Mod delegates visit Falkirk

A delegation from the government of Nova Scotia in Canada visited Forth Valley recently (3rd June – 8th June) led by Warden Fred Whalen, Municipal Leader of Kings County Nova Scotia.

 

The group were visiting Falkirk in order to promote better economic opportunities between Scotland and Canada as well as promoting tourism links between the two areas.

 

Warden (the Canadian equivalent of Provost) Whalen said: ‘We’re very pleased with our visit and there’s a great warmth coming form the people locally. We’re very keen to link up with the Mod in 2008 and we’ll be going back to see what can be done to strengthen links between our two countries.

 

‘We’re also keen to promote Falkirk and Forth Valley in our own area and we have already met with local tourism representatives to discuss how best we can promote our respective areas.’

 

Cllr Angus MacDonald said, ‘As Chairman of Mod 2008 Falkirk I am particularly pleased to welcome our guests from Nova Scotia. Given that there are more Gaelic speakers in Nova Scotia than in Scotland we are particularly keen to develop links between the two areas which will hopefully attract a large contingent of Nova Scotians to the Royal National Mod in Falkirk in October 2008.

 

‘Next year’s Royal National Mod will attract visitors from all corners of the globe, with up to 10,000 people attending. In addition to the official Mod there will be a major Fringe taking place during Mod week which will involve a large number of venues in Falkirk and surrounding towns.’

 

 

Front row (left to right)

 

The Honourable Judy Streatch, Minister for Community Services; Warden Fred Whalen, Civic Head, County of Kings, Nova Scotia; Provost Pat Reid; The Honourable Jamie Muir, Minister of Service and Municipal Relations, Nova Scotia.

 

Second row (left to right)

 

Ann Langley, Kings County Municipal Clerk, Cllr Angus MacDonald, Chairman of Mod 2008 Falkirk; Guy Saint-Jacques, Deputy High Commissioner for Canada; Cllr Malcolm Nicol

 

Back row (left to right)

 

Mrs Ann Whalen; Iain Russell, International Development Consultant; Mrs Muir.