Lochaber choir success heralds home Mòd

Còisir Ghàidhlig Loch Abar, in its first year conducted by Ardgour musician Mary Ann Kennedy, came second, scoring 363 points, ahead of seven Area Choirs competing for the coveted Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy in Oban’s packed Corran Halls on Friday October 18.

Lochaber Gaelic Choir was pipped at the post by Còisir Ghàidhlig Bhaile a’ Ghobhainn (Goven Gaelic Choir) on 364 points. But the choir shared the John McNicol Memorial Trophy for the highest Gaelic marks with the third-placed choir, Còisir Ghàidhlig an Eilein Duibh (Black Isle Gaelic Choir).

The choir’s Gaelic Reader, Carolyn Groat, said: “I am so immensely proud of the choir. Their hard work and willingness to learn has really paid off! I’m thrilled with the trophy for highest marks in Gaelic, but the achievement is a credit to the choir themselves — they put in the graft to get to this level. 

"In our current line-up, with a majority of learners of the language and non-Gaelic speakers, we faced new challenges, which makes receiving the trophy for Gaelic even more rewarding. 

"It has been fantastic working with Mary Ann Kennedy this year — a wealth of knowledge, a stalwart in Gaelic music, and just a Corran Ferry away. We are very lucky to have her as our conductor and we’ve already started our preparations for a home Mòd in 2025. Suas leis a’ Ghàidhlig!”

Echoing Carolyn’s words, Mary Ann added: "We know how difficult it is to get momentum going in a choir that’s starting out again after a long break from competition, so it was such a pleasure to see their commitment and musicality rewarded with such an encouraging result. 

"Now of course, we have to look forward to Lochaber 2025 and think on something very special to bring to the table for a hometown Mòd!"