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 is your chance to delve into the language and culture in a meaningful way!
Fighte Fuaighte can be translated as “woven together.” It implies a deep and meaningful connection through years, through places, between regions, people, and worlds. Let us help you make a deeper connection with yourself, your own heritage and with a culture dating back thousands of years.
28 weeks of conversational and written Scottish Gaelic classes running from Sep 1st, 2025 through April 2026.
And back again this year, Level 1 for University Credit with Cape Breton University! Find out full details through link in bio.
Beag air bheag, mar a dh’ith an cat an sgadan ~ Bit by bit, as the cat ate the herring. [Gaelic proverb]](https://gaeliccollege.edu/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
This is your chance to delve into the language and culture in a meaningful way!
Fighte Fuaighte can be translated as “woven together.” It implies a deep and meaningful connection through years, through places, between regions, people, and worlds. Let us help you make a deeper connection with yourself, your own heritage and with a culture dating back thousands of years.
28 weeks of conversational and written Scottish Gaelic classes running from Sep 1st, 2025 through April 2026.
And back again this year, Level 1 for University Credit with Cape Breton University! Find out full details through link in bio.
Beag air bheag, mar a dh’ith an cat an sgadan ~ Bit by bit, as the cat ate the herring. [Gaelic proverb]
Calling all young Gaelic learners! 🌟🏴
A fantastic weekend of Gaelic learning and fun is just around the corner! Caidreamh na h-Òigridh is happening March 28-30 in St. Ann’s for ages 8-18, whether you’re just starting out or building on what you know.
Join awesome instructors Beth Anne MacEachen and Lewis MacKinnon for a weekend full of Gaelic language, music, and activities!
🗓 Register by Monday, March 24 – don’t miss out!
🔗 Full details: Link in bio
✨ As we wrap up another amazing year of March Break sessions, we have to highlight one of our favourite moments - the variety show! For many campers, their time here is filled with firsts: first time away from home, first try at the pipes or fiddle, first square set, and maybe even their first time on stage. This year’s shows were brimming with courage, talent, and plenty of laughs, making for some truly special moments. What a joy to watch these kids shine! ✨
Another epic March Break session is in the books! A whole new gang joined us for the last three days with everyone contributing to make it fly by and a total blast. It wouldn’t be possible without the backbone team of college kitchen crew, housekeeping, and maintenance, our generous and caring volunteer house parents, and out-of-this-world talented and fun instructors. Thanks to the parents that say yes to signing up their youngins, and these brave little sweethearts that follow through and bring the place to life. 💕
This March Break, we introduced a new arrangement class for our advanced fiddle students, exploring how to arrange our repertoire, prepare for square dances, and experiment with string arrangements. A huge thanks to our guitar instructor, Darren McMullen, for contributing this beautiful three-part arrangement of Ashokan Farewell. Well done to Jordi, Luke, Ian, Maya, Housemom Laura, Charlotte, and Sarah Ann for bringing it to life!
We’re so proud of these young leaders and longtime students of the College. They stepped into the role of Junior Instructors this March Break helping with step dance, fiddle, and Gaelic classes, in addition to fun recreation activities after class. Cùm Ort! Keep it up! Thank you Charlotte Jackson and Ian Krill. 💕
We’re well into our post-class cultural evening, hearing from some of our outstanding instructors about their own learning journeys and what fuels their passion to this day. An engaged and thoughtful audience made for a great discussion, and now we’re diving into a lively milling frolic and square dance!
We’re right into the thick of March Break Session 2 already! A lively bunch just finished their morning class, a tasty lunch, and rousing game of musical chairs. The sun is out and we’re raring to go!
In recent years, we’ve been wrapping up our March Break and summer sessions a little differently—with one big square set! While we always appreciate a great recital, we also love highlighting the social side of our culture, not just the performance aspect or goal focused. This way, there’s no pressure—just lively fun! And for those who get up the courage to perform, they still get their moment, sharing their talents with the group the night before in a relaxed, supportive setting. ☺️
Our first March Break session has officially wrapped and what a blast it was! Cozy and sweet and full of such respectful, lovely young people keen to learn. We hope the suppertime table stories are lively and hilarious, and that we all practice for a good half hour tonight! And tomorrow night! ☺️ keep it up! See you all again soon we hope! #learnwithus
A lively lunch here in St. Ann’s for day 2 of March Break 1! We are so thrilled to see some first-time College instructors here with us, most of whom are former students. We’ve got Iain MacQuarrie teaching piano, Cameron MacNeil teaching piping, Màili MacKenzie leading our Fàs class, and Malcolm MacNeil teaching guitar. Additionally, we have Eilidh Campbell teaching stepdance for the first time, and Abigail MacDonald teaching Gaelic here for the first time. And they’re doing so well! Hard to keep from smiling! ☺️
It’s one of our most favourite times of year at the College - good ol’ March Break!! Our first session keeners came in last night and this morning, and just like that, we’re rounding the bases on our first day of class almost done! We’re busy learning chords, playing Gaelic games, and making fast friends. So far, real good! 👍🏻☺️👍🏻
