THE Mod's return to the Highlands has been greeted with an increase in

entries for competitions.

For two years the Royal National Mod was held in the central belt and

entries dropped. But with the festival being staged in Golspie,

Sutherland, there are many more competitors as 10,000 Gaels flock to

their biggest event of the year.

Nearly two thousand singers, musicians, and dancers will vie for

awards.

Hotels, boarding houses, and caravan parks for miles around are filled

with choirs, pipers, soloists, and judges.

Results from Saturday. Piping: Ceol Mor (pibroch) (James R Johnston

Memorial Quaich): 1, Dr A MacDonald, Skye; 2, Iain Macey, Aylesbury; 3,

Arthur Gillies, Argyll. Ceol Beag (march, Strathspey, and reel): 1,

Stewart Liddell, Argyll; 2, Dr A MacDonald, Skye; 3, Angus McColl, Oban.

Sheelah J Nicol Memorial Trophy: Dr A MacDonald, Skye.

March (age 15-18): (Royal Highland Fusiliers Cup): 1, Carol A MacKay,

Strathy West; 2, Gordon MacLean, Balfron; 3, Glyn Morris, Kingussie.

Strathspey and Reel (age 15-18) (Colonel Murdoch MacTaggart, Bowmore,

Memorial Trophy): 1, Carol A MacKay, Strathy West; 2, Stuart Cassells,

Falkirk; 3, Mark Wemyss, Dingwall; March (under 15) (Roderick Munro

Trophy): 1, Ruth Henderson, Sutherland; 2, Ewen MacKay, Sutherland; 3,

Callum Kirk, Airdrie.

Solo fiddle: (age 13-18) (Robert McCallum Memorial Trophy): 1, Ruaridh

Campbell, Stirling; 2, Katherine Liley, Portree High School; 3, Carol

Ella, Wick. (Under 13): 1, Michael Vass, Nairn; 2, Anna Massie,

Fortrose; 3, Maresa MacBeath. Lomond School Open (Sutherland Cup): 1,

Maurice Duncan, Oban; 2, Duncan Dyker, Inverness; 3, Sarah-Jane Summers,

Inverness.

Fiddle groups: Dr and Mrs Atholl Robertson Trophy: 1, The Ness

Lassies; 2, Na Gruaimaich; 3, Am Feochan. (Under 18): 1, Fidhlirean

Throndairnis; 2, Gizzenbriggs Fiddle Group.

Accordion: Junior (Daniel Burt Memorial Trophy): 1, James Ross, Wick;

2, Nicola Marshall, Golspie High School; 3, Karl Lewis MacRae, Golspie.

Senior (Donnie Murray, Bragar, Memorial Prize): 1, Alexander Morrison,

Forres; 2, Jonathan Campbell, Kirkintilloch.

Piano: Aberdeenshire Targe: 1, Gillian Scouller, Skelmorlie.