Barra waulking group are new Mòd champions

Clò Na Nighean practise once a week and more experienced members of the group have been passing the tradition down to five recent newcomers. For Barbara Macneil-Smyth, winning at her first competition was an emotional moment. She said: “It was a big shock so we’ll need a few hankies after that.”

The group performed in shawls made specially for the occasion by Margaret Anne Elder, who runs a knitwear business on Barra, and each had a different intricate design on the back.

Margaret Anne launched her knitwear range five years ago at The Royal National Mòd in Glasgow when she knitted various garments for Barra Gaelic Choir. This year the Barra choir went up on stage wearing her handmade broaches.

The knitter was selling her products in the stall marquee outside Corran Halls when the group won the competition and afterwards she received a big hug from Barbara who was still wearing her lucky shawl.

Margaret Anne explained: “I made their shawls to celebrate five years of business. The different traditional patterns on the shawls are from original fishermans gansays made by my grandma.”

The competition was very close and last year’s winners, Cuigeal from Mull, won second place after putting on another fantastic performance. Còmhlan Luadh Bhàideanach were third.