Colaisde na Gàidhlig is first and foremost an educational non-profit institution, offering year-round programming in the culture, music, language, crafts, customs, and traditions of the immigrants from the Highlands of Scotland. The only institution of its kind in North America, students of all ages and skill levels visit the College every year to study under some of the finest instructors in Nova Scotia Gaelic culture.
Built at the site of landed Scottish immigrants, St. Ann's and Cape Breton boast a fascinating history and heritage. Learn of the local story in a self-guided museum tour, get a chance to view Gaelic films, and take part in interactive cultural demonstrations. (seasonal)
For decades, the College has offered traditional, hand-stitched kilt-making and custom-tartan clothing through our Craft Shop, creating treasured heirlooms to pass along from generation to generation. Visit our campus to learn more and begin your own creation process.
Since 1938, the College has always remained an independent and largely independently-funded, non-profit organization with a simple mission to preserve the language and traditions that came to this area. With your support, we can continue on this path and help to ensure that those traditions live on.
Secluded and tucked away yet central on the island, Colaisde na Gàidhlig is a great meeting place for you and your guests. Open all year, and with oodles of options to choose from, think of us when planning your big day.
🌸 Gàidhlig as t-Earrach | Spring Gaelic Weekend 🌸
June 6 – 8, 2025 - starting 3 weeks from today!
Beginner: Shannon MacMullin
Sionainn ni’n Aonghais ‘ic Iain Peadair | Shannon MacMullin
Shannon is an old soul with a curious mind, generous spirit and special love of Nova Scotia Gaels, their language and culture. Belonging to Upper Grand Mira, she always wanted to learn her grandfather’s language but didn’t get the chance until decades later when she attended Gàidhlig aig Baile immersion classes in Halifax. She picked up the language quickly, and is a strong believer in immersion methodology. Through her Bun is Bàrr mentorship with Seumas Watson, Anna MacKinnon and Mickey John H MacNeil, Shannon was introduced to the world of the Gaelic speaker and began learning songs, stories, community and family histories.
Shannon is a bridge for the learner into the world of the Nova Scotian Gael and is a dedicated professional and passionate about sharing all she has learned with others. She designs and hosts extended immersion sessions throughout the province and has planned events such as A’ Togail na Gàidhlig month-long live-in Gaelic language and cultural immersion and the 8-month immersion program, Cainnt is Cànan. She has worked at the Highland Village Museum as a Cultural Experiences Coordinator and now works as Outreach & Engagement Officer with Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig / the Office of Gaelic Affairs. She’s passionate about celebrating Gàidhlig language and culture and creating spaces for Gaels to gather.
Deadline to register: May 30, 2025
As part of #KitchenFest! 2025, we are thrilled to see the return of the Big Bash at Colaisde na Gàidhlig | The Gaelic College. We’ll settle into the Great Hall of the Clans museum for a day long event full of amazing local music. Running from 4pm to 10pm, this licensed affair (for ages 19 and above) promises a lineup of four headline acts to keep you entertained all day long. With on-site food and bar services available, attendees will have all they need to go the distance. Plus, if staying nearby, we can help with transportation. We’ll be offering a complimentary shuttle service between our venue and Baddeck. Click the Eventbrite ticket link in our bio to secure your spot and prepare for an unforgettable day in St. Ann’s! (Please note, tickets are non-refundable) #kitchenfest
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@howie.macdonald
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The music, the laughs, the late-night dances... KitchenFest! is back for year 12 and we can’t wait to share what’s in store! This year brings everything you’ve come to love 💃🎻 unforgettable sing-a-longs, toe-tappin’ lively tunes around every corner, and that unmistakable Cape Breton energy, plus some exciting extras!
From intimate songwriters’ circles and the return of a crowd-favourite play, to fresh venues and the Big Bash back for year 2 🎉 it’s shaping up to be our best year yet.
Check out the full lineup at kitchenfest.ca and get ready to join the island-wide kitchen party!
🎻🎶: Rodney MacDonald and Glenn Graham ~ “Traditionally Rockin’”
#kitchenfest
We’re getting ready to soon welcome you back to the Craft Shop here in beautiful St. Ann’s 🌿
Our crew is busy unboxing and setting up a fresh wave of stunning new work 🎨 including these gorgeous pieces from Nancy Keating’s art studio ✨
So make plans for St. Ann’s 🗓️ Starting Monday, May 26, we’ll be open 6 days a week 🛍️ We can’t wait to see you 👋
#ShopLocal #SupportArtists
🌸 Gàidhlig as t-Earrach | Spring Gaelic Weekend 🌸
June 6 – 8, 2025
A bheil sibh a’ sireadh cothrom gus Gàidhlig a bhruidhinn agus na sgilean cànan agaibh a leasachadh? Thigibh dhan cheann-seachdain, Gàidhlig as t-Earrach, far am bi clasaichean ann airson gach ìre agus far am bi naidheachdan, òrain, ceòl, danns’, agus capadaich gu leòr ann. (19+)
Are you looking for an opportunity to speak Gaelic and improve on your language skills? Come to our Spring Gaelic Immersion Weekend, Gàidhlig as t-Earrach, where there will be classes offered for every level and where we will be engaging in Gaelic stories, songs, music, dance, and plenty of Gaelic conversation. (19+)
Beginner: Shannon MacMullin, Intermediate: Lewis MacKinnon, Fluent Speakers: Joyce MacDonald
Arrival: 6:30pm Friday (or 8:30am Saturday)
Departure: 3:00pm Sunday
Deadline: May 30, 2025
Bringing Gaelic right to you! ✨
Next offering: September 2025 – April 2026
Beinn Mhàbu (a campus of Colaisde na Gàidhlig) is pleased to present Gaelic Online – Fighte Fuaighte – a Scottish Gaelic language program dedicated to teaching its students to speak, read, and write the language. Its goal is to provide a fun and effective pathway to Gaelic fluency wherever you live. The program was established in 2004 and has been under the direction of Beinn Mhàbu/Colaisde na Gàidhlig since 2018.
Bana-Ghàidheil gu smior! Gaels to the core!
We’re excited that applications are open for the 2025/26 Na Gaisgich Òga | The Young Heroes program! Heading into our 13th year, this unique opportunity is for Nova Scotia youth aged 10 to 16 who have a strong interest in Gaelic language and culture.
Know someone who’d be a perfect fit? Find all the details and apply on our site.
Abair thusa càirdeas! What a friendship!
We’re so excited to announce that applications are open for the 2025/26 Na Gaisgich Òga | The Young Heroes program!
Heading into our 13th year, this unique opportunity is for Nova Scotia youth aged 10 to 16 who have a strong interest in Gaelic language and culture.
Know someone who’d be a perfect fit? Find all the details and apply via website.
Thanks to the generosity of culturally-minded donors, we have a limited amount of money to give away to registered summer youth students in need of financial help. Applications are due Friday, May 16, 2025 and successful students will be notified by mid-June.
Letters of support (from teachers, coaches, etc.) assist in the advocating of students and are necessary for bursary consideration. Please forward them ahead of deadline to info@gaeliccollege.edu.
Application form available on website.
Chan eil an geamhradh buileach deiseil fhathast!
The winter is not completely finished just yet!
Fìor dheagh ghaisgich a’ seo! ~ Here are some real true heroes!
We’re so excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025/26 Na Gaisgich Òga | The Young Heroes program!
Heading into our 13th year, this unique opportunity is for Nova Scotia youth aged 10 to 16 who have a strong interest in Gaelic language and culture.
Know someone who’d be a perfect fit? Find all the details and apply through our site.
Let the next chapter of NGO begin! 🌟
‘S mór ar toileachadh fàilt’ a chur air Màiri Britton! We are pleased to welcome back Màiri Britton as our Course Lecturer for An Cùrsa Bogaidh, the Four-Week Immersion Course! Interested in joining us this year? Submit your application before the end of the day!
Join us for Ceum Air Adhart: A Step Forward, a two-week advanced beginner Gaelic immersion course from May 5 – May 16! Led by Joyce MacDonald, the program includes 28 hours of classroom instruction, two guided excursions to explore Gaelic history and culture, and engaging social activities in Gaelic. Apply by April 11.
