The whiskey Olympics 2007 as the National Gaelic MOD is affectionately known was well underway by the time I arrived to take in the final Friday. In complete contrast to the stilted version of the final concert the BBC churn out year after year the atmosphere in Fort William (FW) was spectacular. Every pub in an Gearasdan (FW) was packed with fantastic traditional music, good humoured hecklers and several members of the all girl choir atomic piseag (kitten) doing their bit to further the Gaelic cause.

The annual mod is an opportunity for the scattered gaelic community to congregate together in a very small area for a week. This inevitably leads to deoch (drink), craic and a ridiculous amount of fun as people resume conversations they had in some pub some previous year without missing so much as a beat.

The ceildh mhor (big) got underway after the BBCs ridiculous restrictions which had been in place during the winners concert were lifted. This is always an awesome event which showcases the best of gaelic talent chosen from the various competitions during the week followed by an informal night of dancing, playing and singing. This year it was presented by Mary-Ann Kennedy, daughter of Kenna Campbell and veritable Gaelic royalty who admirably moved the bands along whilst providing bilingual introductions. The line up included Skerryvore, Skippinish, the local Aberlochy celidh band (a nice touch to have them and they were remarkably good) and the gaelic worlds answer to a boyzone- 5 of the best known young gaelic singers Angus MacPhail, James Graham, Calum Alex MacMillan, Norman McArthur and Gilbert MacMillan with Mary Anne guesting. All these boys are previous Gold medallist the highest honour the Mod can award and it showed. Accapella with fantastic harmonies throughout produced an absolutely stunning sound. The only slight hiccup was the initial difficulty finding Gilbert who disappeared just before he was due on stage. In true Highland fashion audience participation was enlisted to locate said wayward gentleman and he was duly escorted on to the stage.

As I mentioned the BBC cover the whole event with particular focus on the final concert. This will have to be overhauled as they produce a tired, boring show which sacrifices the audience enjoyment for the TV recording by controlling movement and clapping. If they could have controlled your breathing they would have. This only serves to take the life out of the music which does the whole event a huge disservice and can surely not encourage anyone who sees it to get involved with gaelic.

So to Falkirk in 2008, not perhaps the most obvious venue but lets see what difference the arrival of 2000 or so Highlanders can make.