Scotland’s premiere celebration of Gaelic language and culture returns to its birthplace of Oban in 2024.

To celebrate the one-year countdown until the Mòd returns home, as well as recent local successes at Mòd Phàislig 2023, local Gaelic ambassadors of all ages came together in Oban this week to mark the occasion.

Amongst those celebrating the news was local Gaelic TV producer, author and champion of Gaelic culture and heritage, Peter MacQueen.

Peter said: “When you come from the Oban area, it is always exciting when the Mòd comes home to roost in the town where it all started back in 1891. The town is the perfect size to host the competitions, the choirs, the cèilidhs, the kilts and all the fringe events.

“With a brilliant mix of halls and spaces that are all within a walking distance of each other – it really does create the perfect friendly atmosphere. I hope that people who are new to the Oban and Lorn area will feel welcome to come and join the cèilidh!”

Also celebrating the news that the Mòd will be returning to Oban was the renowned and innovative conductor Oban Gaelic Choir and loyal devotee of the local traditional music scene, Sileas Sinclair.

Coming off the back of another triumphant performance at this year’s Mòd, where Còisir Ghàidhlig an Òbain defended the coveted Lovat and Tullibardine shield for the third year in a row, Sileas and the champion choristers will be hoping to be the first choir in Mòd history to retain the shield for four years running.

Sileas said: “Our community is always so supportive, welcoming and embracing the values of the Mòd and the importance of the Gaelic language, its culture and its heritage. We are looking forward to welcoming friends old and new for the hò-rò gheallaidh of all the fantastic fringe events as well as the many great competitions.”

Looking ahead to the huge potential that Mòd an Òban 2024 holds, Mòd Convener for 2024, Donald MacLean, said: “We are incredibly excited for the Mòd to return to Oban once again, for what we hope will be a truly great celebration of Gaelic language and culture on a national scale.

“Argyll’s wealth of Gaelic history will be at the heart of our messages, and we hope to showcase this and its relevance to the language in the area today. We have thriving Gaelic medium education in the area and huge amounts of interest in the language; Mòd 2024 aims to galvanise this interest and kick start conversations about the future of Gaelic, not just in Oban, but nationally as well.

“We’re hugely grateful to An Comunn Gàidhealach for their support thus far, and look forward to working with them over the next year to bring Mòd 2024 into being.

Additionally, we are really excited to be working alongside BID4Oban, The Rockfield Centre and Argyll and Bute Council as key delivery partners, ensuring that there’s something for everyone at Mòd an Òbain 2024.”

James Graham, Chief Executive Officer of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “We are incredibly excited for the Mòd 2024, when we will return to our spiritual home, Oban – a place known for its musical talent and thriving Gaelic culture.

Next year will mark 133 years since the first Mòd was hosted in the town and nine years since our last Oban Mòd.”

The festival will bring a rich programme of events and an economic boost with it to the town. I’m sure attendees will enjoy the beautiful scenery and warm west coast hospitality that Oban has to offer as thousands of Gaels once again gather in celebration.”

Mòd an Òbain will take place from 11-19 October 2024, featuring a wide range of competitions in Gaelic song, poetry, drama, literature, sport and more, as well as a fringe programme that will be fit to burst.

With Oban’s celebrated hospitality, historic heritage and vibrant community atmosphere, Mòd an Òbain 2024 will cement the town’s renown as the legendary Mòd host cherished by locals and visitors alike.

Throughout the week of the Mòd, thousands of competitors, attendees and fringe revellers from across Scotland – and further afield – will be expected to come through the town, known to many as the gateway to the isles.

The week-long hò-rò gheallaidh aims to engage with and celebrate all aspects of Gaelic language and culture – past, present and future – through concerts, exhibitions, talks, activities, cèilidhs and more.