HIE Lochaber boost for Royal National Mod 2007

The 104th Royal National Mod has received a boost of £35,000 from HIE Lochaber towards the eight day event.

The largest indigenous music festival in Scotland held this week in Lochaber, giving Gaels and non Gaels visiting, the opportunity to hear and see some of the best Gaelic singers and musicians in Scotland.

A socio-economic impact study commissioned for Mod 2005 by HIE Innse Gall and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has recently been published. Undertaken by economist Steve Westbrook, the study examines the impact of the Mod on the economy of the Western Isles including benefits to local business.

The study revealed that expenditure in the Western Isles during the Mod 2005 week was estimated at £662,480 by visitors, and £250,000 by Western Isles residents.

The study found that 1,000 Western Isles residents competed in at least one event compared to 1,300 visitors. The islands' residents also spent an average of £136 more during the Mod week than a normal week.

The local Mod committee in Lochaber have raised £50,000 towards the event and put together a large Fringe programme called Iomall a' Mhòid, which HIE Lochaber is also supporting.

In building Iomall a' Mhòid, the committee was keen to move away from a fringe that simply provided entertainment, creating instead something that would support and be complementary to the Mod, had a focus on the language and the arts, would be fun, and include plenty for partners too.

Mairi Adam, development manager at HIE Lochaber said: "HIE Lochaber supports this year's Mod during the Highland year of Culture 2007. The Mod has a track record of boosting tourism, as well as strengthening the Gaelic language, music and culture."

Charlie MacColl, convener of the  Lochaber Mod Committee said: "We are delighted that HIE Lochaber is supporting the Fringe programme as well as the main event. We appreciate the assistance that we have had from all of the public bodies."

The socio-economic impact study can be viewed at www.hie.co.uk/evaluation-of-Mod-2005.html