Gold standard: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland student takes top spot in annual celebration of Gaelic culture
It was a gold medal-winning performance from a Royal Conservatoire of Scotland student in the nation’s largest celebration of Gaelic language and culture.
Traditional Music master’s student Claire Frances MacNeil won the prestigious Ladies’ Gold Medal for Traditional Gaelic singing at the Royal National Mòd in Oban.
The Gaelic word mòd means ‘a gathering of people’ and the festival was first held in Oban in 1892.
It has grown to become Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival, attracting Gaelic communities from across the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, the USA and beyond.
This year, 2,600 participants competed in more than 200 competitions.
“It’s such a great honour to win this medal,” said Claire Frances, who hails from Barra.
“My pride in the Gaelic language is deeply rooted, and traditional singing has always been one of my greatest passions. It’s through these songs that I feel most connected to the culture and its stories. It is incredible to achieve something so widely recognised in this field.
“It is a real joy to now be named amongst previous traditional medal winners, especially from my home Island of Barra.
“The competition had so many amazing singers, and what makes it special is how each person brings their own style and experience to their performance. I sang songs that mean so much to me, and I just hope I did them justice.”
Watch the Gold Medal Final on BBC iPlayer
Above: Claire Frances is pictured below with Ruairidh Morrison, winner of the men’s competition
Claire Frances also qualified as a finalist in the An Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal competition and took second place.
Along with BMus Performance third year David MacDonald, Claire Frances also performed with the Barra Gaelic Choir who came third in the Lorn Shield competition, performing a song that she had researched and brought to the choir.
Sarah Garvin, second year BMus Traditional Music student, also performed in the final and won the new competition of Accompanied Gaelic Song with graduate Finlay MacVicar in second place.
Brodie Crawford, who is in fourth year, performed with the winning Oban Gaelic Choir in the Lovat and Tullibardine Shield.
First-year student Isla Scott was in the winning High School Choir on Tuesday with the Sir E Scott School from Harris.
Professor Joshua Dickson, Head of Traditional Music at RCS, said: “Claire Frances MacNeil has been a valued and vital member of the RCS Traditional Music community since 2023, and we are thrilled to see her do so well at the 2024 National Mòd in Oban.
“Claire Frances’s dedication to her Gaelic roots drives her professional approach, her enthusiasm, and her generous and collaborative nature, and we wish her every success!”
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Interested in studying Traditional Music at RCS? Choose from the Bachelor of Music (Honours) or the Master of Music/Master of Arts
Images: Elaine Livingstone