Royal National Mod 2028 - Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 4 December 2025
Back to Policy and Resources Committee — 4 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 4 DECEMBER 2025 ROYAL NATIONAL MOD 2028 – UPDATE 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 The Council recognises the cultural and educational significance of supporting the development of the Gaelic language and the provision of local and national Mòd events. From an economic perspective, a Royal National Mòd (RNM) in Argyll and Bute reaps a £3m economic impact, demonstrates the area’s ability to host national events and boosts the local tourism industry by providing ‘authentic experiences’ for visitors that underpins the industry’s wider growth ambitions. The Council has had an SLA with An Comunn for hosting the RNM in Argyll and Bute over a number of years, with a previous commitment to host an RNM in the area every three years. 1.2 The purpose of this report is to request formal approval for An Comunn’s offer for Argyll and Bute to host the Royal National Mòd (RNM) in 2028 which was approved in principle by Policy and Resources Committee in February 2025. 1.3 The in principle approval included funding of up to £200K from the Council to be allocated across financial years 2025-2026 to 2028-2029, and funding of circa £25k for Live Argyll staffing during the RNM delivery to be negotiated with Live Argyll. These discussions have now taken place and with Policy and Resources agreement can be taken forward at the in principle levels of funding and it is proposed that the total financial commitment from the council of up to £225k is funded from the Unallocated General Fund. 1.4 Officers were also instructed to develop and consider criteria for the most appropriate location, Dunoon or Oban, to host the RNM 2028. Meetings between council Officers, Live Argyll and An Comunn have taken place to discuss this based on agreed criteria. Given the evidence provided, Oban is recommended as the preferred location. 1.5 The reason for this is that although Dunoon offers many benefits, that given past performance, hosting the RNM 2028 in Oban would deliver the highest number of attendees, 100% of visitors staying in Argyll and Bute, better access for the islands, and the greatest economic impact. Crucially, the success of the RNM is dependent on the local organising committee and no such group currently exists in Dunoon whereas there is an experienced organising committee in Oban. In addition, hosting the RNM in Dunoon may result in additional cost to fit out the Argyll Suite in Queens Hall.
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RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that Members of the Policy and Resources Committee: i. Agree to host the RNM in Oban in 2028. ii. Agree to enter into an agreement with An Comunn to provide a maximum of £200K financial support over a four year period with the final payment in financial year 2028-2029. iii. Agree to enter into an agreement with Live Argyll to secure the use of the venues for the duration of the RNM for £25k. iv. Recommend to Council that the total financial commitment of up to £225k is funded from the Unallocated General Fund. v. Note that this agreement will enable An Comunn Board to proceed with announcing the location of the RNM 2028 and to proceed with planning, publicity and attracting other funding to enable the event to take place.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH 4 DECEMBER 2025 ROYAL NATIONAL MOD 2028 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 The Council recognises the cultural and educational significance of supporting the development of the Gaelic language and the provision of local and national Mòd events. The RNM holds a very special place in the history of Argyll and Scottish culture. The value of holding a national Mòd in Argyll has long been recognised by Argyll and Bute Council through its previous support. This support reflects the significance of the RNM event in providing opportunities to celebrate, support and develop our national language and culture as well as demonstrating the area’s ability to host national events, the boost it gives to the local tourism industry by providing ‘authentic experiences’ for visitors that underpins the industry’s wider growth ambitions. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS It is recommended that Members of the Policy and Resources Committee: i. Agree to host the RNM in Oban in 2028. ii. Agree to enter into an agreement with An Comunn to provide a maximum of £200K financial support over a four year period with the final payment in financial year 2028-2029. iii. Agree to enter into an agreement with Live Argyll to secure the use of the venues for the duration of the RNM for £25k. iv. Recommend to Council that the total financial commitment of up to £225k is funded from the Unallocated General Fund. v. Note that this agreement will enable An Comunn Board to proceed with announcing the location of the RNM 2028 and to proceed with planning, publicity and attracting other funding to enable the event to take place.
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4.0 DETAIL Background 4.1 The Council has had an SLA with An Comunn for hosting the RNM in Argyll and Bute over a number of years, with a previous commitment to host an RNM in the area every three years. Most recently, the RNM was held in Oban in 2024 and demonstrated the importance of the RNM for the Gaelic Language and an economic impact of circa £3.6m. 4.2 The current SLA expired in March 2025 however Policy and Resources Committee 20th February 2025 agreed in principle to a) host the RNM 2028, and for Officers to enter into an agreement with An Comunn to provide a maximum of £200K financial support over a four year period with the final payment in financial year 2028-2029 and b) Officers to enter into discussions with Live Argyll to secure the use of venues at no cost to the RNM. The cost to Council for Live Argyll venues in 2024 was £25k. 4.3 An Comunn had asked if Argyll and Bute Council would consider Oban as a venue for the 2028 event based on the success of last year’s RNM in the town and Officers were tasked with exploring whether Dunoon or Oban would be the most appropriate location for the RNM 2028. Current Position 4.4 Discussions have since taken place with An Comunn and Live Argyll to consider both Council funding which was approved in principle, and also the most appropriate location for the RNM 2028 which is to take place in either Dunoon or Oban. 4.5 An Comunn accepted that all council fees and charges will be included in the Council award of £200k e.g. TTRO costs, parking fees etc and that no additional costs in relation to the RNM 2028 will be paid out. This will be reflected in an SLA which will be drafted to cover the financial years 2025/6- 2028/2029 should P&R agree the recommendations. In order to progress with planning, publicity and attracting further funding for the RNM 2028 An Comunn now require to confirm the preferred location. 4.6 Live Argyll confirmed that they would deliver their part of the RNM for £25k (staffing and venues) however if the Argyll Suite in Queens Hall is required, additional funding may be required for technical equipment as this is not fitted out as a performance space. Drawdown of Live Argyll funding will be through invoices. 4.7 It is proposed that the total financial commitment from the council of up to £225k is funded from the Unallocated General Fund. The provision of financial support to the Royal National MOD will deliver a positive economic impact and a boost to our tourism industry, alongside cultural and educational benefits. It also provides a platform to demonstrate the ability of Argyll and Bute to host national events.
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Options and Preferred Option 4.8 Council Officers, Live Argyll and An Comunn agreed the criteria for decision making to determine whether the RNM 2028 takes place in Dunoon or Oban. Table 1 details the key criteria for this and demonstrates that although Dunoon offers many benefits, hosting the RNM 2028 in Oban would deliver the highest number of attendees, 100% of visitors staying in Argyll and Bute, better access for the islands, and the greatest economic impact. Crucially, the success of the RNM is dependent on the local organising committee and no such group currently exists in Dunoon whereas there is an experienced organising committee in Oban. In addition, hosting the RNM in Dunoon may result in additional cost associated with the fit out of the Argyll Suite in Queens Hall. Table 1 – Criteria and Detail Criteria Description/How measure Dunoon Oban Strength of the local organising committee Members/evidence of activity/discussions taken place/experience No organising committee in place. Organising committee has strong membership, experience and levels of activity. Also runs the annual Mòd. Infrastructure Transport/connectivity Location is accessible to mainland through a mix of ferry, airport and road. More difficult to access from islands. Location is accessible to islands and mainland through mix of train, ferry, airport and road. Accommodation Location, number and availability Less capacity than Oban and many larger hotels have closed. In 2018, 16% of staying visitors at the Mòd stayed in Inverclyde and 2% elsewhere. Large hotels and capacity demonstrated in RNM 2024. 100% of staying visitors stayed in Argyll and Bute. Venues and facilities Number and size to meet need and provide wrap around programming. Queens Hall - Dunoon Main Hall Seated 450 Mixture of Seated and Standing 700 Standing Only 900 Argyll Suite (not designed as performance space therefore would require additional funding for sound and lighting etc) Multi-use conference/function space overlooking the River Clyde. Capacity 200 – seated and standing Education venues are available. Corran Halls - Oban Main Hall Seated 508 Standing only 900 The Studio Theatre Seating 105 with a theatre-style tiered seating arrangement. Education venues are available.
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Economic Impact Economic £2m in 2018 (7,456 attendees) £3.6m in 2024 (8,933 attendees) 4.9 The preferred option is therefore to host the RNM 2028 in Oban and for Officers to be instructed to issue SLA to An Comunn to facilitate their planning, publicity and funding submissions to other organisations, and to finalise discussions with Live Argyll to secure their venues. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 The RNM has provided a successful economic stimulus within the area and greatly contributed to supporting our Gaelic language and culture. Council recognises this and in February 2025 provided an in principle decision to host the RNM 2028 in Argyll and Bute with the associated budget. 5.2 In order to propose a preferred location for the RNM, Officers, Live Argyll and An Comunn have considered evidence for both Dunoon and Oban and this evidence has demonstrated that locating the RNM in Oban will deliver the greatest economic impacts to the area. Oban is therefore proposed as the preferred location to host the RNM in 2028. 5.3 It is therefore recommended that the Policy and Resources Committee provide formal acceptance to An Comunn’s offer to host RNM2028 and to confirm the associated funding for both An Comunn and Live Argyll. This will enable Officers to proceed with the SLA and enable An Comunn to plan, publicise and seek further funding for the RNM 2028. 6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy - The provision of support to the RNM fits with the Council’s Gaelic Plan and specifically the Council recognises the cultural and educational significance of supporting the development of the Gaelic language and the provision of local and national Mòd event. The economic impact and promotion of the area fit with the Argyll and Bute Economic Strategy. 6.2 Financial – 200k to An Comunn + £25k to Live Argyll. 6.3 Legal – A new agreement/SLA will require to be drafted. 6.4 HR – Resource will be required to manage this process however this is currently managed from existing staff. 6.5 Customer Service: None. 6.6 Risk: Risk is that if Argyll and Bute does not host a RNM then the benefits of the RNM outlined are not accrued to Argyll and Bute. RNM 2028 is dependent on Council support and funding from other sources.
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6.7 Climate Change: Consideration of this will be a condition of any Agreement with An Comunn. 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty 6.9 Equalities – Protected characteristics: An Comunn will comply with all Equal Opportunities/Fairer Scotland Duty policies and obligations as part of any Agreement. 6.10 Consumer Duty – The RNM will support economic growth of the area. 6.11 Island Communities – Oban is accessible from the majority of Argyll and Bute islands. 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing – None. Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director with overall responsibility for Development and Economic Growth 27th October 2025 Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess, Policy Lead for Business Development For further information contact: Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth fergus.murray@argyll-bute.gov.uk APPENDICES None