Nova Scotia is Latin for New Scotland. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, tens of thousands of Scottish and Irish immigrants chose this peninsula on the east coast of a budding new world as the place they would call home. The strength of the Gaelic culture, music, history and language has endured here for three centuries, living and breathing in everyday life.

Cape Breton Island, in particular, offers a chance to truly explore Celtic culture and history. There is a saying common here: Ciad mile failte. It means “a hundred thousand welcomes” and is typical of the warm greeting the island’s visitors can expect. To truly experience the Celtic culture, you want to visit:

• Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts - Students of all ages and ability travel here from around the world to study programs in traditional Scottish disciplines including Gaelic language and song, music, dance and crafts. 
• The Highland Village - a living history museum and cultural centre that celebrates the Gaelic experience in Nova Scotia.
• Celtic Music Interpretive Centre - Sign up for a one-day step-dancing workshop or a week-long fiddling course.
• Celtic Colours International Festival - take in one of the hundreds of events, activities, concerts, workshops, tours and dances in this Island-wide event.
• The Feis an Eilein on Christmas Island and take in the traditional milling frolic held the third Thursday in August as it has been for more than 70 years.

You can also do an Immersion Weekend at St. Francis Xavier University with programs for children and adults. Or lose yourself in the whirl of kilts and skirl of pipes at the Antigonish Highland Games, an annual event in Nova Scotia since 1863.

Experience the Celtic culture of Nova Scotia and go home tapping your toes to the lingering melodies of an unforgettable Ceilidh or longing to try the caber toss.