mod

Traditional Scottish annual arts festival, similar to the Welsh eisteddfod. Mods are held in the autumn and prizes are awarded for Gaelic compositions, both literary and musical, recitation, singing, and playing.

Most of the competitions reflect the tastes of Gaelic exiles living in the industrial lowlands and have little connection with traditional forms. However, attempts have been made to correct this imbalance. The Provincial and National Mods are organized by An Comunn Gaidhealach (the Highland Association); they serve an important function as a visible rallying point for Gaelic.

‘Mod’ is a Gaelic word said to derive from the Norse and equivalent to the Old English ‘moot’ (as in ‘moot‐hill’, a place of meeting). In ancient times it was specially connected with the holding of justiciary courts.