The Royal National Mod has begun in Fort William.
Here is a brief guide to its history and this year's festival.
WHERE IT BEGAN
Held annually at a variety of venues across Scotland, the event is considered the premier celebration of Gaelic language, arts and culture.
The Mod was first held in Oban in 1892.
Since then it has grown to become the second biggest festival in Scotland, drawing interest from overseas, according to its organisers.
ROYAL CONNECTIONS
Since 1912 there has been an association with the Royal Family.
The festival's parent body, An Comunn G�idhealach, has the Queen as its patron while royals regularly attend the event.
OPENING CEREMONY
Len Goucher, minister for tourism, culture and heritage with the Nova Scotia Provincial Government, will perform this year's opening ceremony on Friday.
Linda Fabiani, Scottish Government minister for Gaelic, will also be attending the opening.
FRINGE EVENTS
Fort William is hosting the 104th Mod.
Running until 20 October - when there will be a performance by the massed choirs - it will feature a fringe programme of talks and non-competitive events.
MOD STALWART
Chrissie MacEachen, 72, will be made a Freeman of Lochaber during the festival.
She competed in her first Mod in Dunoon at the age of nine in solo singing, duets and dialogue and won a Traditional Gold Medal in 1982 at the Skye Mod.
CHRISTMAS ALBUM
On the final day, Highland Council will launch the first Gaelic Christmas album.
Entitled Duan Nollaig , the CD has been produced by the Mairi Mhor Fellowship and will be released on the Greentrax label.
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