Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider WED 30TH APR 2025    11:18:52 AM BST
This site uses cookies, by continuing to use this site you accept the terms of our privacy policy
Back To Top
Caithness.Org Quick Links
Home
Construction
Leisure
Manufacturing
Misc.
Primary
Professional
Public
Retail
Tourism
Transport
Site Map
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Feed 2.0 Loading...

MÒD 2014 GENERATES MORE THAN £3.5 MILLION

3rd February 2015

A study has shown that the 2014 Royal National Mòd generated £3,547,661 to the business community in Inverness - over a £1million more than the event target.

The report, delivered by ‘The Market Specialists' shows the nine day festival, which took place from 10-18 October 2014 in Inverness, entertained over 9000 unique visitors, 78% of which came from outside the host city. 67% were in Inverness with the sole purpose of attending The Mòd, while 25% lived in the Highland Capital.

Organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach, the event is the most significant of the Gaelic language in Scotland. The figures are testament to The Mòd’s importance, not only to Scotland’s cultural calendar but to its economy too, as 74% of attendees revealed they would not have taken a trip during that week, had it not been for the festival.

The Mòd is hosted in a different town or city every year and this is to not only engage more people in Gaelic culture, but also to boost the local economy. Findings from the 2014 festival show there was huge return on Highland Council’s investment in the event, with £19 spent for every £1 invested in their governing area and this rose to £25 for every £1 invested at a local level.

The 2014 festivities were a signature event of the Highland Homecoming celebrations and saw the return of Inverness as a host area after 17 years; and its impact was unprecedented. The city’s hotels, restaurants and shops benefited with 60% of attendees staying in a hotel, guest house, rented accommodation or hostel with the average length of stay for overnight guests being 4.2 days. 62% of festival goers reported going shopping at least once (25% on "most days") while 59% visited pubs at least once (24% “most days”) and 86% ate out at least once (55% on “most days”).

200 competitions took place during The Mòd, whilst almost 100 Fringe events added to the electric atmosphere in Inverness. Workshops, book readings, come and try sessions, concerts and gigs took place morning, noon and night across the Highland Capital. Visitors came from across Scotland, the UK, Canada and even the United Arab Emirates

The atmosphere saw 61% say the “buzz” of the festival was “well above” or “above” expectations and 59% said Inverness as a host city was also as impressive, with the same percentage indicating that they would definitely come to the city for a future holiday/short break, another 16% said they would possibly do so.

Says John Morrison, chief executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach: “We are absolutely delighted with this report, especially as it unveiled 37% of attendees are learning or want to learn Gaelic and we want to see that figure grow.

“It confirms the value of the event and the return it can have for host cities, other funders and commercial sponsors - their support is hugely valued and we need it to continue. This return may have been even greater had we received additional funding and we look forward to over-coming the obstacles that make it difficult for, in particular, Creative Scotland to financially back The Mòd, as we have never managed to secure their support.

“I must take this opportunity to thank Highland Council, together with our loyal sponsors, our local organising committee in Inverness and all our volunteers who worked so hard to make 2014 so special, but thanks especially to everyone that came to compete and attend our events - here’s to Oban in 2015, I look forward to seeing you all there”.

Martin Dorchester, Managing Director of CalMac, the Mod's principal commercial supporter, said: "We have always recognised that the Mod has a significant economic impact on the areas in which it is held as well as providing a valuable showcase for Gaelic language and culture. Everyone involved in the Inverness Mod is to be congratulated for their efforts and will be, I am sure, delighted to know that their hard work has contributed so much to the local economy."

The Mòd 2015 will take place from 9th – 17th October in Oban and is now in its 123rd year.

The Provost of Inverness, Councillor Alex Graham said: "We were delighted to host the 2014 Royal National Mod in Inverness. The outstanding success of this world class event clearly demonstrates the economic benefits of Gaelic as well as highlighting the hugely important cultural and heritage impact for the Highlands. Inverness is an ideal location for national events and festivals due to its welcoming nature, its connectivity, its excellent accommodation and hospitality and the flexible range of venues we can offer. This report reinforces the Highland Capital’s capacity to host national and international events and we will work to attract many more to the Highlands.

“We are very pleased that the public and the Council's support generated significant income for the City. This has benefitted accommodation providers, restaurants and shops and also increased the footfall in various venues during what is traditionally an off-peak time in the season. It is also important to highlight that the Mod generated extensive and positive national media coverage for the City and surrounding area.

He added "Having hosted the Mod in October and the Scottish Trad Awards in December, we now looking forward to hosting the Celtic Media Festival in April!"

Bòrd na Gàidhlig Ceannard (CEO), John Angus MacKay added: “We are pleased that our investment in An Comunn Gàidhealach not only benefits the Gaelic Language, but also creates major economic benefits wherever the Mòd goes. This further highlights the proven social and economic benefits of Gaelic as illustrated by research which we jointly funded with HIE, demonstrating that the language has a calculated potential value of between £81.6m to £148.5m a year to the Scottish economy.”

Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, contributes: “The Royal National Mòd is one of the highlights of our annual portfolio of cultural events, and this study underlines its importance to the visitor economy. The event attracts huge numbers of visitors every year, which injects money into local businesses and communities across the country. We have a longstanding relationship with the Mòd through our events directorate EventScotland, and in 2014 the event was also part of the spectacular Highland Homecoming programme, with a high percentage of visitors from outwith the city and a subsequent increased interest in learning Gaelic particularly encouraging.”

In 2014 The Royal National Mòd was supported by The Highland Council, HIE, Caledonian MacBrayne, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, EventScotland, the Royal Bank of Scotland, SQA, BBC ALBA, the Scottish Government and Royal Mail.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership unveils ten-year strategy for regional growth
The Highlands and Islands Regional Economic Partnership (HIREP)'s Regional Economic Strategy addresses the challenges affecting the region's businesses and communities.   A partnership of public, private and academic organisations in the Highlands and Islands has unveiled its ten-year strategy to deliver sustainable economic growth across the region.  
Yesterday
BT consultation on the removal of 110 payphones in Highland including several in CaithnessThumbnail for article : BT consultation on the removal of 110 payphones in Highland including several in Caithness
BT has launched a consultation on the removal of 110 public payphones in Highland which they state are no longer needed.   Details of the payphones being considered for closure are set out in the list at this link.  
24/4/2025
The Highland Council must focus on delivering its ambitions for the regionThumbnail for article : The Highland Council must focus on delivering its ambitions for the region
An ambitious plan to improve transport, roads and buildings, as well as a greater shift to using digital to deliver services, has the potential to transform the Highland Council's services over the next 20 years.   Delivering its capital programme could prove challenging.  
23/4/2025
"Call" for Development Sites in Highland - deadline approaching
Anyone wishing to gain Council endorsement of a significant building project in Highland should consider responding to the current Call for Development Sites.   Every 10 years, each council in Scotland must, for its area, prepare a planning document called a local development plan.  
22/4/2025
Highland Council appoints Chief Officer Education - Primary and Early YearsThumbnail for article : Highland Council appoints Chief Officer Education - Primary and Early Years
The Highland Council has appointed Bernadette Scott as Chief Officer Education - Primary and Early Years.   The appointment completes the new senior management structure of the Council's People Service Cluster under the leadership of Kate Lackie, Assistant Chief Executive – People.  
22/4/2025
Timetable for Highland Council By-Elections Confirmed
The timetable for the election of one Councillor to represent Ward 6 Cromarty Firth and one Councillor for Ward 10 Eilean a' Cheò on The Highland Council has been confirmed.   The by-elections are being held following the resignations of former Councillors Maxine Smith from Ward 6 and Calum Munro from Ward 10.  
14/4/2025
Council's In-house Bus Service expands into CaithnessThumbnail for article : Council's In-house Bus Service expands into Caithness
The Highland Council is pleased to announce that from Monday 21 April it's in-house bus team will be delivering the 918 Wick to Berriedale service.   This is the first venture for the in-house bus company outside of the Inverness area since the successful introduction and launch of Highland Council Buses.  
14/4/2025
The closure of radio teleswitching explained
The Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) is due to end on Monday 30 June 2025.   If your electricity meter uses RTS, it must be replaced.  
9/4/2025
Convener thanks those who took part in Highland Visitor Levy Consultation and confirms next steps
Following the conclusion of the public consultation on the possible introduction of a visitor levy for the Highlands, the Council Convener has thanked everyone who submitted responses and confirmed the next steps to be taken.   The Council held a series of webinars, community drop-in events, face to face public sessions and business events as part of the consultation process.  
2/4/2025
Highland screen industry attracts over £3.5M growth in direct film spendThumbnail for article : Highland screen industry attracts over £3.5M growth in direct film spend
Continuing with the trend over the past few years, Highland has seen the highest ever direct spend recorded for filming in The Highland Council region.  In 2024, figures surpassed previous years to reach over £3.5million in direct spend.