THE Royal National Mod will return to Glasgow next month for the first time in 19 years and is expected to generate around £2million for the city.

The annual celebration of Gaelic music, art and sport will welcome a record number of competitors this year, thought to be attributed to a rise in the number of schools teaching the language.

The nine day festival, which is running from October 11 to 19, will also make history this year with the introduction of a womans’ football match, to be held alongside the male tournament at Glasgow Green.

Deputy First Minister,John Swinney, will officially launch the Royal National Mòd with a speech at the Opening Ceremony, hosted by An Comunn Gaidhealach at the City Chambers.

The festivities will move on to George Square for a public celebration filled with bands and choir performances as well as drama recitals.

Alongside the main competitions, The Mòd Fringe returns with a jam-packed programme filled with ceilidhs, concerts, sports and more.

One of the highlights of this year’s Fringe is the Celtic Praise event, taking place at Princes Square from 7.30pm on Sunday, October 13, with Gospel singing by Gaelic and English-speaking gospel choirs.

Mod week will be rounded off with ‘The Final Fling’ featuring live music from Skerryvore and Trail West, considered two of the best traditional bands in Scotland, who will perfrom at the Barrowlands on October 18.

John Morrison, Chief Executive of An Comunn Gàidhealach, said: “We are incredibly excited to be hosting the Royal National Mòd in Glasgow.

“It’s great to see the Gaelic culture and heritage thriving in Scotland.

Tickets for competitions and events are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.ancomunn.co.uk/tickets