Highland dancers from all over Scotland took part in today’s competitions at The Royal National Mòd and there were multiple west coast winners.
Throughout the day contenders competed in different categories based on age and ability, and performed different dances before the judges such as the Highland Fling and the Scottish Lilt.
Patricia Mallon,10, from Benbecula was very proud to win the Novice 10-11 years trophy at her first ever mainland competition. She attends Mairi MacLean School of Dance and having already built up some experience at the local Uist Mòd and the Barra Mòd she was feeling “50/50” about her chances of winning today.
Her mum Marion Garbutt said: “I just enjoyed watching her and I’m very proud. I wasn’t expecting much from the day because there were so many in the group.”
She added: “I was quite nervous watching.”
One of the youngest competitors brave enough to perform at the competition was Skye Morrison from Tobermory who was runner up in the Primary five years section. Skye has been learning Highland dance for just over a year and while other girls practised nervously at the sidelines of the hall, she was completely unfazed.
Her mum Islay said: "I was nervous but she didn’t seem to be worried at all."
This was Skye’s second competition after having danced at the Mull Highland Games in July and her Granny explained that Skye is following in her footsteps as she was also a Highland dancer back in her day.
She said: "It’s quite nice that she’s following on from me."
Annie Bullock, from Loch Awe, who attends the Sinclair School of Dance in Connel, had a big grin on her face after winning the Beginner 10 years competition. This was her first time competing at The Royal National Mòd and her parents were “delighted and so proud”.
Annie’s older brother Alasdair had already won third place in the Bagpipes Ground of Pìobaireachd Under-16 competition on Saturday.
Her dad Stephen laughed: “She’s always trying to catch up with his achievements and now she’s trying to edge him out with her trophy.”
Sophia Osborne, nine, who goes to Appin School of Dance, won the Novice 7-9 years Highland Dancing competition today. This was her second time competing as a novice and her first time competing at a Royal National Mòd.
Sophia’s family are from Wales but they moved to Appin four years ago.
Her mum Cassie said: “I’m so proud. I was fighting the tears back because her granny is originally from Scotland and it’s quite emotional.”
In the afternoon the Premier dancers - the highest rank of competitors - took to the floor and one of the most impressive dances was the Sailors’ Hornpipe, which required a quick costume change and impressive footwork.
Abigail McAllister, 11, from Campbeltown won the Premier 9-12 years competition, a brilliant feat considering it was her first time entering a Royal National Mòd.
Her mum said: "She did amazing as always. It’s a school holiday and we live nearby in Campbeltown so we thought we would come for a day out."
Results:
Beginner
Beginner 6-7 yrs
1 - Aisla Thomson, Greenock
2 - Liona MacInnes, South Uist
Beginner 8-9 yrs
1 - Rebecca Macfarlane, Aberdeenshire
2 - Orlaith Collings, Dunoon
Beginner 10 yrs
1 - Annie Bullock, Argyll
2 - Daisy Brown, Isle of Barra
Beginner 12-15 yrs
1 - Ella-mae McInairnie, Bute
2 - Isla Ovenstone, Stornoway
Novice
Novice 7-9 yrs
1 - Sophia Osborne, Oban
2 - Eloise Clark, Inverness
Novice 10-11 yrs
1 - Patricia Mallon, Isle of Benbecula
2 - Ani MacArthur, Dingwall
Novice 12-15 yrs
1 - Casey Duffy, Oban
2 - Miryam Mocanu, Isle of Harris
Intermediate
Intermediate 8-11 yrs
1 - Kara Robinson, Edinburgh
2 - Ella Luh Jeffrey, Fort William
Intermediate 12-13 yrs
1 - Bella Man, Fort William
2 - Alayna Baxter, Oban
Intermediate 14-18 yrs
1 - Keira Doyle, Larkhall
2 - Keira Carney, Argyll
Primary
Primary 4 yrs
1 - Emilia Clark, Inverness
2 - Nicole Waddell, Castlebay
Primary 5 yrs
1 - Lily Clark, Argyll
2 - Skye Morrison, Tobermory Isle of Mull
Primary 6 yrs
1 - Hugo Taylor, Glasgow
2 - Lucy Matilda Clark, Argyll
Premier
Premier 9-12 yrs
1 - Abigail McAllister, Campbeltown
2 - Erin Cait Atkinson, Inverness
Premier 13-14 yrs
1 - Olivia Buchanan, Paisley
2 - Rowen McLeod, Doune
Premier 15-23 yrs
1 - Gabriella Birkmyre, Glasgow
2 - Mary MacColl, Lesmahagow
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