Festival cooks up a treat

PIPING, fiddling, Gaelic singing and ... scones? Mod Shruighlea (Stirling Provincial Mod) has introduced a new, one-off competition this year - to find the best traditional home baker.

The festival in May, which celebrates Gaelic culture, is, of course, still seeking entries in all of its standard competitions - including piping, chanter, fiddle and a variety of solo, duet and choral singing events - and entries for these must be received by March 31.

However, this year there will also be an opportunity to impress the judges with anything from perfect pancakes to quality clootie.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Entries convener Rhona Morrison said: "Traditional home baking is very strong among the Gaels and to celebrate and encourage this wonderful tradition we've introduced this baking competition and will be rewarding the best example; it could be a scone, a pancake, a duff, an oatcake – it just has to be simple and delicious."

Following the success of last year's Runrig competition, which captured the imagination of many first-time entrants, there will be another open competition.

This means soloists could find themselves up against choirs, instrumental groups or a mixed group - the only stipulation being that the song must be a Gaelic spiritual song.

Rhona said: "Last year's Runrig competition was hugely successful and because it was so varied many people said it was more like a concert than a formal competition.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"However, the heart of the event will always be our traditional competitions and we are pleased that entries are remaining high for our Mod."

Mod Shruiglea is on Friday, May 14, in St Modan's High School and Saturday, May 15, in and around the Albert Halls, Stirling.

Entries must be received by March 31, except the home baking competition, for which entries must be completed by Saturday, May 15, before 10.30am.

For details of how to take part in the event, contact Rhona Morrison on 0141 334 0649 or e-mail modshruighlea @googlemail.com.