The Gaelic College has become a popular destination for all kinds of events - meetings, retreats, small conventions, parties, courses, concerts, plays, dinner theatre, and the home of the Celtic Colours International Festival.
The college is centrally located in the heart of Cape Breton Island - reducing travel time and distance from various areas on the island.
Our campus presents many attractions. We offer dorm-style or double accommodations, with two of our buildings resently renovated. MacLeod House and Highland House now consist of 14 bedrooms, each with two beds and a flush and sink. Showers are shared, but private. The accommodations, although modest, are clean and well-kept.
- We operate year-round
- We can fully customize any event
- Our campus offers a private setting where social functions can be held in conjunction with meetings, etc. In most cases only one group is on-campus at any one time
- Since we are in a rural setting there is a tendency for delegates to remain on site and fully participate in activities
- The college has more than 7 km of beautiful walking and hiking trails on campus and lots of opportunity for outdoor activity in a very scenic setting
- Accommodations and food services are moderately priced and each event is individually priced and quoted
- Several meeting rooms and lounge areas exist within the campus
- All food is “home cooked” in our own kitchens by our excellent staff
- We have a Special Premises liquor license that facilitates offering bar service if desired
- We can (and often do) arrange entertainment such as: ceilidhs, demonstrations, lectures, or performances
- We can provide technical solutions for Internet connections, telephones, vcrs, and projectors, etc.
Logistics:
- We can accommodate day meetings of up to 300 persons or conversely we make a group of ten feel at home for a meeting in comfortable surroundings
- We can accommodate 46 guests in single rooms or 92 guests in double occupancy
- In dorm-type accommodations we can accommodate 145
- Our kitchens are capable of handling small groups or up to 200 buffet-style or 160 “served” meals
- Our cafeteria regularly serves up to 200 meals within a reasonable time frame
Our Campus
Nestled in the hills overlooking St. Ann’s Bay, the 350-acre property is steeped in the history of Scottish migration and settlement in this area. Numerous physical sites from that era can be visited and reflected upon. Walking and hiking trails crisscross the property and provide a great area to watch the soaring of the majestic Bald Eagle or to enjoy the sounds and sights of the numerous species of song birds and waterfowl that inhabit the shores of this beautiful tranquil bay. Facilities include:
Download our Gaelic College Campus Map:
- Three dormitory-style residences
- Fourteen class rooms
- Four large meeting rooms
- Full service cafeteria
- A 1,600 sq. ft. Craft Centre
- Laundry room
- The Great Hall of the Clans Museum
The Entrance Building
The Entrance Building serves as a portal and consists of our Craft Shop , kilt making studio, library/boardroom, two dance studios/classrooms and administration offices.
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The Clachan
The Clachan is our weaving studio and also includes a classroom.
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MacLeod House
MacLeod House consists of a small dance studio/meeting room, 14 newly renovated bedrooms that include a flush and sink, a lounge / kitchenette area and three classrooms. It can accommodate a maximum of 28 people.
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MacKenzie Hall
MacKenzie Hall is the main residence and consists of a cafeteria and dining area, school administration office, lounge area with a large stone fireplace, 18 bedrooms accommodating 36 people double occupancy or 81 dormitory style.
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Highland House
Highland House consists of a small dance studio/meeting room, 14 newly renovated bedrooms that include a flush and sink, and a lounge / kitchenette area. It can accommodate a maximum of 28 people.
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The Great Hall of the Clans
The Great Hall of the Clans has a 350-seat auditorium with a moveable stage. A large stone fireplace forms an end wall. A walk around exhibit featuring the social and military history of Gaelic Scotland and 8 interpretive stations portray the cultural and lunguistic contributions of Gaels in Nova Scotia to the social fiblre of this province and country. The balance of the ground floor contains a kitchen, museum, theatre and public washrooms. The upper level and basement both contain classrooms and an upstairs lounge is open to and overlooks the auditorium.
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The Old Craft Shop
The Old Craft Shop houses the St. Ann’s – Waipu Twinning Society office, the C@P site and also serves as a maintenance workshop and storage area.
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The Performance Centre
The Performance Centre is a unique “fine-weather” facility that offers a beautiful view from the hillside overlooking St. Ann’s Bay. It is well equipped to provide sound and lighting for performances. Bench type seating on the hillside provides seating for 450 people and a large grassy area surrounding it increases capacity for concerts to over 2000.
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Classrooms, Studios and Practice Huts
Classrooms, Studios and Practice Huts are scattered across the campus and provide plenty of space for both classes and practice areas.
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