THE Badenoch Waulking Group were celebrating last night after winning a traditional Gaelic song competition at the Royal National Mod at Dunoon.

Ann Smart of the group posed with the Harris Tweed Authority Trophy, above, after coming first in the Waulking Song contest, the latest of the prizes given out at the annual celebration of Gaelic music and culture.

Waulking songs are traditionally sung by women while beating newly woven tweed rhythmically against a table or similar surface to soften it.

The men's and women's traditional singing winners were also announced.

Cairstiona Stone, who is from Lewis but now lives in Caithness, and Alex MacDonald, of Breascleit, Lewis, won the awards.

The eight-day celebratory festival, which is now in its 120th year, draws to a close today with thousands of competitors and visitors enjoying the unique event.

It is estimated the Mod, organised by An Comunn Gaidhealach, the oldest Gaelic-speaking organisation in the world, will have generated between £3 million and £5m for the Dunoon economy.

RESULTS

VOCAL SOLOS

GS224 Gold Medal Final (Women): 1 Eilidh J Davies, Invergarry; 2 Sandy NicDhomhnaill Jones, Uibhist a Deas; 3 Rachel Walker, Gairlochy; 4 Isabel NicLeoid, Carlabhagh.

GS224 Gold Medal Final (Men): 1 Calum MacLeoid, Dun Eideann; 2 John Howieson, Portree; 3 Ruaraidh MacIntyre, Glasgow; 4 Iain Gordon, Nairn.

Donald Thomson Prizes for Gaelic (A220, A221, A222, A223 and GS224): Women: 1 Eilidh J Davies, Invergarry; 2 (equal) Isabel NicLeoid, Carlabhagh; Rachel Walker, Gairlochy; and Sandy NicDhomhnaill Jones, Uibhist a Deas.

Men: 1 Calum MacLeoid, Dun Eideann; 2 Ruaraidh MacIntyre, Glasgow.

Gilbert MacPhail Prizes for Music (A221, A223 and GS224): 1 Calum MacLeoid, Dun Eideann; 2 John Howieson, Portree.

An Comunn Gaidhealach Prize for Music (A220, A222 and GS224): 1 Sandy NicDhomhnaill Jones, Uibhist a Deas; 2 Rachel Walker, Gairlochy.

RURAL CHOIRS

A300 Lorn Shield: 1 Coisir Sgir a 'Bhac; 2 Coisir Ghaidhlig Charlabhaigh; 3 Lochs Gaelic Choir.

Dalriada Cup for Gaelic: Coisir Sgir a 'Bhac.

Captain Angus Stewart Trophy for Music: Coisir Sgir a 'Bhac.

Mrs Catherine C. MacDonald Silver Baton: Avril Duncan, Coisir Sgir a 'Bhac.

A303 Sheriff MacMaster Campbell Memorial Quaich: 1 Coisir Ghaidhlig Tairbeart Loch Fin; 2 Lairg Gaelic Choir; 3 Coisir Ghaidhlig an Eilein Mhuilich.

Selma Shield for Gaelic: Lairg Gaelic Choir.

Grace Robertson Memorial Baton for Music - Elizabeth Jack, Coisir Ghaidhlig an Eilein Mhuilich.

DRAMA

"West Highland Free Press" Quaich (premier award): Buidheann Drama Chille Mhoire.

Susan B. MacDonald Trophy (best producer): Nanag Skivington, Sgioba Drama Uibhist.

Strathspey Highland Malt Whisky Trophy (best stage presentation): Buidheann Drama Chille Mhoire.

Dr Lynn Hagman Memorial Trophy (best actress): Beth Frieden, Theatar Da-Shealladh.

Dr Lynn Hagman Memorial Trophy (best actor): Seumas Domhnallach, Buidheann Drama Chille Mhoire.

Badenoch Shield (best original Gaelic play of the year): Iain Domhnallach, Buidheann Drama Chille Mhoire.

Art MacLeod Memorial Trophy (best acted play): Sgioba Drama Uibhist.

CHORAL

A301 Lovat and Tullibardine Shield: 1 Dingwall Gaelic Choir; 2 Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association; 3 Coisir Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis; 4 Coisir Ghaidhlig an Obain.

"Weekly Scotsman" Quaich for Gaelic: Dingwall Gaelic Choir.

Donald J MacAskill Trophy for Gaelic: Dingwall Gaelic Choir.

"Oban Times" Silver Salver for music: Dingwall Gaelic Choir.

Malcolm G. MacCallum Silver Baton for conductor of winning choir: Kirsteen Menzies.

Donald Thomson Memorial Quaich for Gaelic tutor of choir with highest marks in Gaelic: Uisdean MacRath.

A304 Women's Choirs (Esme Smyth Trophy): 1 Atomaig Piseag; 2 Dingwall Gaelic Choir; 3 Glasgow Islay Gaelic Choir.

Donald U. Johnston Trophy for Gaelic: Atomaig Piseag.

Angus Johnston Trophy for Music: Atomaig Piseag.

A307 Men's Choirs (Mull and Iona Shield)

1 Coilich a' Chinn a Tuath; 2 Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association; 3 Coisir Ceann an Tuirc.

Glen Ballachulish Trophy for Gaelic: Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association.

Cor Meibion Bro Glyndwr Trophy for music: Coilich a' Chinn a Tuath.

Hector Russell Dirk for conductor of winning choir: Marlene Yule.

A308 Puirt-a-Beul (Greenock Gaelic Choir Cup): 1 Coisir Ghaidhlig Inbhir Nis; 2 Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association; 3 Dingwall Gaelic Choir; 4 Govan Gaelic Choir; 5 Aberfeldy & District Gaelic Choir.

Colin Grant Sangster Silver Baton for conductor of winning choir: Mary Ann Kennedy.

J. Norman McConochie Trophy for music (A301, A304, A307 and A 308): Dingwall Gaelic Choir.

Rev William MacDonald Memorial Quaich for Gaelic (A301, A304, A307 and A308): Glasgow Gaelic Musical Association.

Hugh MacCowan Trophy (best Argyll choir): Coisir Ghaidhlig Ile.

A302 Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy: 1 Aberfeldy & District Gaelic Choir; 2 Largs Gaelic Choir; 3 Nairn Gaelic Choir; 4 Coisir Sgire Phort Righ.

John McNicol Trophy for Gaelic: Aberfeldy & District Gaelic Choir.

Stafffinders Quaich for Music: Aberfeldy & District Gaelic Choir.

An Comunn Silver Bator for conductor of winning choir: May Brown.

A278 Waulking Song (Harris Tweed Authority Trophy): 1 Comhlan Luaidh Bhaideanach; 2 Luadh le Mire.

VOCAL SOLOS

TS232 Traditional Final (Mary Lamont Gold Medal)

Women: 1 Cairistiona Stone, Caithness

2. Alison NicAnnain, Glasgow; 3 Isabel NicLeoid, Carlabhagh; 4 (equal) Ceitlin L R Smith, Isle of Lewis, and Clare Jordan, Isle of Islay.

Men: 1 Alex MacDonald, North Lanarkshire; 2 Ruairidh MacCarmaig, Isle of Skye; 3 Tormod MacLeoid, Carlabhagh; 4 Iain Murdo MacMillan, Isle of Lewis.