Best of Cape Breton's Celtic Attractions
The island's strong Celtic heritage can be traced back to the 1770s when thousands of Gaelic-speaking Scots began to settle in Cape Breton to escape the Highland Clearances and famine. Gaelic, which is a branch of the Celtic languages, was also spoken by a high number of Irish immigrants who moved to the island in the 1700s. As the Scottish and Irish moved to Canada to pursue different opportunities, they kept their love of good singing, music and dance a major part of their new lives.
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| Driving Through Mabou1 |
THE BEST CELTIC DRIVE
Perhaps the best way to begin discovering the island's Celtic attractions is with a leisurely drive on Ceilidh Trail. As visitors explore this trail, which starts in Port Hastings and ends at Margaree Harbour, they can admire the Mabou Highlands, relax on sandy beaches, go for a swim and partake in some Celtic activities. The peak season to take this scenic drive is during summer when communities like Mabou, Judique and Inverness party the warm nights away with foot-thumping fiddle music and fast square dances. Throughout the summer months, ceilidhs and concerts are scheduled regularly in local halls.
THE BEST AND BIGGEST CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL
In October, when Cape Breton's fall colours are at their most vibrant, communities across the island come alive with a flurry of Celtic events. Workshops on Gaelic language, traditional dances and Celtic storytelling are just a few of the annual events that are included in the Celtic Colours International Festival's nine-day line-up. Throughout the festival, talented local artists and top international Celtic artists work together on stage to create beautiful Gaelic songs on bagpipes and fiddles in a series of energetic concerts. The festival, which was established in 1997, continues to draw thousands of visitors each year to celebrate Celtic culture and music. Since the festival is set in autumn, visitors can marvel at the radiant shades of red and yellow foliage as they drive to scheduled events around the island.
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| The Cape Breton Countryside is Reminiscent of Rural Ireland2 |
When Scotsman Donald 'Og' MacNeil first caught sight of the Iona area in Cape Breton while serving in the British Army, he immediately saw the area's settlement potential. On a trip back to Barra, Scotland, MacNeil told his family about the Iona's thick forests and large supply of fish. Although MacNeil was killed in the Siege of Quebec in 1759, his family never forgot his advice. So, in the early 1800s the MacNeils began to leave Scotland for Iona. Today, Iona's Scottish past is present inside the Highland Village museum and cultural centre. The establishment is set up like a traditional Gaelic village and features costumed staff, demonstrations on Gaelic language and crafts, period buildings and artifacts. The centre is also host to the annual Highland Village Day, which consists of Gaelic concerts and dances.
THE BEST PLACE TO SPOT A GAELIC ARTIST
The Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique may be a popular place to research the island's Celtic music through archives and displays, but it is also a great venue to take in live music. The centre hosts weekly ceilidhs during summer and regular music demonstrations with professional artists throughout the year. Focused on educating the public about Celtic music, the interpretive centre also houses a school of fiddling, instrument workshops and the interactive Tom Rankin Exhibit Room, which shares stories and information on Cape Breton's music scene.
THE BEST WAY TO KEEP A CATCHY CELTIC RHYTHM
Visitors travelling to Cape Breton during August should be sure to visit the Johnstown Milling Frolic. The milling frolic, which is a Gaelic tradition where singers pound cloth on a table and sing to the beat, has been an annual event in Johnstown for over 75 years. Although the milling frolic is the highlight of the event, the day also includes a bake sale with homemade treats, demonstrations on how to mill cloth and children's games. The day usually wraps up with a dance that lasts into the early hours of the morning as locals sway to Gaelic sounds.
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| Fiddle Music: Cape Breton's Soundtrack3 |
Originally established in a tiny log cabin by Rev. A.W.R. MacKenzie from the Isle of Skye, Scotland in 1938 to preserve Gaelic culture, the Gaelic College in St. Ann's has gone on to become a premier North American destination in which to study Gaelic language, music and crafts. Non-students can also learn about the area's Gaelic heritage through the college's museum, the Great Hall of the Clans. The museum features pioneer artifacts and displays on the development of the Celt. The hall's collection also includes the Norman MacLeod Heritage Series, which is a set of oil and ink drawings that illustrate Scottish Reverend Norman MacLeod's role in the settlement of St. Ann's.
THE BEST CELTIC EVENTS WITH “CHRISTMAS” SPIRIT
Like many of Cape Breton's communities, Christmas Island's Gaelic festivities are at their height in the summer months. During summer, the small community is home to two of Cape Breton's biggest Gaelic events. Scheduled once a week in July and August is the Gaelic Concert Series. Many of Cape Breton's most talented musicians visit Christmas Island to perform in this revered series.
Another popular annual August event is the Féis An Eilein (Festival of the Island). This Gaelic festival is almost a week long and features Gaelic dances, music, milling frolic ceilidhs, bonfires and singing. The proceeds from the festival are used to promote the community's Celtic heritage through classes on Gaelic language, dance and music.
If you enjoyed this feature,
take a look at these great WorldWeb.com articles:
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History & Attractions in Canada
• Nova
Scotia's Scenic Trails
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- A Road Through Mabou; Mabou, NS, Canada
- A Seaside Farm; Cape Breton, NS, Canada
- A Fiddle Player; NS, Canada
