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.
This past weekend, this wonderful group of instructors gathered for a professional development retreat at the College. Despite our busy schedules, we made time for meaningful discussions on teaching, traditions, our roles in the community, and the preservation of the intangible aspects we cherish.
We were privileged to visit with esteemed members of the community; native Gaelic speaker and elder Joe MacKinnon along with John Allan MacDonald, followed by language, cultural, and community advocates Bernadette Campbell and Ronnie MacEachen. Their contributions provided such valuable perspectives and roots to our discussions.
The retreat also included a delightful meal at the Inverary in nearby Baddeck, an evening of music, songs, and stories shared among friends, and a beautiful Gaelic mass celebrated by Fr. David Rankin.
We are immensely grateful to everyone who attended and to Gaelic Affairs for their financial support. We look forward to many more enriching gatherings like this in the future!
An Nollaig Ghàidhealach, the Christmas Gaelic weekend is coming up, running December 13 – 15, 2024. We’re thrilled to welcome back Lewis MacKinnon who will lead the Clas nam Fileantach | Fluent Speakers class.
Lewis MacKinnon was born in Inverness, Cape Breton, to a father who is a Gael and is a Gaelic speaker and a mother who is Acadian and is a French speaker. He was raised on the Nova Scotia mainland in Antigonish County. In 2011, he was named the poet laureate to the Royal National Mòd in Scotland. He works to advance Gaels’ language, culture and identity in Nova Scotia, Canada and internationally, serving as executive director of Gaelic Affairs for the Province of Nova Scotia. He lives with his family in Middle Sackville near Halifax.
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Mìle taing dhuibh uile! A huge thanks to everyone who took part in our Youth Gaelic Weekend!🤩
Students travelled from as far as Halifax to attend, including a crew from Citadel High. We would like to send a special thanks out to the Baddeck Legion, and to everyone who helped organized the dance on Saturday night. We had a blast! 🎶
We also want to thank our teachers and chaperones who were key in making the weekend a success! Tapadh leibh! 👏
An Nollaig Ghàidhealach, the Christmas Gaelic weekend is coming up, running December 13 – 15, 2024. We’re thrilled to welcome back Hannah Krebs who will lead the Luchd-tòiseachaidh | Beginner class.
Growing up in Ontario, Hannah Krebs began learning Gaelic when she moved to Nova Scotia for university. Since then, she has undertaken numerous opportunities through school and in the community to learn Gaelic, and appreciates every chance she gets to soak in Nova Scotia’s Gaelic culture. Hannah holds a BA (Hons.) in Celtic Studies from St. FX and a HE Certificate in Gàidhlig is Conaltradh from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. She has spent the last few years working at Baile nan Gàidheal, the Highland Village Museum in Iona, now teaching language in community, and enjoys singing in Gaelic, dancing, and playing the concertina.
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Having such a blast with this great crop of local fiddleheads! Full of talent and fun, we are excited to watch them grow. We wrap our fall classes in both fiddle and dance soon, but hope the music and steps continue for years to come. ☺️
Our last youth Gaelic weekend was such a good time - join us for our next one coming up November 22-24! With Na Gaisgich Òga participants attending, it’s a great chance to learn about the program, focus on Gaelic language skills, and meet other young people enthusiastic about culture.
The deadline to register is Monday so act now!
Two fantastic action-packed weekends of learning coming right up here at the College! #LearnWithUs
First up, the return of the Youth Gaelic Weekend - November 22-24, 2024. Designed for ages 8 – 18, this weekend allows new students a chance to get a taste for Gaelic and offers more seasoned learners an opportunity to use Gaelic with one another and further hone their skills. The goal is to bring young Gaelic learners together, foster existing friendships, and help build new ones. Also taking part in the weekend is our youth mentorship program, Na Gaisgich Òga/The Young Heroes.
🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣🟣🔵🟢🟡🟠🔴🔴🟠🟡🟢🔵🟣
It’s not long now until another most favourite time of year, An Nollaig Ghàidhealach, the Christmas Gaelic Weekend - December 13 – 15, 2024. Improve your language skills with lots of classroom and social time in this annual gathering. Cozy and comfortable, our aim is to encourage you on your learning journey while celebrating the joys of the season. For those 19+
Full details online! Gaeliccollege.edu
So nice to have a school visit into the College today! Grades 3, 4, and 5 from Munro Academy took in a Hall of the Clans scavenger hunt, milling frolic, and square dance lesson, all before noon. A super fun morning with a pile of terrific kids.
If ever keen to visit with your class, connect with Gail - gail@gaeliccollege.edu
#learnwithus
Save the dates! More learning coming right up!
Just a reminder, our Craft Shop closes for the season soon. This will be our last weekend open, then we wrap up on Friday, October 25. Our hours next week will be 9am-4pm, and we’ll sneak in a few bonus hours this Sunday open 11am-2pm. We hope you’ll come see us!
We know everyone is getting in lots of sight-seeing, unreal music, and catch ups, but are you leaving a little time for shopping? ☺️ If on the hunt for official Celtic Colours merchandise, you can not only find it for sale at select concerts all week, but also right here in St. Ann’s! Tshirts and hoodies, travel mugs and tote bags, and more - there’s a great variety and size range. Come on in and see for yourself. We are open until 4:30pm.
It’s back!! Happy Celtic Colours one and all! 🎻🍂🌞
We are so thrilled to once again partner with the festival in many ways - be it in use of our campus for staff, volunteers, and artists, in our two shows and community meal coming up, or in housing the famed Festival Club which kicks off tomorrow night, Saturday, October 12! We are also carrying items from the 2024 festival merch collection which you just have to come in and see for yourself! Don’t miss a visit to the Shop which will close up for the season soon after the festivities wrap for another year.
Wherever you find yourself during these next 9 days, we sure do hope a bit of that Celtic Colours magic finds and inspires you. Here’s to another amazing, safe, and glorious festival! Slàinte Mhath! 🎻🍂🌞
