Royal National Mod

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The Royal National Mod, (Scottish Gaelic: Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail), is the annual national mod, a festival of Scottish Gaelic song, arts and culture. It has been held most years in October since 1892, when it was first held in Oban with 10 competitors on a Saturday afternoon. It is usually just called The Mod. The only years in which the Royal National Mod was not held was the war years of 1914-1919 and 1939-1946

The Mod largely takes the form of formal competitions. Choral events (in Gaelic, both solo and choirs), and traditional music including fiddle, bagpipe and folk groups dominate. Spoken word events include children and adult's poetry reading, storytelling and Bible reading, and categories such as Ancient Folk Tale or Humorous Monologue. Children can also present an original drama, and there are competitions in written literature.

Culturally, the Mod is comparable to the Welsh Eisteddfod.

The Mod is held each October, and has been held in locations throughout Scotland, both highland and lowland. Recent and future locations include Oban (2003) – the 100th Royal National Mod, Perth (2004), Isle Of Lewis (2005), Dunoon (2006), Lochaber (2007), Falkirk (2008)

To participants, the Mod is also an opportunity to meet with old friends and make new ones. The Mod is popularly known (at least by the press – e.g. News story) as the Whisky Olympics.