THE year 2021 could hold double prizes for Paisley after it was confirmed the town will hold the Royal National Mòd that year if it claims the UK City of Culture title.

And even if Paisley falls short of victory, the annual celebration of Gaelic culture will still be held in the town within the next five years.

If it is not named UK City of Culture 2021, one of Paisley or Perth will host in 2021, with the decision made on a point scoring system.

The place which does not host that year will stage it the following year.
It is the first time the Mòd's organising body, An Comunn Gàidhealach, has announced plans for more than a single year, due to the 'exceptional standard' of applications by both places.

Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said: "We are delighted the Mòd is coming back to Paisley and we look forward to working with our friends at An Comunn to deliver another successful event.

"Paisley's central location, outstanding transport links and proven record as a major event host will make Gaelic culture accessible to new audiences - our last Mòd in 2013 saw 8,000 people attend over nine days and a great atmosphere.

"The legacy of that was to strengthen Renfrewshire's commitment to Gaelic language development - we have since invested in arts programming, and our annual Fèis Phàislig music event has reached around 700 schoolchildren so far.

"Should Paisley be named as UK City of Culture in 2021 that year's Mòd will form part of an international-class cultural programme - but even if we are waiting another year we will be ready to welcome Gaels from across the world, and delighted to do so."

John Morrison, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach said: “The applications to host Mòd 2021 was exceptionally high, and we were particularly impressed by the two bids from Paisley and Perth.
"With each bid offering unique features, we felt it only fair to recognise their strength by offering them both the opportunity to host the Royal National Mòd.

“We feel the chance to host our Royal National Mòd in the UK City of Culture would be too good an opportunity to forego, and we wish our friends in Paisley luck ahead of the final decision on the UK City of Culture title."