The retired head teacher of Portree High School has been named Gaelic Learner of the Year at the Royal National Mòd in Inverness

The retired head teacher of Portree High School has been named Gaelic Learner of the Year at the Royal National Mòd in Inverness

While John Howieson was born in Dumfries he has always has an interest in Gaelic. After moving to Skye, where still lives, he joined Strath Gaelic Choir. But it wasn't until he retired in 2007 after 33 years' teaching that he raised his commitment to learning the language and has achieved a Gold Card level of fluency.

RESULTS - WEDNESDAY

VOCAL SOLOS

A222 Oran Mor (women) (Mr and Mrs Archibald MacDonald Memorial Trophy): 1 Eilidh NicCarmaig, Port Rìgh; 2 Ceitlin LR Smith, Eilean Leòdhais; 3 Ainsley V Hamill, Càrdanros.

Joyce Murray Trophy for Gaelic - Eilidh NicCarmaig, Port Rìgh.

A223 Oran Mor (men) (F.S. Cameron-Head Memorial Trophy): 1 Dòmhnall-Iain MacIlleDhuinn, Glaschu; 2 John Howieson, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach; 3 (equal) Iain Gordon, Inbhir Narann, and Aonghas MacLeòid, Inbhir Nis.

A270 Kennedy-Fraser Cup: 1 Anne Bennett, Dùn Deagh; 2 Nicola Pearson, Eilean Leòdhais; 3 Chelsea McLean, Ceann Loch Chille Chiarain.

A271 Sarah Weir Trophy: 1 Anne Bennett, Dùn Deagh; 2 Gordon McKeeve, Glaschu; 3 Emma A C Deans, Comar nan Allt.

A251 Learners (men) (Katie Stewart Memorial Trophy): 1 Hector MacKechnie, Samharaidh; 2 Fergus Muir, Ìle; 3 Campbell McKenzie, Steòrnabhagh.

A253 Sea Song (Bank of Scotland Cup): 1 Fergus Muir, Ìle; 2 Campbell McKenzie, Steòrnabhagh; 3 Iain Eachann Ros, Inbhir Nis.

A221 Fluent (men) (Caledonian MacBrayne Trophy): 1 Aonghas MacLeòid, Inbhir Nis; 2 Dòmhnall-Iain MacIlleDhuinn, Glaschu; 3 John Howieson, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach.

A250 Learners (women) (Margot Campbell Trophy): 1 Donna Dugdale, Tobar Mhoire; 2 Kirsten Laurie, Ìle; 3 Rena Gertz, Prestonpans.

A252 Working Song (Catherine MB Dunlop Quaich): 1 Donna Dugdale, Tobar Mhoire; 2 Sandie Kennedy, St. Andrews; 3 Sheena MacRitchie, Peairt.

A220 Fluent (women) (Mary C. MacNiven Memorial Salver): 1 Ainsley V Hamill, Càrdanros; 2 Isabel NicLeòid, Càrlabhagh; 3 Ceitlin LR Smith, Eilean Leòdhais.

A234 Fluent (men and women) ("Oban Times" Gold Medal): 1 Raonaid M. J. Deans, Comar nan Allt; 2 Linn Phipps, Eilean Leòdhais; 3 Carol MacLean, Tobar Mhoire.

A233 Puirt-a-Beul (Duncan Johnston Memorial Trophy): 1 Ceitlin L. R. Smith, Eilean Leòdhais; 2 Ainsley V Hamill, Càrdanros; 3 Lisa Anne Fiona NicDhòmhnaill, Ulapul.

A248 Traditional (learners) (George Clavey Memorial Quaich): 1 Anne Bennett, Dùn Deagh; 2 Sheena MacRitchie, Peairt; 3 (equal) Fiona Ross, Glaschu, and Hector MacKechnie, Samharaidh.

A274 Skye or Sutherland Song (John D. Gillies Memorial Trophy): 1 Anne Bennett, Dùn Deagh; 2 Catherine Tinney, Eilean Leòdhais; 3 Morven MacLeod, Inbhir Nis.

A273 Precenting a Psalm (Dr Alasdair Barden Memorial Salver): 1 Dòmhnall Macleòid, Càrlabhag.

ORAL (FLUENT SPEAKERS)

C93 Prose Reading (13-15): 1 Catriona Bain, Sgoil MhicNeacail; 2 Ceitidh Dhòmhnallach, Eilean Bharraigh; 3 Claire Frances NicNìll, Sgoil Bhàgh a' Chaisteal.

C75 (under 13): 1 Isla NicLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn; 2 Eòin Coinneach Cuimeanach, Bun-sgoil Gheàrrloch; 3 Marion MacCorquodale, Sgoil Lionacleit.

C90 Conversation (13-15): 1 Catriona Bain, Sgoil MhicNeacail; 2 Claire Frances NicNìll, Sgoil Bhàgh a' Chaisteal; 3 Kirstyn Howarth, Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis.

C40A (11-12): 1 Marion MacCorquodale, Sgoil Lionacleit; 2 Eòin Coinneach Cuimeanach, Bun-sgoil Gheàrrloch; 3 Dòmhnall Lachlann Peutan, Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige.

C40 (9-10) (Ewen Dingwall Memorial Trophy): 1 Màiri NicIain, Sgoil Phaibil; 2 Calum E MacMillan, Sgoil Dhalabroig; 3 Finlay MacLennan, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis.

C106 Bible Reading (13-15): 1 Alex John Morrison, Sgoil MhicNeacail; 2 Catriona Bain, Sgoil MhicNeacail; 3 Somhairle MhicLeòid, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.

C43 (9-10): 1 Isla NicLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn; 2 Seumas Caimbeul, Bun-sgoil Chille Mhoire; 3 Eòin Coinneach Cuimeanach, Bun-sgoil Gheàrrloch.

CLARSACH - Solos (Junior)

B320 With Gaelic Songs (Glendale Quaich): 1 Lili McShea, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce; 2 Bronwen Stahl, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce; 3 Rachel Grigor, Àrd-sgoil Boroughmuir.

B321 Beginners (Helmsdale Trophy): 1 Isabelle Davidson, Peairt; 2 Aoife-Rosa Gibb, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce; 3 Mia Mutch, Bun-sgoil Chille Mhoire.

B322 Elementary (Florence Wilson Trophy): 1 Sandy MacGregor, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce; 2 Anna Halliday, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce; 3 Mollaidh Nicholson, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.

B323 Intermediate 1 (K. Barry Milner Trophy): 1 Anna NicNeacail, Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh; 2 Katrina Cameron, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce; 3 Lili McShea, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.

B323A Intermediate 2 (Lawrence MacDuff Cup): 1 Meredith Kiemer, Aberfoyle; 2 Sheena MacGregor, Àrd-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbuig; 3 Somhairle MacLeòid, Àrd-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbuig.

B324 Advanced (Duncan Chisholm Trophy): 1 Lola Gibb Flexen, Àrd-sgoil Broughton; 2 Ciorstaidh-Sarah Chaimbeul, An Caol; 3 Catriona Clark, Àrd-sgoil Caisteal Dhùghlais.

Solos (Senior)

B325 Elementary (Jean C. Campbell Award): 1 Anne Stephen, Aberfoyle; 2 Ninetta Santoro, Bearsden; 3 Susan MacKay, Dumbarton.

B326 Advanced (Elspeth A. Hyllested Trophy): 1 Rachel Rutherford, Milngavie.

B329 Original Composition (Margaret Balfour Trophy): 1 Anna Westwell, Leith Walk Primary; 2 Laura Penman; 3 Sonny Gibb Flexen, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.

Duets

B330A (13-19) (Comunn na Clarsaich Cup): 1 Ishana Graham & Charlotte Luke, Acadamaidh Chùlodair agus Acadamaidh Rìoghail Inbhir Nis; 2 Alice Guse & Meredith Kiemer, Acadamaidh Dhùghlais.

B330 (under 13) (Lord Birsay Trophy): 1 Lola Gibb Flexen & Laura Penman, Àrd-sgoil Broughton agus Bun-sgoil Taobh Na Pairce; 2 Eilidh Lamb & Katrina Cameron, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce; 3 Bronwen Stahl & Lili McShea, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.

B333 Senior (Drumelzier Quaich): 1 Rachel Rutherford & Ruaidhri Irvine, Milngavie; 2 Ninetta Santoro & Chris Whitelaw, Bearsden; 3 Anne Stephen & Catriona Gorgas, Aberfoyle.

Duo

B336 Voice and Clarsach (Comunn na Clarsaich, Edinburgh Branch, Trophy): 1 Anna Westwell & Magnus Westwell, Àrd-sgoil Broughton agus Ard-sgoil Coille nan Ridirean.