A GROUP of talented Trotternish youngsters are getting ready to set sail across the Minch to take part in the Royal National Mòd.
The October school holidays are now underway but 18 children from the peninsula, who attend Staffin, Kilmuir and Portree primary schools – and Portree High – have been hard at work in rehearsals as they prepare for an array of competitions.
Trortternish has enjoyed tremendous success at Gaelic’s annual blue riband event in recent years which is testament to the pupils’ proficiency in the language and guidance and support from their teachers and parents.
Eighteen Trotternish pupils – seven from Portree High, three each from Sgoil Stafainn and Portree Primary School and five from Kilmuir Primary School – are heading to Lewis. Pictures of their rehearsals on Saturday are below.
They are taking part in play, action song, two choir competitions, the waullking song, precenting and will have two folk groups in action. They are also taking part in all the usual individual competitions including solo singing, poems, sgeulachds etc.
Bun Sgoila Stafainn teacher Josie NicLeoid said: “We are really busy this week sorting costumes and going over our pieces and frantically panicking about how much we still have to learn!”
More than £650 was raised from the group’s pre-Mòd ceilidh in Staffin last week and thanks go to all who donated baking, raffle prizes and helped out. Mòd Nan Eilean Siar starts on Friday and runs until October 22.