EventScotland, the national events organisation, has confirmed that it is to continue its support of the Royal National Mod, Scotland’s premier celebration of its Gaelic language, music and culture.

This will be the fourth year of EventScotland support for the event which takes place in Fort William from Friday 12th to Saturday 20th October. The support from EventScotland is specifically targeted at increasing the numbers of visitors from outside Scotland and raising the international profile of the event.

Activity undertaken by the Mod to date has included attendance at international events such as the International Pan Celtic Festival in Letterkenny with associated media activity in Ireland, advertising in the in-flight magazine of Zoom Airlines which flies between Canada and Scotland and in various VisitScotland publications and also partnership activity with Caledonian MacBrayne, the main commercial supporters of the Mod, as well as the organisers of Highland 2007 – the year Scotland celebrates Highland culture.

Commenting on the decision to support the Mod, Paul Bush Acting Chief Operating Officer of EventScotland said: “We are pleased to be able to continue our support of the Royal National Mod through the provision of a £15000 funding award. Scotland’s reputation as a destination for major international events is growing fast and as part of this it is important that we maintain the promotion of our Gaelic culture and heritage to audiences, both domestically and internationally through the growth and development of events such as the Royal National Mod”

Murdo Morrison, Promotion Manager for the Royal National Mod said “The continuing support of EventScotland is a huge boost for the Royal National Mod and provides confirmation that we are making good progress in our efforts to increase the international profile of the Royal National Mod and in promoting the Gaelic language and culture outwith Scotland. In addition to what we have done already, we will be attending a number of events which attract international audiences including Piping Live, the National Eisteddfod of Wales and Yn Cruinnaght on the Isle of Man. Having a presence at these events represents a major opportunity for the Mod to promote itself and to work with key Mod partners such as EventScotland, VisitScotland and Caledonian MacBrayne. While Mod 2007 in Fort William is the priority we are also looking ahead to Mod 2008 in Falkirk and also Mod 2009 which will take place in Oban during the Year of Homecoming”.

Mod 2007 will open in Fort William on Friday 12th October and will come to a close on the morning of Saturday 20th October with performances from various Pipe Bands and Massed Gaelic Choirs.

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For further information please contact EventScotland: Leon Thompson, Corporate Communications Manager 0044 (0) 131 472 2312 or 07778 163085 or Murdo Morrison, Mod Promotion Manager 0044 (0) 1463 709705 or 07803 609774

Picture shows Còr Duibhlinne from Dublin who participated in Mod 2006 and who will be attending Mod 2007 in Fort William

NOTES TO EDITORS

EventScotland is the national organisation for sporting and cultural events and co-ordinates the delivery of the Major Events Strategy published by the Scottish Executive in November 2002.

The strategy is designed to maximise the benefits of existing events, attract new events, showcase Scotland's assets and encourage more people to visit Scotland experiencing at first hand, major sporting and cultural events being staged in the country.

For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and the latest event news please visit www.EventScotland.org