Choir Members - Largs Gaelic Choir

"The choir’s first Mod was Perth in 1980 and they have competed every year since. Their first success was winning the Margrat Duncan trophy in 1982 at Portree. One of the set songs was Duncan Ban MacIntyre’s “Ceud Deireannach nam Beann”. The choir dominated the Margrat Duncan competition from that time on until they were competent and confident enough to enter the Lovat and Tullibardine competition at Dingwall in 1991. One of the set songs was another Duncan Ban MacIntyre song, “Moladh Beinn Dobhrain”. To every one’s surprise, including their own, they won the coveted Lovat and Tullibardine shield at the first attempt.

Our present conductor is Elspeth Howie who was previously a soprano in the choir. She took over from Wilma Scouller in 2007. Our Gaelic Tutor is Gus MacDonald who also sings bass in the choir.

The choir membership is drawn from the Fairlie, Largs, Skelmorlie and Wemyss Bay areas with some from places further afield such as Greenock, Bridge of Weir, Beith, Ardrossan and Ayr. Choir members have connections with Bernara, Lewis, North Uist, Barra, Glen Etive, Sleat, Tiree and Mull. The choir’s current membership includes Silver Pendant winners Linda McCallum, John Blair and Colin Fisher who also form the folk group “Sunndach”. The choir has also had successes with their quartet and duets at recent Mods.

In recent years the choir membership has dropped a little and in 2005 it was decided to revert from the Lovat and Tullibardine competition to the Margrat Duncan competition. The choir membership is now in a healthy state and the choir looks forward to many more years of participation in the Mod and possibly a return to the Lovat and Tullibardine competition in the near future."