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Return to Things To Do Listing >> Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts
Rev. Norman MacLeod and his followers settled the property that the College currently resides on in 1820 and remained here for more than 30 years until the potato famine hit, and forced nearly 800 souls to follow their intrepid leader to Waipu, New Zealand. This story inspired Rev. A.W.R. MacKenzie, a Presbyterian minister who was born on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. He immigrated to Canada, by way of the USA and had a pastoral charge in Baddeck. “AWR”, as he was affectionately known, and a group of local citizens decided to form the Gaelic College Foundation and began presenting courses in 1938. In the early years, instruction was mainly concentrated around the Gaelic language, but our curriculum now includes more than 12 different disciplines, Gaelic Language, Great Highland Bagpipes, Cape Breton Fiddle, Highland Dance, Scottish Small Pipes, Weaving, Cape Breton Step Dance, Celtic Harp, Bodhran, Pipe Band Drumming, Gaelic Song, and Piano Accompaniment. The Gaelic College has also expanded in other ways. The Craft Centre is truly a Celtic experience with over 200 tartans and custom made kilts, supplies and books for fiddles, harps, and pipes and the largest selection of Celtic gifts on Cape Breton Island. The Hall of the Clans original exhibit, on the outer perimeter of the hall, was created to portray the close relationship between Nova Scotia and Scotland and trace the history and development of the Scot from ancient times through to the Highland Clearances. This first phase, the Gaelic Heritage and Learning Centre, has been developed within the Hall of the Clans and is a great addition to the existing displays of the social and military history of Gaelic Scotland. The 8 new interactive displays, situated between the stone pillars throughout the Hall of the Clans, will portray the Cultural and Linguistic contribution of Nova Scotia Gaels to the social fibre of the province and country. Other events and activities: - Elderhostel programs in June and September – Scottish Culture, Cape Breton Walks and more… - Wednesday night Ceilidh series in July and August during school sessions, our world-class instructors present a weekly Ceilidh in support of school scholarships. - Festival of Cape Breton Fiddling presented by the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association – third weekend in August. - Fèis a’ Mhòid - a traditional Gaelic day. Starting at 1pm, sign up for workshops in song, music, dance, storytelling, join us for a traditional codfish supper and stay for the evening festivities – milling frolic and ceilidh. - "Home" of the Celtic Colours International Festival nightly Festival Club.
Directions from Baddeck Information Center: Travel East on the 105 for approximately 22 km, take Exit 11 onto the Cabot Trail Road. We are situated approximately 1 km on the Cabot Trail Road.
Telephone: 1-902-295-3411 |
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