Town makes only bid for 2010 Mod

The Caithness town has never hosted the Mod

Thurso's bid to host the 2010 Royal National Mod has been completed after an official toured prospective competition venues.

The Caithness town's bid is the only one to be have been received by An Comunn Gaidhealach for the 2010 event.

It looks certain to be given the nod to host the annual Gaelic festival at next month's Mod in Fort William.

The bid has been backed by the local enterprise company, which said it would have major spin-offs for the economy.

Murdo Morrison, An Comunn's Mod promotions manager, has been in Caithness touring the proposed venues.

He was also updated about plans to accommodate the influx of competitors, officials, relatives and other Mod-goers.

Financial benefit

The local organising committee is confident all could be put up within an hour's drive of Thurso, which has never previously hosted the Mod.

Directors of An Comunn Gaidhealach have visited Caithness twice in recent months to meet members of the committee, as well as local business and community representatives.

Eann Sinclair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise Caithness and Sutherland said there was "no doubt" the area would see a financial benefit from staging the week-long festival.

He said the 1995 national Mod in Golspie injected an estimated £1.5m into the local economy.

Just over 1,100 competitors from Scotland and abroad have entered for the Mod in Fort William.