Lanarkshire cousins scoop awards at this year’s Mod

Oct 22 2008 by Gordon Robertson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

TWO talented cousins scooped top prizes in Scotland’s most prestigious celebration of Gaelic culture and language.

Eight-year-olds Emily Robertson and Jessica Muir were among the medal winners at the Royal National Mod, which was held in Falkirk this year.

Emily, from Plains, won the Falkirk Rotary Club Trophy for a wonderful recitation of Na Raithean, a poem about the weather. She also won a gold medal for a competition to test conversation.

Jessica, from Chapelhall, won a bronze medal in the poetry competition, also for an impressive version of Na Raithean.

The girls recited the poem in front of a packed classroom at Comely Park School in Falkirk.

The crowd included proud family members and the judge who was left in no doubt about the pretty pair’s command of the language.

Emily and Jessica are not only cousins but best friends and attend Condorrat Primary in Cumbernauld together.

The school teaches Gaelic which encouraged the duo to learn the language.

Their wonderful achievement of being among the best in their age group in the whole of Scotland, left mums Dorothy Muir and Angela Robertson beaming with pride.

“We are so proud of the girls,” Dorothy told the Advertiser. “I think it was more nervewracking for us than them. There were 30 other entrants so they did really well.

“They have both won prizes in other smaller mods but this one involves schools from all over Scotland so it really was a great achievement.

“We also have to thank their school which has given the girls a wonderful education.”