The next three Royal National Mods have received a major boost from Bòrd na Gàidhlig which has provided organising committees with £5,000 each to help set up their planning and organisation.

Preparations for the Mods, in Oban in October of this year, Caithness in 2010 and Stornoway in 2011 is now well under way with local committees established to promote event which provides communities with significant boost to the economy when it is held in October.

Rosemary Ward, Acting Chief Executive of Bòrd na Gàidhlig said: “The Royal National Mod is a significant event in terms of Scotland’s cultural activity and the promotion of Gaelic and particularly so this year. Each year the various committees charged with organising the event make a massive effort to engage with local communities, authorities and businesses to ensure that it is a success. Much of the work is down to voluntary effort however and there is a limit to the fund-raising which can be achieved. It’s at the outset the committees need most support and Bord na Gàidhlig is pleased to be able to offer this financial assistance to enable the local committees to set things up so that the benefits to the community can be maximised.”

The financial assistance has been welcomed by Oban’s local committee chairman Robin Banks. He said: "The 2009 local committee is delighted to be receiving this financial support from Bord na Gàidhlig which will be useful in these final months preceding the Mod. It is very much appreciated by all and it is a very useful start to for us in terms of ensuring we can promote the mod effectively. I have no doubt Oban is going to host a very special and successful event - again!”

For further information on the Bòrd na Gàidhlig aspects of this news release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan on 0751 528 7040.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig website: www.bord-na-gaidhlig.com

See also: www.mygaelic.com