THE Royal National Mod is to receive £35,000 for Gaelic education as the annual festival opened in the Highlands.
A further £20,000 of core funding has also been announced by the Scottish Government annually from 2018.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney spoke at the opening of the 2017 festival which celebrates Gaelic language, music and heritage.
He said: “This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Royal National Mod – it is a much valued part of Scottish cultural life and has made an immense contribution to Gaelic language throughout the country.
“The Scottish Government is a strong supporter of our indigenous languages and we want to see all bodies working together to support and promote their use.
“That is why, on top of the one-off funding for An Comunn Gaidhealach towards Gaelic education projects, I am pleased to confirm we will become a core funder of the Mod.
“Our commitment of £20,000 a year will help ensure this important festival’s future sustainability.”
Evening of live music to welcome Royal National Mòd to Fort William and Lochaber
Mr Swinney also announced £50,000 of development funding to MG ALBA for the training of future writers, story editors and producers of Gaelic drama Bannan.
The opening ceremony followed a torchlight procession through Fort William led by Mr Swinney and Allan Campbell, president of An Comunn Gaidhealach.
Mr Campbell said: “As the world’s premier Gaelic language festival, the Royal National Mod is understandably costly to stage and funding the event is an annual challenge for An Comunn Gaidhealach.
“This announcement by the Deputy First Minister of an additional £20,000 annual grant from the Scottish Government for the Royal National Mod is most welcome and much appreciated.”
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