A TORCHLIT parade will tonight announce the arrival of Gaeldom's premier festival in Paisley.
For the first time in its 121-year history, the Royal National Mod, an eight-day celebration of Gaelic music, dance, drama, arts and literature, will be held in the Renfrewshire town.
Up to 10,000 participants and spectators could arrive from as far away as Abu Dhabi, Canada and the USA.
According to An Comunn Gaidhealach president John Macleod, the numbers pay testimony to the impact of Gaelic education.
He said: "We have almost 3000 entries. It is near the sort of record levels we get when we go to Oban. The numbers reflect the proximity to Glasgow, which has a large Gaelic-speaking population."
He said the fact 1900 entries would be juniors and 1100 would be seniors demonstrated the importance of youngsters learning the language.
He said: "The 2011 Census figures showed an increase among that younger age group, particularly up to early teens. There is a sense of optimism, and it is reflected in the attendance at the Royal National Mod."
He stressed that the 3000 entries understated the number of participants as each choir was treated as a single entry.
He said: "We have 36 adult choirs with up to 30 in each and 29 junior with up to 25. Then we have the likes of the drama and folk groups treated as a single entry."
One of the first events will take place on the shinty pitch when Kyles Athletic play Glasgow Mid Argyll for the Mod Cup. It is always staged between the two teams closest to the Mod venue. There is now a Mod Football Cup Final which will be contested between Paisley FC and Gaels of Glasgow Island FC.
The fiddlers rally is also hosted over the weekend with hundreds of musicians participating.
On Tuesday, the Princess Royal will visit the Mod, looking in on some of the junior competitions.
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