Littlehouse Media

Fort William has all the Mòd cons

An evening of live trad music and Gaelic culture at the VisitScotland iCentre in Fort William will form part of a celebration marking the arrival of the Royal National Mòd to Lochaber.

 

People are invited along to the VisitScotland iCentre in Fort William from 4pm on Monday 16 October 2017, as it hosts an evening of free live musical performances, with support from the Outdoor Capital of the UK (OCUK), Lochaber Chamber of Commerce’s tourism brand.

 

The Royal National Mòd is organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach (The Highland Association). Famous for celebrating our Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival provides opportunities for people of all ages to perform across a range of competitive disciplines, including Gaelic music and song, Highland dancing, instrumental, drama, sport and literature.

 

This year, it takes place between 13 and 21 October in Lochaber and staff in the Fort William VisitScotland iCentre will be helping answer any queries in relation to the events taking place during the week, as well as providing Gaelic-speaking advisors for the event in the centre itself on 16 October.

 

The entertainment kicks off in the iCentre at 4pm on 16 October, when 11-year-old accordion player Cameron MacIsaac, who is competing in the Mòd, will open proceedings. iCentre visitors can then whet their appetites with music from local performers, including Gaelic Mòd gold medal singers Ruaridh Cormack, Eilidh Cormack and Emma Macleod.

 

At 5pm, the talented Marianne Fraser and A’Hooligan, who describe themselves as “a mad-trad ceilidh band from the west coast, producing and performing our unique style throughout the highlands and islands,” will perform.

 

Hot on their heels from 6.30pm to 8pm are Gary Innes, Ewen Henderson and Craig Irving, of Mànran, one of the best-known and loved Scottish bands on the scene today. The 2011 launch of their debut single, Latha Math, heralded a meteoric rise to the top of the Scottish music world that quickly saw them playing many of the most prestigious festivals in Europe, despite having only been in existence for a few months.

 

From then, a multi-award-winning debut album followed as the band set about living up to the hype surrounding their early release while establishing their characteristic sound and distinctive approach to musical arrangement.

 

A member of VisitScotland’s Coo Van fleet – either Hamish, Morag or Archie – will also be parked outside the iCentre on Monday evening. These vans have toured the country throughout the summer, providing inspiration and information at events, visitor attractions and tourism hotspots – and have become a real talking point amongst visitors, who are encouraged to stop by, have a chat with our Coo-visors and learn about some of the traditional Scottish activities in which they can get involved.

 

For those who can’t attend, there is an opportunity to view a live streaming of events, along with exclusive interviews with the musicians, live on Facebook on the OCUK Facebook page (Facebook Live) at:

https://www.facebook.com/Outdoorcapitaluk

 

Chris Taylor, VisitScotland Regional Partnerships Director, said:“This event is the perfect opportunity for VisitScotland to help showcase some great traditional music and we are delighted to be supporting this as well as the continual development and promotion of Gaelic, particularly during Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

 

“At VisitScotland we recognise that the Gaelic language is an integral part of Scotland’s heritage, identity and culture, which makes it vital when we are marketing Scotland to our visitors.

 

“The VisitScotland team here in the Fort William iCentre is pivotal in providing information and inspiration to visitors from all over the world who want to learn about the Highlands and the Gaelic culture. Tourism is the heartbeat of the Scottish economy – supporting communities and creating jobs throughout the year in every corner of the country.”

 

Chris O’Brien, Destination Manager, Outdoor Capital of the UK said:“We are delighted to support this fantastic night of traditional entertainment with VisitScotland, and we’re just as excited to live stream the event on Facebook so that we can share our brand of Highland entertainment with the rest of the world!”

 

As well as the fantastic musicians, visitors will also be able to Lochaber’s delicious local produce, including shortbread and whisky.

 

For more information on VisitScotland, visit:

www.visitscotland.com

For more information on The Outdoor Capital of the UK, visit:

www.outdoorcapital.co.uk

 

ENDS

 

For further information contact:

 

Kim Walton | Regional Corporate Press Officer | VisitScotland | T: (01224) 269187

M: 07805 802 508 | E: [email protected]

Or

Louise Purves | Corporate Press Officer | VisitScotland | T: (0131) 472 2052 | E: [email protected]

Or

Paddy Cuthbert | Littlehouse Media | E: [email protected] |

M: +44 (0)7913 951717

 

Notes to Editors

 

The Outdoor Capital of the UK is Lochaber Chamber of Commerce’s tourism element. Under the OCUK brand the Chamber of Commerce publicise, sponsor and promote Lochaber as a leading tourist destination within the UK. The Outdoor Capital of the UK website is the site to go to for local events, activity providers and visitor accommodation in Lochaber – http://www.outdoorcapital.co.uk/

 

Through a range of collaborative marketing initiatives and activities the organisation promotes Fort William and Lochaber as the best place in the UK for everyone to experience the outdoors; with a view to developing local jobs and wealth and encouraging sustainable economic growth – #myoutdoorcapital.

 

Visitors interested in the outdoors are very important to the economy and community of Lochaber. There are over 65 different activities to choose from in an amazing landscape that encompasses the small isles to Ben Nevis with White Water Rivers, sea, lochs, beaches, forest, glens, cliffs and mountains in between.


Useful websites & social media channels:

Lochaber Chamber of Commerce – http://www.lochaberchamber.co.uk/

The Outdoor Capital of the UK – http://www.outdoorcapital.co.uk/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Outdoor_Capital

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Outdoorcapitaluk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outdoorcapitaluk

YouTube:


VisitScotland

  • Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
  • VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
  • The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
  • This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.
  • The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
  • Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP

 

2017 Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology

  • The Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology ends on 31 December 2017.  It will build on the momentum generated by previous themed years in Scotland including the 2015 Year of Food and Drink, Homecoming Scotland 2014, the Year of Creative and the Year of Natural. 2018 will be the Year of Young People.

 

You Might Also Like

Nevis Range, Scotland’s highest snowsports destination, open for business

Hostelling Scotland opens four summer youth hostels in 2018

Epic Halloween tale of ‘Ned vs Monster’ in the Outdoor Capital

Discover Scotland’s ‘Braw Buildings’ with Hostelling Scotland

Inverness Youth Hostel gets a fresh new look

Aberfoyle to host new endurance gravel cycling event and festival

Gravelfoyle – Gravel Cycling at the heart of Aberfoyle’s new tourism brand

HESS, award winning one-man play about Rudolf Hess, goes on the road

Three female adventurers to take on epic 1936 cycling trip

Monster Meets Mountain – Nevis Range joins forces with the Cobbs Group

Expert of mountain rescue, ‘Heavy’ Whalley, wins top mountain festival award

Noel Williams wins 2019 Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture

That’s Fife Festival Programme Announced

Hostelling Scotland fully open for business after two years

International partnership benefits Nevis Range snowsports enthusiasts

300 Dutch adventurers to run, bike and kayak across Scotland

Lochaber Ideas Week programme revealed

Summer Youth Hostel Returns to Glasgow

SYHA’s Glasgow Metro youth hostel awarded 3 stars by VisitScotland

Scott Gibson presents his Sunday Sessions at Gilded Balloon’s Basement

Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland wins two rural industry awards

Inspirational volunteer, Steph McKenna, wins Youth Mountain Award

120 young people from Edinburgh create multi-artform production during Covid

New Lochaber website aiming high

An appetite for adventure in the North West Highlands

Immerse yourself in Lochaber Ideas Week 2019

Mind The Gap tackles learning disability and parenthood at the Fringe

Dr Liz Cameron, Scotland’s voice of business, to headline women’s networking lunch

Heroes take flight at the Edinburgh Fringe – aerial dance theatre and circus

Amy Howerska, the one-woman voice machine, to headline Gilded Balloon’s new comedy night

Coast to Coast – run, bike ride and kayak 105 miles across Scotland

Paul Merton Visits SYHA’s Loch Ossian Hostel – Paul Merton’s Secret Stations

Sustainable active travel and food tourism at the heart of new adventure film

Fort William – the perfect cruise destination

Enduro riders, prepare yourselves for a Highland Clan battle!

DJ Grant Stott’s hit Fringe show Tales From Behind The Mic to tour Scotland

Young heroes wanted for aerial dance workshops in the Easter holidays

Chris O’Brien, MD of Nevis Range, shortlisted for Business Leader of The Year

Call for nominations to join Hostelling Scotland’s Board of Trustees

Fort William Mountain Festival 2021 goes Covid-19 safe

#myoutdoorcapital – OCUK to put visitors firmly in the frame

Jura, the Border Collie, trains to become the first Ski Patrol rescue dog at Nevis Range

The ultimate runners’ sightseeing tour of Edinburgh returns

Rob Cochrane wins 2019 Scottish Youth Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture

Start your Highland biking adventure at the new Nevis Range Bike School

The new Pentland Trail Centre – The future for Edinburgh biking

Nevis Range is making it snow all season long!

Gilded Balloon is expanding into the New Town!

‘A Meeting of Minds 2’ celebrates innovation in Scotland’s aquaculture sector

New hydro scheme powers Scottish mountain resort

New look Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel, new era of hostelling in the Capital

Keith Legge, CEO of SYHA Hostelling Scotland, steps down after 13 years

Danny MacAskill celebrates Edinburgh anniversary with Fringe debut at Circus Hub

Two Scottish youth hostels celebrate landmark anniversaries

Rob Deering, ‘The Finest Comedy Double Act’, to headline at Drygate Brewery

SYHA opens new summer youth hostel in Edinburgh

SKI-AN-DURO, a new ski and mountain bike Enduro for Scotland

VisitScotland’s Lord Thurso to deliver The Charles Kennedy Memorial Lecture

Sporting legend Gavin Hastings to inspire Lochaber at Ideas Week 2017

Media Advisory – UK’s highest Shinty match to promote tourism in Lochaber

Hostelling Scotland begins phased opening of Youth Hostel network

Business Community Programme launched for Lochaber Ideas Week 2018

The Cream of Enduro will rise to the top at Comrie Croft

Chris O’Brien appointed Destination Manager for the Outdoor Capital of the UK

It’s Up to Us…to step up and save our mountain paths

Haggis from Scotland’s first free-range Haggis farm goes on sale in Lochaber

Run day and night at the new Tweed Valley Trail Run

Nevis Range to turn back the clock to 1989 to celebrate 30 years of adventure

Unique Mountain Culture Award goes to novice search and rescue dog teams

Hostelling Scotland to temporarily close Youth Hostel network

SYHA collaborates with Glasgow Caledonian University

Celebrating 90 years of Scottish hostelling

Nevis Range and Trek renew commercial partnership for 2019/20

Mark Nelson brings no-nonsense stand-up to Drygate Brewery

Loch Ossian and Glencoe Youth Hostels, big winners in TGO Reader Awards 2024

Nevis Range announces Commencal as new global gravity sports partner

Hostelling Scotland’s network opens for 2023. Give hostelling a go!

Changing times at Nevis Range Mountain Experience!

Media Advisory – Images – The Ultra Tour of Edinburgh

Millburn Academy ensures a warm welcome to Inverness Youth Hostel

People are at the heart of SYHA Hostelling Scotland!

SYHA Hostelling Scotland – building Scottish hostelling for the future

Danny MacAskill launches video, ‘Danny Daycare’. Best ‘uncle’ ever?

New European partnership to upskill adventure tourism in five countries

A muckin’ great Audax, perfect for Cream o’ the Croft road cyclists

Nevis Range looks forward to reopening in July

Run Scotland in two days with the new Ultra Tour of Arran

OATS in search of a Fairy Pool of staff

Visit Moray Speyside launches their biggest ever UK marketing campaign

Outdoor Capital Activities and Attractions Expo open for tourism business

Route announcement confirmed for HSBC City Ride in Edinburgh

‘Death Zone’ mountaineer, Nirmal Purja, to headline Fort William Mountain Festival 2020

Lochaber community is pulling together to give Nevis Range a lift after lockdown!

The Fort William Mountain Festival 2018 – Celebrate the great outdoors

Award winning Blind Summit return to Edinburgh with Extreme Puppetry

Loch Ossian and Torridon Youth Hostels shortlisted in TGO Reader Awards

Heroes tour Scotland – aerial acrobatics, dance theatre and contemporary circus

Blind Summit to bring puppet ballet to LA’s Hollywood Bowl

Marcel Lucont, easily the greatest UK-based French Comedian, to charm Glasgow

Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival 2018 – The Long Road To Adventure

Frazer Coupland appointed Chair of The Highland Tourism Partnership

Lochaber Chamber calls for urgent action to address the critical public transport infrastructure crisis

Entries open for SKI-AN-DURO, Scotland’s new ski and mountain bike Enduro

New Beinn a’ Ghlo trailhead car park gives back to the mountains

An Teallach wins €60,000 European Outdoor Conservation Association grant

The Ultra Tour of Arran, a big draw for international adventure tourists

SYHA Hostelling Scotland assist in a Recovery Version

Lochaber Tourism Summit 2019, a must-attend event for Highland tourism businesses

Hot water on tap for Loch Ossian Youth Hostel

SYHA appoints Lois Marshall as Youth & Volunteer Engagement Manager

Scott Gibson brings a goldmine of comedy fodder to Drygate Brewery

Margo Paterson appointed as CEO of SYHA Hostelling Scotland

Discover Your Adventure – Fort William Mountain Festival 2023 programme announced

SYHA partners with Ayrshire College for valuable volunteer experience

‘Connect To Your Adventure!’ – big success in just 7 weeks

Nevis Range moving forward with interim CEO Rod Pashley

Top award for World renowned Scottish landscape photographer, Colin Prior

£100,000 awarded to innovative Scottish mountain project

Media Advisory – 500 runners to tame Edinburgh with the inaugural Ultra Tour

Youth development key to Edinburgh Central’s 10th Anniversary

Are you hard enough to take on The Double Stalker?

Lochaber’s Nevis Range becomes an accredited Living Wage employer

Young people invited to collaborate in Muckin’ good summer festivals

Lochaber Tourism Day with Cal Mac – Debate, Engage, Network

Get your adventure challenge on with Project: Explore

Popular Youth Hostel on Loch Lomond side re-opens after major upgrade

Campaign to save Scotland’s mountain paths raises over £218,000 in first year

Glen Nevis Youth Hostel re-opens after major redevelopment project

All or Nothing bring the joy of giant swings to post-Covid Scotland

Nevis Range team up with Endura

Fort William Mountain Festival back to a live, multi-venue event in 2022

Lochaber Ideas Week returns to Fort William after a two-year covid hiatus

OCUK unveil their new branded gondola at Nevis Range

Developing for the future at Nevis Range!

Lochaber’s ‘Connect to Your Adventure’ digital marketing campaign, a huge success

Figurehead environmental campaigner, Dave Morris, wins top mountain award

Scottish Climbing Instructor, Tim Miller, wins Youth Mountain Culture Award

Gold and Silver gongs for Torridon and Loch Ossian Youth Hostels in TGO Reader Awards

Planning on holidaying at home? Give hostelling a go!

6’ 2” skinhead Gary Little to kick off Gilded Balloon Comedy at Drygate

Hostelling Scotland, a new brand identity unveiled

Fort William Mountain Festival 2024 – Come and discover your adventure

The UK’s first waymarked gravel cycling trails opened near Aberfoyle

Run Scotland on The Ultra Tour of Arran

Gilded Balloon offers top class comedy lineup for Drygate Brewery

‘What would Mary do?’ at the Fort William Mountain Festival

Horse McDonald to tour Careful, her acclaimed biographical play

Nevis Range and Trek announce a partnership for 2018/19

Go Swim Loch Lomond – a new open water event for Scotland

Big Biking October – two International bike events for the Outdoor Capital

Josh Howie, former trainee Rabbi, brings cult-edge comedy to Glasgow

Finance and Economy Secretary, Kate Forbes, opens car park and off-grid toilets at Skye’s Iconic Fairy Pools