Home » TRAVEL EVENT NEWS » The 2025 Royal National Mòd in Lochaber: Celebrating Gaelic Culture with Ten Thousand Competitors and a Packed Event Schedule for UK Published on
September 13, 2025The Royal National Mòd, the world’s largest celebration of Gaelic language and culture, is set to take place in Lochaber from October 10 to 18, 2025. This highly anticipated event is expected to draw up to 10,000 competitors, musicians, and visitors to Fort William and the surrounding region. Celebrated for its role in showcasing Gaelic heritage, the Mòd will offer both cultural enrichment and significant economic benefits to the region.The Mòd, supported through EventScotland’s International Events Programme, has seen continuous growth over the years. The 2025 edition will feature a wide array of competitions and events, bringing together a vibrant community of Gaelic speakers, learners, and supporters from around the world.Advertisement The Event’s Significance and GrowthFor more than 30 years, the Royal National Mòd has been a cornerstone event in Scotland’s tourism calendar, celebrating excellence and innovation within the country’s cultural sector. The event is known for its expansive program, which includes categories such as music, poetry, dance, and art, with more than 200 competition categories available to participants. This year’s event continues the trend of growth, with more than 1,900 individual entries received, marking the third consecutive year of rising competitor numbers.The Mòd’s cultural reach extends beyond the competition itself, with a rich program of cèilidhs, concerts, exhibitions, processions, book launches, and even food and drink tastings. This variety of events is set to attract a diverse audience and showcase the Gaelic culture that has thrived in Scotland for centuries.Celebrating Key HighlightsCultural Performances and ConcertsSeveral musical performances and cultural showcases will be held throughout the nine-day event, highlighting the depth and diversity of Gaelic music. Notable highlights include the Ar Cànan’s Ar Ceòl concert, which will celebrate the best of Lochaber talent, featuring renowned Gaelic singer Rachel Walker and Mànran’s Ewen Henderson. The concert will bring together both traditional and contemporary Gaelic music, showcasing the richness of the cultural form.An evening of piping, featuring renowned pipers such as Allan MacDonald and Angus Nicolson, will also be a key event, offering an unmissable experience for fans of Scotland’s iconic instrument. Another highlight of the musical program will be the Remembered in Exile concert with Màiri Morrison and Alasdair Roberts, where songs and ballads from Nova Scotia will be shared, illustrating the global reach of Gaelic culture and its diaspora.Advertisement A Festival of Scottish CultureBeyond music, the Royal National Mòd will bring together a celebration of Scotland’s cultural offerings. Cèilidhs, a traditional Scottish dance, will take place, inviting both locals and visitors to partake in the fun. Exhibitions will showcase Gaelic art and crafts, offering a glimpse into Scotland’s rich cultural history. Visitors will also have the chance to explore local food and drink through tastings, celebrating Scottish produce and flavors.Additional …
