Celtic Traditions
Cape Breton Island 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’ll want to visit the following spots in Nova Scotia
Gaelic College of Arts and Crafts
The Gaelic College of Arts and Crafts is where you will find students of all ages from around the corner and around the world who travel here to study programs in traditional Scottish disciplines including Gaelic language and song, music, dance and crafts.
Learn more
Celtic Colours International Festival
Take in one of the dozens of events, activities, concerts, workshops, tours and dances during the Celtic Colours International Festival held for 10 days annually each October.
Celtic Music Interpretive Centre
Learn to fiddle or step dance at a ceilidh at the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre, which offers the perfect introduction to traditional Cape Breton music. Listen to professional musicians explain the culture and play some traditional celtic tunes!
Traditional Square Dances
Take in a traditional square dance. Local favourites include:
- West Mabou Sports Club – the biggest (and some say best) dance on the island, this one runs all year long on Saturday nights
- Glencoe Mills Hall – this lively dance was once the regular gig of hometown fiddler Buddy MacMaster.
- St. Joseph’s Parish Hall, Southwest Margaree – this adults-only shindig has been around forever!
- Brook Village Parish Hall – this adults-only dance runs every Monday night for those who want to start the week off right.
- The Barn at the Normaway Inn, Margaree Valley – a ceilidh kicks off the evening at 8 pm followed by the square dance at 10 pm.
- Scottsville – Located in the Lake Ainslie Community Hall, this adults-only dance is also on the north east side of Lake Ainslie itself.
Highland Village Museum
The Highland Village Museum/Baile nan Gàidheal is a living history museum and cultural centre that celebrates the Gaelic experience in Nova Scotia.
The Red Shoe Pub
Enjoy tasty eats and musical treats nightly at The Red Shoe Pub in Mabou, home of The Rankin Family.
