Backgrounder - If You Build It, They Will Ceilidh

Nestled in the community of St. Ann’s, in the heart of Cape Breton Island, Colaisde na Gàidhlig | the Gaelic College is the only institution of its kind in North America. Founded in 1938, it has gained an international reputation for the study and preservation of traditional Gaelic culture, offering instruction in over ten disciplines, and year-round learning and fun. Each year, at the Cape Breton campus and online, students of all ages and abilities from around the world enroll in a variety of courses and immerse themselves in Gaelic traditions.

As a cultural destination, the college provides visitors with a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the living culture of the Nova Scotia Gaelic people.

In the 1930s, the Scottish Gaelic language was under significant threat of dying out. Once spoken by over 100,000 Nova Scotians, the advent of modern transport and communications in the early 20th century began to result in the Gaelic language’s assimilation in Cape Breton Island and across Nova Scotia.

Today, the Gaelic College has a broad mandate to preserve the culture of the Scottish Highlanders who settled in the area. Students from all over North America and around the world attend summer sessions and courses held throughout the year—courses such as a 4-week Gaelic Immersion Course to be held this May. The College also serves as a base of activities for organizations such the Cape Breton Fiddlers' Association and the annual Celtic Colours International Festival.