OBAN has been recommended as the location for the Royal National Mod to take place in 2028, four years after it previously took place there.
An offer to host the Gaelic language festival in Argyll and Bute in that year was approved in principle by a council committee earlier this year.
It has now been reported that Oban has seen off competition from Dunoon as the most appropriate location to host the Mod (RNM), and councillors are now asked to agree to stage it there.
A report will go before the council’s policy and resources committee at its meeting on Thursday, December 4.
Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “The council has had an SLA (service level agreement) with An Comunn for hosting the RNM in Argyll and Bute over a number of years, with a previous commitment to host an RNM in the area every three years.
“Most recently, the RNM was held in Oban in 2024 and demonstrated the importance of the RNM for the Gaelic Language and an economic impact of circa £3.6million.
“The current SLA expired in March 2025; however policy and resources committee [on] February 20 agreed in principle to host the RNM 2028, and for officers to enter into an agreement with An Comunn to provide a maximum of £200,000 financial support over a four year period with the final payment in financial year 2028/29.
“[The committee also agreed] officers to enter into discussions with Live Argyll to secure the use of venues at no cost to the RNM. The cost to council for Live Argyll venues in 2024 was £25,000.
“An Comunn had asked if Argyll and Bute Council would consider Oban as a venue for the 2028 event based on the success of last year’s RNM in the town and Officers were tasked with exploring whether Dunoon or Oban would be the most appropriate location for the RNM 2028.”
A table of criteria in the evaluation process said that the Corran Halls has a higher all-seated capacity that Dunoon’s Queens Hall in the main facilities at each, although they have the same all-standing capacity.
Oban was also found to be more favourable in terms of the local organising committee, and accommodation capacity.
Ms Flanagan added: “It is therefore recommended that the policy and resources committee provide formal acceptance to An Comunn’s offer to host RNM 2028 and to confirm the associated funding for both An Comunn and Live Argyll.
“This will enable officers to proceed with the SLA and enable An Comunn to plan, publicise and seek further funding for the RNM 2028.”
The RNM states on its website: “Famous for celebrating our Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage, Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival provides opportunities for people of all ages to perform across a range of competitive disciplines including Gaelic music and song, Highland dancing, instrumental, drama, sport and literature.”
The 2026 festival will be held in Glasgow next October, with the 2027 event in the Western Isles.
