Royal National Mod (Scotland) — A Scottish Gaelic Mod, from Primary 1 Songs to Senior Pipes

By

Luke Justin

Urdd Eisteddfod (Wales) — A Ready-Made Event Template on eTalenter

Cultural & Folk Festival · Europe

The Royal National Mod of Scotland: Gaelic singing, piping, fiddle, clarsach, drama and art, with junior school classes and senior divisions.

Sets up a Gaelic song, music, drama and art festival in the style of Scotland’s national Mod: 21 competitions, six school-class groups and four senior divisions, ready for registration and results the same day.

The Mod is a Scottish Gaelic festival in which children, young people and adults compete in song, instrumental music, spoken word, drama, dance and art, with the Gaelic language at the centre of most of the programme. This template rebuilds the national Mod’s published junior and senior syllabuses as a working eTalenter event, so a coordinator opens a festival that already has the real competition list and the real age structure instead of an empty catalogue.

The template carries 21 competitions. Eleven are Gaelic-medium and set to Scottish Gaelic: Solo Singing, Traditional Singing, Puirt-a-Beul (mouth music), Waulking Song, Action Song, Precenting a Psalm, Duet Singing, Choral Singing, Storytelling, Poetry and Drama. Ten are left language-neutral because they are played, danced or drawn rather than spoken: Piping, Bagpipes, Chanter, Fiddle, Accordion, Melodeon, Clarsach, Highland Dancing, Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) and Art. Fifteen are individual entries and six are team entries: Waulking Song, Action Song, Duet Singing, Choral Singing, Drama and the band competition.

Entrants are grouped the way the syllabus groups them. Junior competitors enter by school class, in six groups: P1-P3, P4-P5, P6-P7, 11-12 (Secondary), 13-15 and 16-18, with age fixed on 1 October. Senior competitors are not divided by age but by category: Ladies, Men, Mixed and Open, with Ladies set to female entries, Men to male entries and Mixed and Open to both. Twenty of the competitions run in every group, giving 10 groups; Art is a junior class only, so the template makes 206 competition-by-group assignments in all.

The published rules say adjudication sheets are issued to entrants and the adjudicators’ decisions are final, but they print no marking scheme, so the template ships no grade bands. Each competition carries a working 100-mark scale and a ten-minute limit as starting values, with First Prizewinner, Second and Third as the placings and bonus points of 10, 6 and 3 that you can change to your own points table. Agree the criteria with your panel before the first entry is marked, and check the time limit of each competition against your own rules.

Where this event comes from

The Mod was first held in the 1890s as a showcase for Gaelic song, music and literature, in the spirit of the Welsh eisteddfod, and has been held in a different Scottish town each year ever since.

Where this event is run

Scotland, where the national Mod is the largest Gaelic festival of the year and local Mods in towns and islands feed into it. This template follows that Scottish format only. It suits a local Mod, a school or council Gaelic festival, a Gaelic-medium school showcase or a heritage society that wants the same mix of Gaelic singing, pipes, fiddle, clarsach, dance and art, junior school classes and senior divisions.

  • Scotland (Royal National Mod and local Mods)
  • Gaelic-medium schools and heritage groups elsewhere that run a Gaelic festival

Key facts

  • 21 competitions: 11 Gaelic-medium (set to Scottish Gaelic) and 10 language-neutral (instrumental, dance, band and art)
  • 15 individual and 6 team entries, with Art as a junior-only class
  • 10 groups: six school classes (P1-P3 up to 16-18, age fixed on 1 October) and four senior divisions (Ladies, Men, Mixed, Open)
  • 206 competition-by-group assignments, each with a working 100-mark scale and ten-minute limit
  • First Prizewinner, Second and Third with bonus points of 10, 6 and 3; no grade bands, because no marking scheme is published
  • Includes Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) for small bands and an Art class for Gaelic-language posters
Age groups
10
Competition items
21
Competitions
206
Grade bands
0
Rank awards
3

Age groups

Every candidate is placed into one of these groups by age, and competitions are run per group.

  • P1-P3 — ages 5 to 8
  • P4-P5 — ages 8 to 10
  • P6-P7 — ages 10 to 12
  • 11-12 (Sec.) — ages 11 to 12
  • 13-15 Years — ages 13 to 15
  • 16-18 Years — ages 16 to 18
  • Senior – Ladies — ages 18 to 99
  • Senior – Men — ages 18 to 99
  • Senior – Mixed — ages 18 to 99
  • Senior – Open — ages 18 to 99

Competition items

The events themselves — each with the category it belongs to and how judges score it.

Competitions by group

The full schedule matrix, sectioned by age group then category — which item runs for whom, and for how long.

Item Group Type Gender Max score Time limit
Solo Singing P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Traditional Singing P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Puirt-a-Beul P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Waulking Song P1-P3 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Action Song P1-P3 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Precenting a Psalm P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Duet Singing P1-P3 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Choral Singing P1-P3 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Storytelling P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Poetry P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Drama P1-P3 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Piping P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Bagpipes P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Chanter P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Fiddle P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Accordion P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Melodeon P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Clarsach P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Highland Dancing P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) P1-P3 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Art (Media, Art and Literature) P1-P3 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Solo Singing P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Traditional Singing P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Puirt-a-Beul P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Waulking Song P4-P5 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Action Song P4-P5 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Precenting a Psalm P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Duet Singing P4-P5 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Choral Singing P4-P5 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Storytelling P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Poetry P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Drama P4-P5 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Piping P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Bagpipes P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Chanter P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Fiddle P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Accordion P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Melodeon P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Clarsach P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Highland Dancing P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) P4-P5 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Art (Media, Art and Literature) P4-P5 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Solo Singing P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Traditional Singing P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Puirt-a-Beul P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Waulking Song P6-P7 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Action Song P6-P7 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Precenting a Psalm P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Duet Singing P6-P7 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Choral Singing P6-P7 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Storytelling P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Poetry P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Drama P6-P7 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Piping P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Bagpipes P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Chanter P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Fiddle P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Accordion P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Melodeon P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Clarsach P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Highland Dancing P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) P6-P7 Team Both 100 10m 10s
Art (Media, Art and Literature) P6-P7 Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Solo Singing 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Traditional Singing 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Puirt-a-Beul 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Waulking Song 11-12 (Sec.) Team Both 100 10m 10s
Action Song 11-12 (Sec.) Team Both 100 10m 10s
Precenting a Psalm 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Duet Singing 11-12 (Sec.) Team Both 100 10m 10s
Choral Singing 11-12 (Sec.) Team Both 100 10m 10s
Storytelling 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Poetry 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Drama 11-12 (Sec.) Team Both 100 10m 10s
Piping 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Bagpipes 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Chanter 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Fiddle 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Accordion 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Melodeon 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Clarsach 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Highland Dancing 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) 11-12 (Sec.) Team Both 100 10m 10s
Art (Media, Art and Literature) 11-12 (Sec.) Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Solo Singing 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Traditional Singing 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Puirt-a-Beul 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Waulking Song 13-15 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Action Song 13-15 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Precenting a Psalm 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Duet Singing 13-15 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Choral Singing 13-15 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Storytelling 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Poetry 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Drama 13-15 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Piping 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Bagpipes 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Chanter 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Fiddle 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Accordion 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Melodeon 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Clarsach 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Highland Dancing 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) 13-15 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Art (Media, Art and Literature) 13-15 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Solo Singing 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Traditional Singing 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Puirt-a-Beul 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Waulking Song 16-18 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Action Song 16-18 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Precenting a Psalm 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Duet Singing 16-18 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Choral Singing 16-18 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Storytelling 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Poetry 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Drama 16-18 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Piping 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Bagpipes 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Chanter 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Fiddle 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Accordion 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Melodeon 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Clarsach 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Highland Dancing 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) 16-18 Years Team Both 100 10m 10s
Art (Media, Art and Literature) 16-18 Years Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Solo Singing Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Traditional Singing Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Puirt-a-Beul Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Waulking Song Senior – Ladies Team Female 100 10m 10s
Action Song Senior – Ladies Team Female 100 10m 10s
Precenting a Psalm Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Duet Singing Senior – Ladies Team Female 100 10m 10s
Choral Singing Senior – Ladies Team Female 100 10m 10s
Storytelling Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Poetry Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Drama Senior – Ladies Team Female 100 10m 10s
Piping Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Bagpipes Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Chanter Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Fiddle Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Accordion Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Melodeon Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Clarsach Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Highland Dancing Senior – Ladies Individual Female 100 10m 10s
Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) Senior – Ladies Team Female 100 10m 10s
Solo Singing Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Traditional Singing Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Puirt-a-Beul Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Waulking Song Senior – Men Team Male 100 10m 10s
Action Song Senior – Men Team Male 100 10m 10s
Precenting a Psalm Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Duet Singing Senior – Men Team Male 100 10m 10s
Choral Singing Senior – Men Team Male 100 10m 10s
Storytelling Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Poetry Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Drama Senior – Men Team Male 100 10m 10s
Piping Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Bagpipes Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Chanter Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Fiddle Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Accordion Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Melodeon Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Clarsach Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Highland Dancing Senior – Men Individual Male 100 10m 10s
Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) Senior – Men Team Male 100 10m 10s
Solo Singing Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Traditional Singing Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Puirt-a-Beul Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Waulking Song Senior – Mixed Team Both 100 10m 10s
Action Song Senior – Mixed Team Both 100 10m 10s
Precenting a Psalm Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Duet Singing Senior – Mixed Team Both 100 10m 10s
Choral Singing Senior – Mixed Team Both 100 10m 10s
Storytelling Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Poetry Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Drama Senior – Mixed Team Both 100 10m 10s
Piping Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Bagpipes Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Chanter Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Fiddle Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Accordion Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Melodeon Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Clarsach Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Highland Dancing Senior – Mixed Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) Senior – Mixed Team Both 100 10m 10s
Solo Singing Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Traditional Singing Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Puirt-a-Beul Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Waulking Song Senior – Open Team Both 100 10m 10s
Action Song Senior – Open Team Both 100 10m 10s
Precenting a Psalm Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Duet Singing Senior – Open Team Both 100 10m 10s
Choral Singing Senior – Open Team Both 100 10m 10s
Storytelling Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Poetry Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Drama Senior – Open Team Both 100 10m 10s
Piping Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Bagpipes Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Chanter Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Fiddle Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Accordion Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Melodeon Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Clarsach Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Highland Dancing Senior – Open Individual Both 100 10m 10s
Cogadh nan Comhlan (Battle of the Bands) Senior – Open Team Both 100 10m 10s

Frequently asked questions

Can I change this template after installing it?

Yes — installing it creates a fully configured, live event, not a locked package. Every age group, competition item, rule and scoring setting can be edited afterwards to match exactly what your event actually needs.

Do I need technical knowledge to set this up?

No. Installing a template does the setup work for you; you only need to review the details (dates, unit or house names) and open registration.

Want the fuller picture first? See our guide to judge scoring and tabulation software.

Install this template in eTalenter

Everything above is installed as a live, editable event in one step — age groups, items, rules and scoring. Preview it below, then start your own.

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Luke Justin

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