còmhlanan agus buidhnean fìdhle
Còmhlanan agus Buidhnean Fìdhle
Battle of the bands
There will be three Battle of the Bands competitions this year:
- Bun-sgoil
- Àrd-sgoil s3 and under
- Àrd-sgoil s6 and under.
Most Mòd competitions are based on age / school year on 1 October 2026, however, to encourage as many entrants as possible, for the Glasgow Local Mòd, these competitions are based on school year on 1 April 2026. Note that the age groups are different at the Royal National Mòd.
Bands must have a minimum of 3 members and a maximum of 8.
Bands must play either one Gaelic song or one traditional instrumental set (maximum approx 5 minutes). Note that the song / set requirements may be different for the Royal National Mòd - if you are entering the Royal National Mòd it is important to check the detail of the Royal National Mòd syllabus and rules separately.
Fiddle groups
There will be three fiddle group competitions this year:
- Bun-sgoil
- Àrd-sgoil s3 and under
- Àrd-sgoil s6 and under.
Most Mòd competitions are based on age / school year on 1 October 2026, however, to encourage as many entrants as possible, for the Glasgow Local Mòd, these competitions are based on school year on 1 April 2026. Note that the age groups are different at the Royal National Mòd.
Fiddle groups must have a minimum of 3 members and a maximum of 8. Each group must have at least 3 fiddles but can be accompanied by other instruments.
Groups must play a traditional instrumental set (maximum approx 5 minutes).
Do we need to submit music or words?
No - you do not need to submit sheet music or words for Battle of the Bands or fiddle groups.
Playing for more than one band or fiddle group
The same child cannot play for more than one band which is competing in the same competition.
However, a child can play for bands which are in different competitions.
Some examples of how this applies in practice:
- A primary school child can play in a primary school band, but can also play with older siblings or friends in the separate 'ÀS3 and under' competition.
- An ÀS3 pupil can play in both the 'ÀS3 and under', and the 'ÀS6 and under' competitions.
- A primary school pupil cannot play in two bands if both bands are competing in the primary school competition.
- An ÀS3 pupil cannot play in two bands which are competing in the 'ÀS3 and under' competition.
These rules are designed to protect the integrity of the competitions, and to protect individual children from accusations that they have perhaps tried harder for one band than the other (if those bands are in the same competition), as this could be difficult for the child to manage.
The same rules apply to fiddle groups.