The Royal National Mod is leaving its mark on history with the appointment of a “new Bard”.
Sandy Macdonald-Jones was presented with the accolade as day six of Scotland’s largest Gaelic festival got under way.
The 59-year-old – who started speaking Gaelic 20 years ago – has been an active participant in the Mod for many years as well as an established poet and semi-professional musician through playing the Clarsach, writing songs and producing choral arrangements.
Mrs Macdonald-Jones was crowned as the new Bard a’ Chomainn Ghaidhealaich (The Gaelic Association’s “crowned bard”) by Allan Campbell, president of An Comunn Gàidhealach.
Mrs Macdonald-Jones said she was honored to have received the recognition.
She said: “It’s still sinking in. It’s an amazing honour and it was a huge surprise – but of course I am delighted.
“In a way I came to Gaelic through the music because I love the songs, and it didn’t take me long to realise that that it was a beautiful language.
“It’s the language of my ancestors and I knew that if I wanted to sing the songs well, I had to understand them and pronounce them properly.
“I started learning, I was bitten by the music bug and the language bug and I just kept going.”
This is the first time that a bard has been appointed since 2004, highlighting the strength and resurgence of Gaelic literature in recent years.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Jenny Black from Brechin in Angus was awarded the Gaelic Learner of the Year award.
The Edinburgh university student, who studies on their Provision of Gaelic medium education course, has been learning the indigenous language for the last four years and has previously taught students at a local Gaelic school.
RESULTS
VOCAL SOLOS
A222 Òran Mòr (women) (Mr and Mrs Archibald MacDonald Memorial Trophy)
1 Claire Nicamhlaigh, Glaschu.
2 Raonaid M J Deans, Comar nan Allt.
3 = Saffron Hanvidge, Inbhir Nis and Marina NicLeòid, Glaschu.
A223 Òran Mòr (men) (F.S. Cameron-Head Memorial Trophy)
1 Ruairidh Alastair MacIllFhinnein, Glaschu.
2 Rory MacInnes MacDiarmid, Glaschu.
3 Ruaraidh Mac an t-Saoir, Glaschu.
A270 Kennedy-Fraser Cup (Johanna Fortune Memorial Trophy)
1 Janet Campbell, Tobar Mhoire.
2 Alison Wood, Càrdanros.
3 Gordon McKeeve, Glaschu.
A251 Learners (men) (Katie Stewart Memorial Trophy)
1 Calum MacColla, An Gearasdan.
2 Colin West, Lunnainn.
A221 Fluent (men) (Caledonian MacBrayne Trophy)
1 Rory MacInnes MacDiarmid, Glaschu.
2 John Boa, Dùn Èideann.
3 Ruaraidh Mac an t-Saoir, Glaschu.
A250 Learners (women) (Margot Campbell Trophy)
1 Maya Evan Matyas, Glaschu.
2 Julie-Anne MacFadyen, An t-Òban.
3 Lynn NicDhòmhnaill, Ìle.
A252 Song about Nature (women) (Catherine M.B. Dunlop Quaich)
1 Julie-Anne MacFadyen, An t-Òban.
A220 Fluent (women) (Mary C. MacNiven Memorial Salver)
1 Claire Nicamhlaigh, Glaschu.
2 Raonaid M J Deans, Comar nan Allt.
3 Saffron Hanvidge, Inbhir Nis.
A248 Traditional (learners) (George Clavey Memorial Quaich)
1 Mairi Mcgillivray, Ìle.
2 Catriona Ann Maclennan, Glaschu.
3 Davy Macdonald, An t-Òban.
SS254 Silver Pendant Final (learners)
Women (Catherine Gemmell Memorial Trophy)
1 Julie-Anne MacFadyen, An t-Òban.
2 Mary MacKinnon, An t-Òban.
3 Maya Evan Matyas, Glaschu.
Men (Alasdair MacInnes Memorial Trophy)
1 Calum MacColla, An Gearasdan.
2 Colin West, Lunnainn.
VOCAL SOLOS (FLUENT SPEAKERS)
Traditional
C145 Girls (16-18) (Iain Morrison Memorial Trophy)
1 Eilidh Morag Nic a’ Phi, Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis.
2 Catherine MacDonald, Sgoil Sir E Scott.
3 Ealasaid NicCoinnich, Nis.
C70Aii (11-12)
1 Aimee Macleod, Sgoil nan Loch.
2 Muireann Dalton, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
3 Maria Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
ORAL (FLUENT SPEAKERS)
C90 Conversation (13-15)
1 Finlay MacLennan, Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis.
2 Anndra Cuimeanach, Àrd-sgoil Gheàrrloch.
3 Rae MacIver, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C40 (9-10) (Ewen Dingwall Memorial Trophy)
1 Finlay MacLeay Morrison, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
2 Hannah MacLeod, Bun-sgoil Chondobhrait.
3 Oisín Fuentes, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.
C20 (5-6)
1 Dylan Gibson, Bun-sgoil Thaigh a’ Chladaich.
2 Macy Spreadbury, Bun-sgoil Achadh na Creige.
3 Carys Rodgers, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Loch Abar.
CLARSACH
Solos (Junior)
B322 Elementary (Florence Wilson Trophy)
1 Katie Sutherland, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.
2 Martha Bauld, Bun-sgoil Dhòrnach.
3 Amy Spearing, Acadamaidh Dhùglais.
B323 Intermediate 1 (K. Barry Milner Trophy)
1 Maria Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
2 Fiona Langley, Sgoil Sir E Scott.
3 = Amy Darroch, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu and Grace Scott, Bun-sgoil na Pàirc.
Solos (Senior)
B325 Elementary (Jean C. Campbell Award)
1 Anne Moar, Dùn Èideann.
B326 Advanced (Elspeth A. Hyllested Trophy)
1 Melanie Ronnie, Edinburgh.
B329 Original Composition (Margaret Balfour Trophy)
1 Grace Stewart-Skinner, Am Blàr Dubh.
2 Meredith Kennedy, Glenalmond.
3 Sorcha Thompson, Edinburgh.