One month from now, the bustling Highland hub of Lochaber will welcome the world’s largest event celebrating Gaelic language and culture when the Royal National Mòd arrives – and participation in the prestigious event is set to rise. Lochaber is a large rural area in the Scottish west Highlands, with Fort William as its capital.
Taking place from Friday 10 until Saturday 18 October 2025, the Scottish cultural extravaganza is expected to welcome up to 10,000 competitors, musicians and visitors to Fort William and to the surrounding area.
Competitor numbers have risen for the third consecutive year, with more than 1,900 individual entries. The remarkable event boasts around 200 competition categories, spanning music, poetry, art, dance and more, with more than 270 medals and trophies up for grabs.
The packed nine-day event will also see cèilidhs, concerts, exhibitions, processions, book launches and food and drink tastings take over the streets and venues of Fort William this autumn. Highlights include Saturday’s Ar Cànan ’s Ar Ceòl concert celebrating the best Lochaber talent including Mànran’s Ewen Henderson and celebrated Gaelic singer Rachel Walker, an evening of piping featuring master pipers Allan MacDonald and Angus Nicolson, and a Remembered in Exile concert with Màiri Morrison and Alasdair Roberts sharing songs and ballads from Nova Scotia.
This year marks the ninth time Lochaber has hosted the 133-year-old event, which travels to a different location in Scotland each year.
With one month until the action gets underway, Lochaber residents, businesses and musicians are preparing to give visitors a warm Highland welcome.
Local company Shiel Buses will be on hand to help competitors, performers and audiences hop around Fort William with their shuttle service, which will include the vintage MacBraynes bus in their fleet. Long-time supporters of the Mòd, family-run Shiel Buses was founded in Ardanamurchan and has grown to provide transport on a national scale.
Sharing their excitement, Donald MacGillivary said: “We’re thrilled to play our part in welcoming visitors to Fort William and supporting this incredible celebration of Gaelic culture. The Mòd is not only a highlight for musicians and performers but also a vital boost for local businesses and the wider community. We’re proud to provide transport that connects people to the heart of the action, and we’re especially excited to showcase the vintage MacBraynes bus as part of the experience. It’s an honour to continue our long-standing support of the Mòd and to help make this year’s event a memorable one for all.”
James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “One month from now Fort William will be a bustling hub of song, music, culture and community, and the excitement is palpable. With growing numbers of participants, the event shows just what a living, breathing, thriving language Gaelic is. It’s fantastic to see the community’s enthusiasm and the support from local businesses for the Mòd – as the countdown begins, we look forward to seeing Lochaber shine as it welcomes Gaels from across Scotland and beyond to this unforgettable gathering.”
Highland Council Leader Raymond Bremner said: “The anticipation is really starting to build now towards what will be a fantastic celebration in Lochaber.
“We are all looking forward to the Royal National Mòd’s return to the Highlands, and it’s clear that organisers have put together an excellent programme of events with something for everyone.
“It is especially encouraging to see that competitor numbers have risen, which is testament to the work being done in so many homes, schools and communities, helped by initiatives like the Mòd Academy. Highland Council sees Gaelic and culture as prized assets, which carry enormous social and economic benefits for the area.
“The Royal National Mòd will provide a terrific opportunity to showcase and celebrate our long-standing commitment to the language.”
Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland, said: “The Royal National Mòd is part of our diverse portfolio of annual events and festivals that celebrate Scotland’s rich cultural heritage.
“Gaelic is a key part of our cultural identity, and this year’s event will once again be a wonderful showcase of language and culture for both visitors and locals to enjoy. As part of Scotland’s world-class tourism and events offering, the Royal National Mòd will shine a spotlight on Lochaber and the surrounding area, helping to draw visitors and support local businesses.”
Organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, the Royal National Mòd provides an essential platform for using, improving and showcasing Gaelic for thousands of speakers, learners and supporters.
This year’s event is supported by EventScotland, part of VisitScotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Highland Council, The Scottish Government, Caledonian MacBrayne, BBC ALBA, Creative Scotland and SQA.
The Royal National Mòd returns to Lochaber in 2025, from 10 – 18 October 2025. Tickets for flagship events are on sale now – visit https://buytickets.at/ancomunn
