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.
✨ Calling all young heroes! ✨
Applications are now open for the 2025–2026 run of Na Gaisgich Òga, our 13th year of this amazing program. Starting this September, keen tweens and teens will explore Gaelic culture through fun, friendship, and unforgettable experiences.
Check out this short video to get a feel for what it’s all about!
Know a young person who’d love to be part of it? Share this with them.
More info and registration here:
https://gaeliccollege.edu/session/na-gaisgich-oga/
🎶: Troy MacGillivray
Colaisde na Gàidhlig is offering a week-long Scottish Gaelic immersion session this summer, running August 25–29, 2025, designed especially for beginners with no experience needed!
🌿 Whether you’re learning for the love of it, or you’re a teacher looking for some rich professional development (think Gaelic Studies 11, Social Studies, Nova Scotia history, or elementary classrooms), this is a perfect opportunity.
📚 What’s included?
▪️ Daily language classes: 9:30am–2:00pm
▪️ Workshops & presentations on Gaelic songs, music, dance, and history
▪️ Evening excursions to community events around Cape Breton
▪️ All in a fun, supportive, immersive environment!
💵 Tuition: $350
🏡 On-site accommodations available
To register or learn more, reach out to Joyce MacDonald at joyce@gaeliccollege.edu or visit our website.
Let’s take that first step into Gaelic together! 💬✨
#LearnGaelic #CapeBretonCulture #GaelicImmersion
Looking for a KitchenFest! brochure? We got ‘em! Swing by the Shop if wanting one quick, pick one up at tomorrow night’s ceilidh, and soon, they’ll be around the island. Get your plan on! #kitchenfest!
And big love to designer Emily Rankin (@emthedesigner) for putting together this beautiful guide for us! We love!
We’ve officially wrapped another amazing year of Gaelic Online ~ Fighte Fuaighte, our language program dedicated to helping students speak, read, and write Gàidhlig. And what a journey it’s been!
From right here to down under and around the world, learners committed to at least 3 hours a week from September to April. Along the way, strong bonds were formed, some students joined our on-site immersion month, and others completed the full course series. It’s incredible to witness the passion and growth.
Nach sinne a tha moiteil às na h-oileanaich againn uile! 💙
May your love of the language continue to grow.
Tapadh leibh, agus meal an naidheachd!
We’re now accepting for our next year starting this fall.
Our Craft Shop is open on Saturdays too! Heading to St. Ann’s? Swing by between 9am and 4pm and we’ll ceilidh! We’ve got the coffee on for ya! Hope to see you!
🌸 Gàidhlig as t-Earrach | Spring Gaelic Weekend 🌸
Intermediate Class with Lewis MacKinnon
June 6 – 8, 2025 - tomorrow is our deadline to register.
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.
More info found through link in bio.
🌸 Gàidhlig as t-Earrach | Spring Gaelic Weekend 🌸
June 6 – 8, 2025 - with our deadline to register May 30.
Fluent Speakers Class with Joyce MacDonald
Joyce MacDonald grew up in Mabou, surrounded by Gaelic wit, stories and music. She holds an MA in Celtic Studies, a Bachelor of Journalism and a BA in Russian Studies. She has been involved in Gaelic language teaching and program organization at Colaisde na Gàidhlig for over a decade. She also works part-time at Baile nan Gàidheal as a historical animator. She loves storytelling in all its forms. She now lives in North Sydney, where she volunteers to organize Gaelic immersion social events on behalf of the Cape Breton Gaelic Society.
https://gaeliccollege.edu/session/gaidhlig-as-t-earrach-spring-gaelic-weekend-for-adults/
Our Craft Shop opens for the season this Monday, May 26! We’ll be open Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm and Saturdays 9am-4pm. We can’t wait to see you! #shoplocal
Meallaibh an naidheachd ~ Congratulations to participants in Ceum Air Adhart: A Step Forward, who completed a two-week advanced beginner immersion in Scottish Gaelic last Friday! They baked scones, planted seeds, sang songs, visited the North Shore and Iona, played cards, read books, went hiking and more, all in the Gaelic language. It was wonderful having you here! ☺️
We are set to re-open our Craft Shop doors in just under a week! Come get a first peek and first pick of loads of new items, all with that local or cultural connection. Hoping we see you soon!
🌸 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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