Scotland’s biggest celebration of Gaelic culture has been hailed a huge success after eight days of competition in the Western Isles.
Thousands of people have made their way to Stornoway for the Royal National Mod with around £2.5million expected to have been generated for the local economy.
The Mod drew to a close on Saturday with the ceremonial massed choir procession from Stornoway Town Hall to the town’s Nicolson Institute where a singalong brought the festival to and end.
The event was also officially handed over from the Western Isles to 2017 hosts Lochaber.
Organised by An Comunn Gaidhealach, the event is the biggest and most important festival of the Gaelic language in Scotland.
The organisation’s chief executive John Morrison said: “We’ve had a fantastic time in the Western Isles this year, it’s been great fun, we’ve seen some great competitions and the level of Gaelic has been outstanding.
“From all those we’ve spoken to, the feedback has been brilliant. I’m delighted to have seen so many familiar faces competing this year, and it fills everyone at An Comunn Gaidhealach with pride to see new people entering the competitions, we hope they’ll be joining us in Lochaber next year.
“I’d like to extend our gratitude to everyone involved in running this year’s Mod, and particularly the local organising committee and all of our volunteers.
“Planning is already underway for Mod 2017 in Lochaber and we look forward to seeing everyone there.”
This year saw a rise in under 18s competing in traditional singing events and literature events.
The top prizes this year went to Lewis native Carol Maclean, now living in Mull, and Hector MacKechnie from Morvern in the gold medal competition.
Claire Macaulay and Torquil MacLeod, who both belong to Lewis, took the traditional gold medal and Glasgow’s Fiona Ross and Fergus Muir from Islay took home the Silver Pendants.
During the children’s events on Monday and Tuesday, Mairi Callan, 15, of the High School of Glasgow and Eoin Cuimeanach, 13, of Gairloch High School won the Traditional Silver Medal competitions.
In the choir competitions; Barra Gaelic Choir won the Lorn Shield, Lochaber won the Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy, and the Lovat and Tullibardine was won by Dingwall Gaelic Choir.