Mòd Chesapeake
Fàilte is furan oirbh gu Mòd Chesapeake 2026, comharrachadh air òrain, cultar, agus dualchas na Gàidhlig.
A warm welcome to you all to The 2026 Chesapeake Mòd, a celebration of Scottish Gaelic song, culture, and heritage.
Tha sibh air ur fiathachadh gu Mòd Chesapeake 2026!
You are invited to the 2026 Chesapeake Mòd!
~ And there are excting additions to the program this year! ~
REGISTER HERE!
New to the 2026 Mòd
Are you ready to immerse yourself in the rich culture of Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig)?
Tha naidheachd againn agus tha sinn air bhioran! | We have news and we’re excited!
We are changing up the program for the Chesapeake Mòd this year, moving it to a lovely setting in the Frederick County countryside on a 100 acre farm. In that intimate setting, we will take advantage of having the winners of the Royal National Mòd, Caitlyn and Finlay, and, for the first time at our Mòd, Gàidhlig teacher Caroline Root, to hold master sessions designed to improve your singing, writing, and speaking of Gàidhlig.
- Just stepping into learning the language? Please come. There will be sessions and activities for you.
- Already singing, writing, and holding conversations in Gàidhlig? Please come. The master classes will help you take your Gàidhlig to the next level.
- In addition, there will be performances by attendees, and a house concert by Finlay and Caitlyn.
- And, we will hold a waulking session where we will not be just singing, but will be practicing the fulling methods to prepare for a real waulking session in the Spring.
- Plus the usual delicious meals, but now with beautiful scenery and a working family farm to wander.
- And the swimming pool will be open!
Don’t miss out on this unique and unforgettable experience!
Special Guests!
Caitlyn Yule and Finlay Morse
Am-bliadhna, bidh e na urram dhuinn fàilte a chuir air Caitlyn Yule and Finlay Morse, a buannaichean bonn òir a’ Mhòid Nàiseanta Rìoghail 2025. Bidh Caitlyn and Finlay còmhla rinn aig a’ Cheathramh Mòd Bliadhnail Chespeake, le cead bho An Comunn Gàidhealach, ann an Alba.
This year, we will have the honor to welcome Caitlyn Yule and Finlay Morse, the 2025 Royal National Mòd gold medal winners. Caitlyn and Finlay will join us at the Fourth Annual Chespeake Mòd, courtesy of An Comunn Gàidhealach, in Scotland.
What to Expect
- At Mòd Chesapeake, you can learn Scottish Gaelic songs and stories and experience the performance of Gàidhlig song. However, there is much more to the Mòd than workshops and competitions.
- We want to encourage people to learn Gàidhlig and use it in every part of their lives. Mòd Chesapeake is offering a special class, Competing at a Mòd: What to Expect, for anyone who has not been in a Mòd but wants to improve their Gàidhlig singing, and, perhaps, be in the next Mòd.
- Gàidhlig is all about community, and Mòd Chesapeake is an opportunity to be included in a very passionate, inspiring community of Gàidhlig learners at all levels, from the fluent to people who are just starting out. There’s a place for you here. You may see old friends, but you are certain to meet new ones.
- If you are a learner of Gàidhlig, Mòd Chesapeake is an opportunity to use the language in a community.
- Our guests, Caitlyn Yule, Finlay Morse, and Alice Nic a’ Mhaoilinn, will sing during the Mòd and teach two of the workshops.
The Schedule
8:30 am: Doors open – Check-in, get some coffee or tea, and meet everyone.
9:30 am: Welcoming and opening song
10 am: First set of workshops
11:30 am: Second set of workhops
12:30 pm: Lunch (included)
2:30 pm: Third workshop and Presentations
3:00 pm: Waulking the Cloth
5:30 pm: Dinner (provided)
7:00 pm: House Concert
Fees
General Admission: $25
The admission fee includes all workshops, performances, snacks, lunch, and dinner.
You may register and pay the admission fee online by clicking the Register Here button below, or by sending a check made out to Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir to Sgoil Gàidhlig, 5158 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043. Competitors, click the Additional Competitor Information button for additional requirements.
Questions? Write to us at sgoilgaidhlig@gmail.com
Our Teachers
Scott MacIlleMhoire (Morrison)
Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir
Co-founder, Vice President, Ceannard Sgoile (Head of School)
Liam Ó Caiside (Cassidy)
President, An Comunn Gàidhealach Ameireaganach
Board of Trustees, Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir
Co-founder, Gàidhlig Photomac
What is a Mòd?
Originally the word Mòd referred to a court held by a Scottish Gaelic chief or lord for settling disputes over rent and other matters. Today it refers to a competition in Scottish Gaelic song, poetry, and prose. The first modern Royal National Mòd, the premier Gàidhlig cultural event in Scotland, was held in 1892 in the town of Oban.
The Royal National Mòd is a huge event that moves around Scotland each year, drawing thousands of people for a week of song, language, and music competitions. An Comunn Gàidhealach Ameireaganach — American Scottish Gaelic Society (ACGA) established the U.S. National Mòd in 1988 along similar, if smaller, lines. ACGA built the U. S. National Mòd as a celebration of Scottish Gaelic language arts. These are arts that use the language as their medium: song, poetry, storytelling, writing, drama. At the Mòd, participants may compete for prizes and awards in several categories of Gàidhlig song, in reciting Gàidhlig poetry, and in storytelling in Gàidhlig. But many people attend for fun, friendship, and to share their interest in Scotland’s Gaelic culture. ACGA also awards special prizes for original poetry and literature in Scottish Gaelic.
Mòd Chesapeake is one of the regional gatherings within the network of the ACGA and the U. S. National Mòd.
You may register and pay the admission fee online by clicking the Register Here button below, or by sending a check made out to Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir to Sgoil Gàidhlig, 5158 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043. Competitors, click the Additional Competitor Information button for further registration information.
Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir 