Mod gold medal winners announced

The Mod is taking place in Dunoon ends on Friday

The winners of the prestigious gold medals at the Royal National Mod have been announced.

The winner of the women's medal was Kirsteen Macdonald, from Inverness, while Alasdair Whyte, of the Isle of Mull, took the men's.

To win, the competitors had to sing two songs. One was prescribed and the other of their own choice.

The Royal National Mod is being held in Dunoon with the highest ever number of individual competitors.

It is the highlight of the Gaelic calendar and finishes on Friday with the Gathering of the Choirs.

Economic boost

The Mod, which dates back to 1892, is being held in Dunoon for the sixth time. It is due to be staged in Lochaber next year.

Apart from the formal competitions and ceilidhs, a major attraction of the Mod is its lively social scene, which organisers say provides the host town with a significant economic boost.

The event attracts thousands of visitors to watch competitors from as far afield as Canada and Australia.