COMPETITORS from far and wide, sponsors, supporters and volunteers gathered in Fort William on Friday night, October 13, to celebrate the opening of the Royal National Mòd 2017.
A reception in the town’s Lime Tree Gallery was followed by a torchlight procession to the Nevis Centre for the opening ceremony which included music from Lochaber Gaelic Choir, Robert Robertson, Ross Wilson, Moira Robertson, Pipe Major of Lochaber Pipe Band, and Na H-Òganaich.
After an introduction by BBC Alba presenter Kirsteen MacDonald, Alister Mackinnon of The Highland Council, Brian Fulton of sponsor Caledonian MacBrayne, John Swinney, Deputy First Minister of Scotland and Allan Campbell, president of An Comunn Gàidhealach addressed the crowd before Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, declared the Mòd open.