Experience the Gaelic culture and head back to school! The Gaelic College of Arts and Crafts is devoted to the preservation of the culture, music, language, arts, crafts, customs and traditions of the immigrants from the Highlands of Scotland. Visit the Gaelic College Craft Shop, one of the finest on the Island, featuring custom made Tartan clothing and hand woven attire. Learn about Gaelic culture in the Great Hall of the Clans and explore the new Rev. Norman MacLeod Exhibit.
The Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts, located at 51779 Cabot Trail Road, was founded in 1938 by Rev. A.W.R. MacKenzie as a school devoted to the study and preservation of the Gaelic language and Celtic arts and culture. The 350-acre property, with 7 km walking and hiking trails, is situated in the heart of one of the earliest Scottish settlements in Cape Breton. The College began as a school of Gaelic language in a small log cabin overlooking St. Ann’s Bay.
From its humble beginnings, this unique institution has expanded and gained an international reputation for its contribution to the maintenance and preservation of the language and culture. The only institution of its kind in North America, students of all ages and ability travel here from around the world to study. Our world-class instructors offer programs in Scottish traditional disciplines including Gaelic language and song, music, dance and crafts.
As you enter the property, you can visit the Gaelic College Craft Shop, which specializes in Celtic gifts, tartans and supplies for disciplines taught at the school. Our unique, hand woven scarves; one of a kind shawls; ponchos and pillows created by master weaver, Marie MacDonald, are available for purchase. Kilt makers are on site, providing custom made, traditional, hand-sewn kilts, kilted skirts, dancing kilts and other items such as custom made ties, sashes, vests, etc. The kilt makers also offer kilt making demonstrations onsite in the gift shop, Monday through Friday from 1-3 PM, during the summer months.
The campus also includes The Great Hall of the Clans Interpretive Museum. A “walk-around” exhibit traces the history and development of the Celt from ancient times through to the Highland Clearances. Eight interpretive stations portray the cultural and linguistic contributions of Gaels in Nova Scotia to the social fibre of this province and country. The newly established MacLeod Exhibit, set in the 1800′s tells the story of Rev. Norman MacLeod, his journey from Scotland to St. Ann’s and later on to Waipu, New Zealand. It is a fascinating tale that interprets the life of the man and the preacher through both audio and visual allowing each visitor to know the history and experience one of the most remarkable migrations in history. The Hall also houses a small theatre where visitors can view Faire Chaluim Mhic Leòid, North America’s first Gaelic-language short film, shot in the highlands of Cape Breton.
“The Hall of Clans is amazing!” “Experience has a WOW factor and will blow the visitor away.”- Dr. Laurel Reid-Tourism Synergy.
