Two of the three entrants to the Royal National Mod's first rock competition did not sing in Gaelic.

The Highlands and Islands Enterprise sponsored event saw only one band actually singing in the 'language of Eden'.

One band were strictly instrumental and another sang in English, prompting calls for a change to the rules.

Donny Munro, one of the judges and former lead singer with Gaelic rock band, Runrig, said: ''There should be a rule introduced to this competition that competing bands should have to perform at least half of their set in Gaelic.''

In the so-called Battle of the Bands at the Blue nightclub in Inverness, judges could not separate the competing groups and awarded joint first place to two.

Dryzabone, of Inverness, and Ho Ro Ghellidh, of Fort William, each got a trophy and #750.

The Royal National Mod seems certain to be turned into a two-week event by the year 2000.

Fifteen hundred children and 1000 adults this year entered the biggest Mod yet staged, in Inverness. As the 2000 Mod in Dunoon, Argyll, approaches, it is anticipated the programme will be extended to cope with numbers.

In a broader context, a world-wide appeal was launched by the Sorley Maclean Foundation at the Mod yesterday to support Gaelic language and literature.

RESULTS

Vocal Solos: Oran Mor (men) (FS Cameron-Head Trophy): 1 Sam Macdonald, Staffin; 2 Graham Neilson, Edinburgh; 3 (eq) John D. Macdonald, Point; Angus Smith, Oban; Iain T. MacUistein, An Gearasdan; John Park, Inverness; Iain MacAulay, Point.

Oran Mor (women) (Mr and Mrs Archibald MacDonald Trophy): 1 Riona Whyte, Salen; 2 Catriona MacNeill, Inverness; 3 Judith Peacock, Milngavie.

Kennedy-Fraser Cup: 1 Raymond Bremner, Coisir Ghaidhlig Ghallaibh; 2 Andrew McCowan, Houston.

Sarah Weir Trophy: 1 Kirsteen Menzies, Dingwall; 2 (eq) Lorna NicCarmaig, Portree, and Isobel Rutter, Carmunock.

Learners (men) (Alastair C Gillies Memorial Prize): 1 Iain G MacLean, Bearsden; 2 David Morrison, Invergowrie; 3 Raymond Bremner, Coisir Ghaidhlig Ghallaibh.

Bank of Scotland Cup (sea song): 1 Raymond Bremner, Coisir Ghaidhlig Ghallaibh; 2 Iain G. MacLean, Bearsden; 3 Alan Munro, London.

Fluent (men) (LCpl Lachlan MacLean Watt Prizes): 1 Seumas MacTaggart, Islay; 2 Bruce Campbell, Dunkeld; 3 Angus Smith, Oban; 4 Graham Neilson, Edinburgh.

Learners (women) (Margot Campbell Trophy): 1 Patricia Murray, Prince Edward Island; 2 Doreen Edwards-Hay, Oban; 3(eq) Gillian Ramchand, London; Dolina Munro, Fort William; Elizabeth Campbell, Erskine; and Fiona Robb, Dundee.

Catherine MB Dunlop Quaich (lullaby): 1 Patricia Murray, Prince Edward Island; 2 Wynefride M. Moir, Conon Bridge; 3 Fiona Robb, Dundee.

Fluent (women) (James Grant Prizes): 1 Alyth McCormack, Glasgow; 2 Barbara Smith, Kyle; 3 Margaret McLennan, Coisir Sgire a Bhac.

John MacArthur Memorial Trophy: Bruce Campbell, Dunkeld.

''Oban Times'' Gold Medal: 1 Barbara Smith, Kyle; 2 Fiona Dowds, Paisley.

Port-a-Beul (Duncan Johnston Trophy): 1 Margaret A Callan, Coatbridge; 2 Laura Jane Rintoul, Perth; 3 Chrissie Cumming, Inverness.

Traditional (women) (Moray Trophy): 1 Amy MacAulay, Uibhist a Deas; 2 Annabell MacDonald, Glasgow; 3 Lisa NicFhionghuinn, Oban; 4 Morag NicArtair, Shawbost.

(men): 1 Donald Martin, Lochs; 2 Tormod Mac a'Ghobhainn, Coisir Sgire a Bhac; 3 Norman Smith, Breasclete; 4 Seumas MacTaggart, Islay.

Former Prizewinners, Local Mods: 1 Raymond Bremner, Coisir Ghaidhlig Ghallaibh; 2 Gillian MacDonald, Dunkeld; 3 Andrew McCowan, Houston.

Skye or Sutherland Song (John D Gillies Trophy): 1 Lorna NicCarmaig, Portree.

Clarsach - Solos (under 18) With Gaelic Song (Glendale Quaich): 1 Mairi MacLeod, Tollcross Primary School; 2 Deirdre A Ghreumach, Portree High School; 3 Clare Anne MacNeil, Castlebay.

Beginners (Helmsdale Trophy): 1 Sally Horsey, Tollcross Primary School; 2 Judy Morrison, Tollcross Primary School; 3 Rhona Sampson, Acharacle.

Intermediate (K Barry Milner Trophy): 1 Jennifer Port, Golspie; 2 Fiona Hyslop, Linlithgow; 3 Monica MacLean, Acharacle.

Elementary (Florence Wilson Trophy): 1 Helen Lowe, Colbost; 2 Ruth Russell, Glasgow; 3 Donna Kelly, Tollcross Primary School.

Advanced (Duncan Chisholm Trophy): 1 Ailie Robertson, Edinburgh; 2 Catriona Cunningham, Edinburgh; 3 Keira Farrell, Alness.

Senior Elementary (Jean C Campbell Award): Susan Zappert, Aboyne.

Advanced (Elspeth A Hyllested Trophy): Seumas Gagne, Seattle.

Open Accompaniment (Jean Campbell Trophy): Eleanor Johnston, Edinburgh.

Original Composition (Margaret Balfour Award): Helen MacLeod, Inverinate.

Duets (Lord Birsay Trophy): 1 Eleanor Johnston/ Helen McLeod, Edinburgh; 2 Charlotte Faichney/ Maeve Gilchrist, Edinburgh; 3 Alie Robertson/ Catriona Cunningham, Edinburgh.

Ensembles (Pilgrim Harps Trophy): Ceolraidh Feis Dhun Eideann.

Former Winners (Sir Philip Christison Trophy): Eleanor Johnston, Edinburgh.

Literary Awards - Senior: 2000-Word Article: 1 DJ MacIver, Stornoway; 2 Angus McPhee, North Kessock.

Three Poems (Ailsa Trophy) - Norman MacMillan, Inverness.

Short Story: 1 DJ MacIver, Stornoway; 2 Mairi MacLean, Sgoil Lionacleit; 3 Angus MacPhee, North Kessock.

Song for Children: 1 Norman MacMillan, Inverness; 2 Anne MacDiarmid Morrison, Perth.

New Play - Angus McPhee, North Kessock.

Junior Book - Murchadh MacLeoid, Inbhirnis.

Senior Book - Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh.

Junior: Short Story (under: 16): 1 Peudar Greumach, Ardsgoil Drochaid an Easbuig; 2 Mary E Stewart, Sgoil Lionacleit.

(16-18) (Mary Stewart Gold Medal): 1 John MacLean, Sir E Scott School; 2 Ruairidh MacLean, Sgoil Lionacleit.

Poem or song (under: 16): 1 Mary E Stewart, Sgoil Lionacleit; 2 Shona McLellan, Sgoil Lionacleit.

Essay sponsored by Scottish Natural Heritage: Ailean Domhnullach, Sgoil Lionacleit.

Essay sponsored by Sabhal Mor Ostaig: Ailean Domhnullach, Sgoil Lionacleit; 2 Mairead NicDhomhnuill, Nicolson Institute.