The Prince of Wales has presented gold medals to the winners of a Gaelic solo singing competition today when he visits the Royal National Mod.

The event, organised by An Comunn Gaidhealach, is a competition-based festival of disciplines including Gaelic music and song, highland dancing, instrumentals, drama, sport and literature.

Considered to be the biggest event of the Gaelic calendar, it attracts competitors from Gaelic communities throughout the UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Canada and the USA.

Prince Charles, who is known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, has presented the two winners of the Mod gold medal competition with their prizes at Thurso high school in Caithness.

The gold medal, which can only be won once in a lifetime by an individual, is awarded for solo singing in Gaelic, with one medal for men and one for women. The winners gave an exclusive performance of the gold medal winning song.

The festival began on Friday October 8 and ends on October 16 with a mass choir and pipe band parade through Thurso town centre.

During his visit the Prince also saw a showcase of local businesses and food and drink producers at North Highland College.