Bilingual beats: Glasgow anthem gets Gaelic makeover ahead of Royal National Mòd
A special song celebrating the spirit of Glasgow has been reimagined in Scottish Gaelic ahead of the Royal National Mòd’s return to the city this autumn.
The rousing Ar n-Òran do Ghlaschu (Our Song for Glasgow) brings together the voices of acclaimed singer Norrie ‘Tago’ MacIver and Còisir Sgoiltean Gàidhlig Ghlaschu (the Glasgow Gaelic School Choirs), which comprises young singers from all four of Glasgow’s Gaelic primary schools.
With Glasgow home to the biggest concentration of Gaelic speakers outside the Western Isles, the song – which is out this Thursday 13 August – celebrates the city and its thriving Gaelic community and links.
The original English version written by Jamie Campbell of Glasgow band Dignity Row was selected by Glasgow Life through a competition with Go Radio as a song that captures the vibrancy of the city and has been used to represent the charity across its marketing campaigns ever since.
Ahead of Glasgow’s hosting of the world’s biggest celebration of Scottish Gaelic, Jamie has worked closely with musician, composer and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy, who is based in Ardgour, to translate the tribute to Glasgow into Gaelic.
The song picks up on iconic images of the ‘world’s friendliest city’ and includes a description of Glasgow’s Buchanan Street full of music and song, as will be the case when the Mòd arrives in October.
The Gaelic version will be performed at a Dignity Row gig at the Bungalow on Thursday by Mary Ann, before being featured as part of the Mòd, which runs from 9 – 17 October 2026.
Schoolchildren from Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Bhaile Ghobhainn (Govan), Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghleann Dail (Pollokshields), Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu (Finnieston) and Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn (Calton) can all be heard on the track, alongside Dignity Row founding member Jamie Campbell on keyboards, Dario Palazzo on guitar, Julian Pombo on bass guitar, and Gavin Paterson on drums.
The track was recorded at Studio 1790 in Cumbernauld, with vocals from the schoolchildren recorded at the Finnieston and Govan school campuses, with the support of Gaelic singer-songwriter Isla Scott.
Jamie Campbell of Dignity Row said: “Ar n-Òran do Ghlaschu (Our Song for Glasgow) tries to capture the unique, dynamic essence and heartbeat of Glasgow where people are great, friendly, welcoming characters who tell you their life story, and make you never feel alone.
"Locals and visitors make so many great memories here, and trace back magical moments to particular landmarks. Walking down Buchanan Street, there is music all around as you stroll through our great city that we should all be very proud to call home.
“The lyrics reflect my love for Glasgow and all the places and people that remind me of home. In Glasgow you are truly never alone!”
Mary Ann Kennedy said: “It’s a real privilege to be entrusted with translating someone else’s song, but a joy as well, as Jamie obviously has the same love of the city as I do.”
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