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A NEW study has shown that the 2014 Am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail, or the Royal National Mòd, generated £3,547,661 for Inverness - over a £1m more than the event's target.

The report, by The Market Specialists, shows the nine day festival, which took place from October 10 to 18, entertained over 9000 visitors, 78% of whom came from outside the city.

Of these, 67% were in Inverness with the sole purpose of attending The Mòd. Findings from the 2014 festival show there was a significant return on Highland Council's investment in the event, with £19 spent for every £1 invested in their area.

The Mòd is is now in its 123rd year and is hosted by a different town or city each year. The 2015 event will take place from October 9-17 in Oban.

acgmod.org

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THE BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra will become the first professional symphony orchestra to take up residency in Skye when the musicians arrive en masse for three days this month.

Over the three days, the BBC SSO will stage a series of concerts, surprise performances and interactive workshops on the island from February 11-13.

During the residency, 'pop up' performances will take place across the island in addition to two concerts for primary and secondary pupils as part of the BBC's nationwide Ten Pieces project.

There will also be workshops for pupils from all the islands' primary schools, as well as Portree High School and Sabhal Mor Ostaig college students. The culmination of the residency is a public concert on February 13 which will be the first time a full professional symphony orchestra has performed on Skye. At the Friday evening public concert, the BBC SSO will be conducted by Jessica Cottis (pictured) with soloist Richard Watkins at Portree High School.

Gavin Reid, director of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra said: "The orchestra is committed to performing throughout Scotland and to reaching as wide an audience as possible."

Tickets for the concert at Portree High School, Skye on 13 February are available now.

bbc.co.uk/bbcsso

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CELTIC Connections attendances reached over 100,000 for the eighth year in a row and grossed ticket sales that topped £1.1million. Highlights of Celtic Connections 2015 included a sold-out opening concert with the live world première of Martyn Bennett's final masterpiece Grit.

Music fans attended approximately 300 concerts, ceilidhs, free events, late night sessions and workshops, which took place in over 20 venues across Glasgow over 18 days.

celticconnections.com