THE Royal National Mod has produced a locally born winner after a teenager won the prestigious Gaelic Learner of the Year award at the event in Paisley.
Alasdair Mulholland, 18, who hails from the Renfrewshire town, was originally learning Russian.
He was given the honour by An Comunn Gàidhealach at the Gaelic festival yesterday.
Alasdair, who now lives in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, is recognised for his steep curve in achieving a very high standard of the Gaelic language in a short time.
He started learning Gaelic just two years ago when attending Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy and sat his intermediate two exam. His teacher, Finlay MacSween, recognised his potential and recommended he pursue his learning further.
Alasdair jumped at the chance and spent a week's intensive learning at the Gaelic College of Arts and Crafts in Cape Breton, Canada in 2012. When he returned, he took a leap in his learning his teachers recommended he skip the Higher grade move straight on to the Advanced Higher in Gaelic, and he passed with flying colours.
He said: "Originally I'd been learning Russian at school and I wanted to try a new language.
"We're surrounded by lots of hills and mountains, and I saw all of the hill names and strong Gaelic heritage and wanted to understand the history more. It was one of the hardest languages to, learn however after starting I really enjoyed it. It's got me interested in the culture, music and songs, and particularly literature.
"My teacher Finlay MacSween was a great advocate for Gaelic literature such as Derek Thomson and Sorley MacLean."
The award is sponsored by the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland, Moreen MacLennan & Hazel MacLeod, Sir E Scott School.
Mod results
ORAL (FLUENT SPEAKERS)
C142 Poetry Recitation (16-18)
1 Sim MacDhòmhnaill, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig. 2 Alison MacVicar, Ard-sgoil an Obain. 3 Sarah MacDonald, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C92 (13-15) 1 Gillian Maclean, Sgoil Shiaboist. 2 Ally Weir, Ard-sgoil Lochabair. 3 Eilidh Jenkins, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C42A (11-12) 1 Dòmhnall Lachlann Peutan, Bun-sgoil Cnoc na Creige. 2 Cameron MacDhòmhnaill, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig. 3 (equal) Seumas Scullion, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, and Rona MacLeod, Tain Royal Academy.
C42 (9-10) 1 Alice Nic a' Mhaoilein, Còisir Og an Rubha. 2 Rhiannon Kilpatrick, Bun-sgoil Chondobhrait. 3 Eòin Coinneach Cuimeanach, Bun-sgoil Gheàrrloch.
C22A (7-8) 1 Daniel MacLeod, Sgoil a' Bhac. 2 Anndra Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. 3 Molly Fox, Bun-sgoil Stafainn.
C22 (5-6) (Rev Donald Stewart, Duntulm, Memorial Quaich)
1 Islay Scott, Sir E Scott School. 2 Maria Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. 3 David Ralston, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C91 Storytelling (13-15)
1 Ally Weir, Àrd-sgoil Lochabair. 2 Catriona Bain, Sgoil MhicNeacail. 3 Pòl Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C41A (11-12)
1 Isla NicLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn. 2 Ceitidh McLuskey, Àrd-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig. 3 Ruairidh Gray, Sgoil Dhalabroig.
C41 (9-10) 1 Marion Mary MacCorquodale, Uibhist a Tuath. 2 Erin NicIlliosa, Bun-sgoil Stafainn. 3 Eilidh Quinn, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C21A (7-8) (Alasdair MacInnes Cup)
1 Anndra Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. 2 Molly Fox, Bun-sgoil Stafainn. 3 Dòmhnall MacGriogair, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C21 (5-6) 1 Maria Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. 2 Aoife Rosa Gibb, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce. 3 Eilidh MacDonald, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.
C89 Folk Tale (13-15) 1 Christina Gorman, Paisley. 2 Mìcheal Callan, The High School of Glasgow. 3 Mara Drysdale, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.
C39 (9-12) 1 Cathal Callan, The High School of Glasgow. 2 Màiri Callan, The High School of Glasgow. 3 Laura Penman, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.
VOCAL SOLOS (FLUENT SPEAKERS)
C95 Girls (13-15) (An Comunn Gaidhealach Silver Medal)
1 Emma MacLeod, Sir E Scott School. 2 Christina Gorman, Paisley. 3 (equal) Rebekah MacLeod, Sir E Scott School, and Koren Murray Pickering, Sgoil MhicNeacail.
C44A (11-12)
1 Megan o' Donnell, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. 2 Tawana Maramba, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce. 3 Peigi Barker, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis.
C44 (9-10) (Nancy Craik Memorial Trophy)
1 Rhiannon Kilpatrick, Bun-sgoil Chondobhrait. 2 Alice Nic a' Mhaoilein, Còisir Og an Rubha. 3 (equal) Eilidh O'Donnell, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis, and Eilidh Lamb, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce.
C96 Boys (13-15) (An Comunn Gaidhealach Silver Medal)
1 Mìcheal Callan, The High School of Glasgow. 2 Calum MacNeacail, Sgoil MhicNeacail. 3 Duncan MacLeod, Tain Royal Academy.
C45A (11-12) 1 Rory MacDiarmid, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. 2 Iain MacCarmaig, Bun-sgoil Phortrìgh. 3 Ruairidh Gray, Sgoil Dhalabroig.
C45 (9-10) 1 Cathal Callan, The High School of Glasgow Junior School. 2 Hamish Scott, Sir E Scott School. 3 Eòsaph Caimbeul, An Caol.
C23A Boys and Girls (7-8)
1 Ross MacLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn. 2 Hannah Russell, Bun-sgoil Chondobhrait. 3 (equal) Ellie Logie, Bun-sgoil Chondobhrait, and Euan Douglas, Còisir Og Shruighlea.
C23 (5-6) 1 Islay Scott, Sir E Scott School. 2 Maria Monk, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. 3 David Ralston, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C145 Traditional: Girls (16-18) (Hugh and Rachel Morrison Taylor Trophy) 1 Katie Graham, Sgoil MhicNeacail. 2 Isabelle Bain, Sgoil MhicNeacail. 3 Eilidh NicCarmaig, Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
C94A Girls (13-15)
1 Amy MacKay, Sir E Scott School. 2 Màiri MacLennan, Sgoil MhicNeacail. 3 Rebekah MacLeod, Sir E Scott School.
C94B Boys (13-15)
1 Calum MacNeacail, Sgoil MhicNeacail. 2 Mìcheal Callan, The High School of Glasgow. 3 Alex John Moireasdan, Sgoil MhicNeacail.
C70A Girls (under 13)
1 Isla NicLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn. 2 Màiri Callan, The High School of Glasgow. 3 Sandi Maclean, Ard-sgoil Gheàrrloch.
C70B Boys (under 13)
1 Rory MacDiarmid, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu. 2 Samuel MacAoidh, Sgoil an Taobh Siar. 3 (equal) Iain MacCarmaig, Bun-sgoil Phortrìgh, and Cameron MacLennan, Bun-sgoil Gheàrrloch.
TSB Scotland Shield (C70A and C70B) - Rory MacDiarmid, Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
VOCAL SOLOS (FLUENT and LEARNERS)
C155 Girls (16-18)
1 Mairi MacGillivray, Còisir Og Ghàidhlig Ile. 2 Siobhan MacNab, Còisir Og Ghàidhlig Ile. 3 Eilidh NicCarmaig, Àrd-sgoil Phort Rìgh.
C156 Boys (16-18) 1 Sìm MacDhòmhnaill, Ard-sgoil Sheumais Ghilleasbaig.
Turriff Trophy for Gaelic (C155 and C156) - Mairi MacGillivray, Còisir Og Ghàidhlig Ile.
Meryl Mae Stewart Memorial Trophy for music (C155 and C156) - Mairi MacGillivray, Còisir Og Ghàidhlig Ile.
Highland Society of London Trophy (C155 and C156) - Mairi MacGillivray, Còisir Og Ghàidhlig Ile.
C171B Precenting a Psalm (Under 19) (Allan C. MacLeod Memorial Trophy) 1 Calum MacNeacail, Sgoil MhicNeacail. 2 Katy Graham, Sgoil MhicNeacail. 3 Isabelle Bain, Sgoil MhicNeacail.
C171A (under 13) (Jonathan MacDonald, Kilmuir, Trophy) 1 Isla NicLeòid, Bun-sgoil Stafainn. 2 Erin NicIlliosa, Bun-sgoil Stafainn. 3 Gemma MacRitchie, Sgoil Lionail.
DUETS (FLUENT SPEAKERS)
C144 (16-18) 1 Moreen MacLennan & Hazel MacLeod, Sir E Scott School.
C97 (13-15) 1 Mikaela Carmichael & Duncan Carmichael, Àrd-sgoil Sheumais Gilleasbaig. 2 Shannon MacLean & Bethan Sexton, Comunn Gàidhealach Mhuile. 3 Brìghde Chaimbeul & Ciorstaidh Chaimbeul, An Caol.
C74 (under 13) 1 Tawana Maramba & Iris MacLeod, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce. 2 Lili McShea & Eilidh Lamb, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce. 3 Faith Elson & Kirstyn Howarth, Rionnagan Rois.
JUNIOR COMPETITIONS
FOLK GROUPS (OPEN)
C172 (under 19) (Allan Thomas Mitchell Trophy) 1 Na Deep-fried Mars Bars. 2 Na Seudan. 3 Tàirneanaich.
C172A (under 13) (Murdo MacFarlane Trophy) 1 Caileagan Beaga an Rubha. 2 Còmhlan-ciùil BSGI - A' Chlann Nighean. 3 Sgoil Shiaboist.
WAULKING SONG
C180 (under 19) (Harris Tweed Authority Award) 1 Clann Thròndairnis. 2 Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis.
DRAMA (OPEN)
C170A (under 19) (John Niven Anderson Memorial Trophy) 1 Tàirneanaich. 2 Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu.
C87A (under 13) (Donald MacDonald Memorial Trophy)
1 Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu Group A.
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