Highland Dancers 'fling' their hats into the ring at Oban Mòd

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