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.
Oidhche Shamhna Ghàidhealach | Halloween Gaelic Weekend is coming up, running October 25 – 27, 2024. We’re thrilled to welcome back Carmen MacArthur who will lead the Eadar-mheadhanach | Intermediate class.
Carmen MacArthur comes to us from Gillisdale, Cape Breton. Originally from Pictou County, she became interested in all things surrounding the Gaelic culture during a gap year as a L’Arche assistant in Whycocomagh. She studied Gaelic at St. F.X. University in Antigonish, then traveled to Memorial University in Newfoundland to take an MA in Folklore. She has taught community Gaelic classes from her home, as well as at Cape Breton University and at our satellite campus, Beinn Mhàbu.
Sign up through link in bio!
Please note, our Craft Shop, Museum, and Mabou site Beinn Mhàbu are closed today, Monday, September 30 in observation of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
Thòisich an 12mh ruith dhe Na Gaisgich Òga air an deireadh-seachdain ‘sa chaidh!
We are pleased to introduce this year’s mentor groups for Na Gaisgich Òga 2024-2025!
A great first weekend and start to the program! #GaelicNS
Keep up or dig into some fun learning this fall with youth classes here at the College. Join Anna and Margie on Tuesday evenings for 40-minute sessions in step dance and fiddle, tailored for both beginners and intermediate-advanced students, ages 6-18. Each class is $10, $60 per discipline for the full 6-week program.
Sign up soon through our website.
The deadline to register is October 4. #LearnWithUs
Check out this striking new creation from our cape-making ladies! A creation from Ann Cantwell, this elegant design includes a wide collar and belted waist. Available in our Craft Shop now for $239.99.
If interested and can’t make it to St. Ann’s, give us a call at 902-295-3441 or email craftshop@gaeliccollege.edu. We ship around the world!
Oidhche Shamhna Ghàidhealach | Halloween Gaelic Weekend is coming up, running October 25 – 27, 2024. We’re thrilled to welcome back Catrìona Parsons who will lead the Clas nam Fileantach | Fluent Speakers class.
Catriona Parsons was born and raised in the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. After graduation from Edinburgh University, she taught English and Linguistics in the United States. In 1978, she began 30 years of Gaelic teaching here during the College’s Summer School. She also taught in the Celtic Department, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. After retiring, Catriona worked six years in the new Provincial Office of Gaelic Affairs. She continues her efforts on behalf of Gaelic which gives her much joy. She has authored two Gaelic courses, Gàidhlig troimh Chòmhradh for the Gaelic College and Seallagain for the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; as well as the book Saoghal na Gàidhlig/The Gaelic Way, and Cridhe ’s Anam / Heart and Soul, a book of her poetry.
Sign up now! Link in bio.
It’s the perfect wee accessory that’s both colourful and practical ~ the College’s own line of tartan purses! Cindy makes these upstairs just above the Shop and are a favourite item in these parts. Get yours before they’re gone! Just $38.99 + tax
Thinking of a visit to the Great Hall of the Clans museum? Our doors are open here (M-F, 9am-4:30pm) up until Celtic Colours, but if hoping to catch our cultural demonstrations, we wrap those this coming Friday. More on that found here: https://gaeliccollege.edu/visit/cultural-demonstrations/
It’s been another great season of sharing elements of our Gaelic culture with visitors from here and around the world. We asked staff members who regularly interact with tourists in our museum or Craft Shop, or conduct our daily demos to share the most common questions they are asked in the run of a day:
❔ Colin: What’s the difference between Irish and Scottish Gaelic?
❔ Rodney: What’s the difference between a fiddle and a violin?
❔ Margie: What sort of shoes do you wear to dance?
❔ Gail: What is worn underneath the kilt?
❔ Jenni: How long does it take to make a kilt?
❔ Joyce: How did you learn Gaelic and to tell stories?
❔ Darlene: Can you help me find my family tartan?
❔ Linda R: Is this made locally?
❔ Wanda: What’s a milling frolic?
❔ Cindy: Where are the washrooms?
To find out the answers to all this and more, swing by and visit us in St. Ann’s! ☺️
One more summer recap, this time of youth session 3! The place was packed once again, and there wasn’t a dull moment to be found. We had so much fun, and sure hope this crew did too. Now, keep going! Sin sibh fhèin!
If in need of adding a little more tartan to your wardrobe, look no further ladies! Our seamstress Cindy is always busy creating so many beautiful pieces for our tartan room, like this fringed poncho and triangular shawl. Swing by and see for yourself, or call our Shop directly: 902-295-3441.
Save the date! KitchenFest! will return for year 12, June 27-July 5, 2025. We hope you will be too! #kitchenfest!
Thigibh uile dhan deireadh-seachdain, Oidhche Shamhna Ghàidhealach, far am bi sinn a’ comharrachadh an dualchais aig na Gàidheil a’ cuairteachadh Oidhche Shamhna. Bidh clasaichean Gàidhlig do dh’inbhich ann, fuarag, òrain, naidheachdain, seiseanan ciùil, dannsa, le bòcain is spòrs gu leòr! (19+)
Come one, come all to our Halloween Gaelic Weekend, where we will be celebrating the traditions of the Gaels surrounding Halloween. There will be Gaelic language classes for adults, fuarag, a milling frolic, a storytelling session, music sessions, a square dance, with plenty of spooks and fun! (19+)
Arrival: 6:30pm Friday
Departure: 3:00pm Sunday
Deadline: Friday, October 18th
To find out more and register, click the link in our bio.
