YOUNG pipers, fiddlers and anyone with an interest in Gaelic language and song are being invited to take part in this year’s Stirling Provincial Mod.

The annual festival of Gaelic culture offers competitions in chanter, piping, fiddle, recitation and singing and takes place on May 15 and 16 - but entries close on March 31.

Convener Mary Ann Brown said: “There are many talented young musicians and Gaelic singers in this area and this is a very good platform for their talents.”

With a number of changes introduced to the event this year new for competing adults is the ‘Runrig competition’, open to soloists, duets, quartets, folk groups and even choirs, with the only stipulation being that entrants must perform a song by the Gaelic supergroup.

In a further break with tradition performances may be either purely vocal, instrumental or both.

A similar new competition for adult soloists invites performances of songs connected to the host area for the Royal National Mod, which this year means Oban.

Another change for 2009 is the introduction of a traditional singing competition for entrants aged under 13, after the success of last year’s debut under-18 competition.

All of the above, of course, is in addition to the event’s long-established traditional competitions which will continue to be keenly contested.

Competitions will be held at St Modan’s High School on the Friday night and in and around the Albert Halls on the Saturday.

For full details or an entry form contact Rhona Morrison on 0141 334 0649.