Mòd within The Highland Council area.

The purpose of the agreement is to clearly identify the services offered by An Comunn and the quality and costs of the service provision.

The agreement lasts until 31st December 2020 and will be formally reviewed after each Royal National Mòd that takes place in The Highland Council area in 2010, 2014, 2017 and 2020. Locations of the Mòd in the Highlands will be agreed by the Council and An Comunn.

At the signing of the agreement in Thurso this week, Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of The Highland Council's Gaelic Committee said: "Conclusion of the agreement confirms our joint commitment to the celebration and development of the Gaelic language. We welcome the acknowledgement of the Highlands as an important hub in the Royal National Mòd event circuit and we are delighted that the Mòd will be hosted in Highland towns every 3rd year until 2020. The local organising committee in Caithness have worked extremely hard over the past couple of years and are now in an advanced state of preparation for what I think will be a memorable Mòd in the Highlands. The main venue in Thurso High School is located close to the centre, has excellent facilities and the views over the Town are stunning. Enthusiasm for the Mòd is very evident in the community and I know that a warm welcome will be extended to everyone who will attend."

John MacLeod, President of An Comunn Gàidhealach said: "An Comunn Gàidhealach are delighted to have concluded an agreement with Highland Council for their support of future Mòds in the Highland area between now and 2020. We look forward to working closely with Council representatives in planning these important events to ensure that Gaelic language and culture continues to be advanced and promoted in this area."

Raymond Bremner, Convenor of the Local Organising Committee for the National Mòd which will be held in Caithness in October of this year said: "We are particularly pleased that the agreement has been signed in Caithness. Although the Mòd has been in other areas of the Highlands, the local committee having been working hard to ensure that for the county's part, a warm welcome will be made to all Mòd visitors on the first occasion that the festival will be hosted here. The Mòd will provide a welcome boost to the local economy and I'm sure that future host areas in the Highlands can look forward to receiving the same cultural and economical benefit."

Photo
Cllr Hamish Fraser Chairman of The Highland Council's Gaelic Committee, Raymond Bremner Convenor of the Local Organising Committee for the Caithness Mòd 2010;
and John Morrison Chief Executive An Comunn Gàidhealach