Experience It All: Celtic Colours, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Posted on October 14, 2012 by lesleycarter

Ciad Mile Failte!

For the past 9 days, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, was home to a unique celebration of music and culture called the Celtic Colours International Festival. Celtic Colours promotes, celebrates, and develops Cape Breton’s Celtic culture through concerts, outdoor events, visual art series, participatory events, community meals, and learning opportunities. You may have physically missed the 2012 Celtic Colours, but you can experience it all through my 7 days in Cape Breton at The Celtic Colours.

Enjoy Cape Breton fiddling with The Cape Breton Fiddlers

Participate in a Milling Frolic

Sea for yourself at Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design at the Exhibit: Sea and Sky – Visual Art Series

Celebrate the bagpipes with Rankin MacInnis

Learn from experience at a Traditional Ceilidh

Share in song at Highland Village

From Gaelic singing, Cape Breton fiddling, local dance traditions, and afternoons filled with bagpiping, story-telling, and learning opportunities, I spent the week immersed in Cape Breton’s Gaelic culture. I hope you feel like you’ve experienced it with me. Maybe next year we can really celebrate together.

63 thoughts on “Experience It All: Celtic Colours, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia”

Ok So Far on October 14, 2012 at 8:37 pm said:

Oh, this was such a lovely series of posts! I do feel a bit like I was tagging along! Thanks so much for sharing this. What a wonderful celebration!

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- lesleycarter on October 16, 2012 at 6:31 pm said:
  
  The Celtic Colours is heightened by the beautiful people of Cape Breton 🙂
  
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  - supportmyeffort on October 17, 2012 at 6:27 pm said:
    
    I like that! Lesley, great job on your website.
    
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Clanmother on October 14, 2012 at 8:44 pm said:

Thank you so much for sharing Nova Scotia!!! My home away from home…

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Deb W. Trotter on October 14, 2012 at 8:58 pm said:

The community spirit is palpable in your posts and videos. Wonderful!

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The Palladian Traveler on October 14, 2012 at 9:35 pm said:

Outstanding post!

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kaichronicles on October 14, 2012 at 9:38 pm said:

Hi Lesley,
I’ve named you as a very inspiring blogger. See my post to pick up the award!!

http://kaichronicles.com/2012/10/15/always-celebrate-your-wins/

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- lesleycarter on October 16, 2012 at 6:32 pm said:
  
  Thank you for the award! I’m now following your blog and I will check back regularly. I appreciate your support and wish you a world of success.
  
  🙂
  
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  - kaichronicles on October 16, 2012 at 10:32 pm said:
    
    You are most welcome. And thanks back at ya!
    
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canoe & communications on October 14, 2012 at 9:39 pm said:

Really enjoyed the post and music. You’ve some world class fiddlers up there. 🙂

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drishism on October 14, 2012 at 10:07 pm said:

I enjoy following your adventures! You live an amazing life : )

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yepirategunn on October 14, 2012 at 10:11 pm said:

Fantastic stuff! Really very interesting.

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Will of Heart on October 14, 2012 at 10:27 pm said:

I love and enjoying reading this post….

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Jody Thompson on October 14, 2012 at 10:34 pm said:

Really cool post!!

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sakuraandme on October 15, 2012 at 1:24 am said:

How cool is this!!..I feel like dancing!

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festivalking on October 15, 2012 at 1:58 am said:

🙂 Must have been an experience!

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Debbie Robson on October 15, 2012 at 2:26 am said:

Thank you for sharing!

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livingthescottishdream on October 15, 2012 at 3:02 am said:

Absolutely LOVED watching your footage!!! I love the bagpipes and violins too! It’s brightened my already bright morning!! 😀 Big smile on my face!

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- lesleycarter on October 16, 2012 at 6:33 pm said:
  
  The singing is what warms my heart. I played it this morning and Athena listened contently once again. It truly is magical. 🙂
  
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  - livingthescottishdream on October 17, 2012 at 1:52 am said:
    
    It certainly is 🙂
    
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allinthedayofme on October 15, 2012 at 3:58 am said:

I loved watching and listening to the singers, dancers, musicians, etc. Thanks so much for sharing with us! It must have been a very fun week for you! 😉

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anewcatsworld on October 15, 2012 at 5:32 am said:

A thousand greetings to you as well. And a thousand thanks for this series.

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K. Bailey Fucanan on October 15, 2012 at 6:45 am said:

Love this! Thank you. I so want to go and experience it for myself.

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Jett on October 15, 2012 at 7:22 am said:

I never realized there was such a celebration of Celtic culture north of the border until you started blogging about it. Kewl. 🙂

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Beth Saunders on October 15, 2012 at 7:29 am said:

COOL! I grew up in Nova Scotia until 5 years ago when I went to study in Newfoundland (and now find myself in Prague for a semester). I must admit though I have only once been to Cape Breton to take the ferry to NL (I’m from the other side of the province). Super awesome you’ve been there though =)

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mettapanda on October 15, 2012 at 9:11 am said:

Thank you so much. My husband and I spent our honeymoon at the Celtic Colours Festival 10 years ago. After having an anniversary party on Saturday, what a wonderful surprise for me to be reminded of my honeymoon via blog on Monday!

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thoughtsfromanamericanwoman on October 15, 2012 at 10:15 am said:

Thank you so much, we just returned from a cruise that took us to beautiful Nova Scotia…we just missed the festival but was hearing plenty about it. I keep telling everyone I left my heart in Nova Scotia – so I will be back and this time to make this festival.

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- lesleycarter on October 16, 2012 at 6:36 pm said:
  
  So many tourist make Nova Scotia their home after a visit. It is a beautiful land, except for the extremely cold winters 🙂
  
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  - thoughtsfromanamericanwoman on October 17, 2012 at 4:59 pm said:
    
    I can understand that…I am ready to move now…cold doesn’t bother me too much..that is why we have sweaters, coats, gloves…etc… 🙂 I own more sweaters and jackets than summer clothes. I would fit right in!
    
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Michelle Gillies on October 15, 2012 at 10:50 am said:

Thank you for bringing us along on this trip. It’s something I have always wanted to do. I am a huge fan of all things Celtic and learned a lot of new things from your posts.

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- lesleycarter on October 19, 2012 at 10:19 am said:
  
  Thanks Michelle! I appreciate your constant support and words of encouragement. 🙂
  
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Maura Troy on October 15, 2012 at 12:45 pm said:

Wow – I definitely have to put Cape Breton and this festival on my bucket list. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂

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notedinnashville on October 15, 2012 at 1:35 pm said:

These singers real musicians. It reminds me of my childhood in the Church of Christ – A cappella singing only.

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mycraftcave on October 15, 2012 at 3:43 pm said:

i look forward to visiting cape breton, my dad’s hometown, one day. i think i will be planning my visit around this fantastic festival!!! thank-you for your sharing

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Donkey Whisperer Farm on October 15, 2012 at 4:37 pm said:

🙂

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Ray's Mom on October 15, 2012 at 5:16 pm said:

I enjoy your posts. Your new addition will be well traveled before school age…wonderful

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eveningstarjilly on October 15, 2012 at 5:31 pm said:

I love this post. I’m a big Celtic music fan myself and hope to get to the Celtic Colours festival some day. Thanks for visiting my site!

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tonettejoyce on October 15, 2012 at 6:51 pm said:

Thank you so much for sharing all of this!

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worldfamilytravellers on October 15, 2012 at 9:01 pm said:

Great post. I really like the new look of your blog. I’m in awe of the success of your blog. Keep checking items off that bucketlist.

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pajarigirls on October 15, 2012 at 10:20 pm said:

Atta girl! Beautifully done. This post is like a scrapbook and home movie, only I want to do it again. And again. Where are we going next??

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- lesleycarter on October 16, 2012 at 3:52 am said:
  
  Fiji! Stay tuned 🙂
  
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jhwilliams70 on October 16, 2012 at 12:38 am said:

Wow!!! What a fantastic adventure!!!!!

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Janice Sullivan on October 16, 2012 at 10:11 am said:

This is amazing! This makes me miss Ireland 🙂 I need to plan another trip asap.

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Message In A Fold on October 16, 2012 at 10:22 am said:

Thanks for sharing these snippets of your heritage. What fun you had embracing the sights, sounds, and delights of your native Nova Scotia.

Leslie

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glo360 on October 16, 2012 at 11:59 am said:

wonderful post…keep them coming!

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The Hook on October 16, 2012 at 12:34 pm said:

Another beautiful share! Great job – again!

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Small Girl Big World on October 16, 2012 at 3:20 pm said:

I loooove Cape Breton and miss the Maritimes so much, but your posts about it bring me back, 🙂

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lesleycarter on October 16, 2012 at 6:33 pm said:

Thanks for reblogging. I appreciate the support 🙂

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skilletgirl on October 16, 2012 at 7:08 pm said:

Lesley, I have always wanted to visit Nova Scotia and your posts make me want to experience it all the more. Thank you for sharing your lovely trip and the concept of being a “tourist” at home. Maybe I’ll try that idea in my own backyard!

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amfp1007 on October 16, 2012 at 10:00 pm said:

Very nice post. Cape Breton is one of my favourite places in the world.

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Avery Z Chipka on October 16, 2012 at 11:44 pm said:

Im really hoping to get up to Nova Scotia sometime in the near future. I miss the northern east coast. Last time I was up there was in the middle of winter. Needless to say my last experience up there was slightly different then the one you are experiencing now.

One of these days perhaps we will cross paths during our travels.

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rachelmeeks on October 17, 2012 at 11:18 am said:

The bagpiper’s stage is beautiful!

I really enjoyed these short videos – I think this is a great post format. 🙂

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walkwiththerabbi on October 17, 2012 at 12:56 pm said:

Lesley: What’s really wild is that I never even knew about this during my 48 years living in Canada (Toronto). Thanks much for your selfless investment in putting this together. Blessings to you and the family. Hugs from here.

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There for a reason's Rachel on October 17, 2012 at 1:32 pm said:

Bags and bags of fun! 😀

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bestjazzclubs on October 18, 2012 at 12:37 am said:

I’m from French Brittany and listening to this music makes my heart beat a little bit faster :-). Thanks for the post 😀

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Ahren on October 18, 2012 at 9:31 am said:

Great post! I love all the music 🙂

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Jeff Brunson on October 18, 2012 at 11:53 am said:

What a wonderful experience. We just completed our 40th National Storytelling Festival here in Jonesborough, TN. I can only imagine how wonderful all the storytelling experience was for you there!

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kentuckycurmudgeon on October 18, 2012 at 12:43 pm said:

Lesley,

Just wanted to return the favor of your visit and to say I dig all things Celtic. I was wondering if The Rankin Family were in attendance or represented in any way during the festival since they are native denizens of Cape Breton Island. Have always enjoyed their music…

The festival was a joy to attend even if vicariously through your site.

As always…

Bob

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- lesleycarter on October 18, 2012 at 12:52 pm said:
  
  There was a recent death in the Rankin family so they were taking care of things on the home front.
  
  The Celtic Colours is a true expression of Cape Breton culture and an amazing event to attend in person. Maybe you’ll make it there next year 🙂
  
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Apryl on October 19, 2012 at 5:59 am said:

As usual: JEALOUS! You are amazing! Keep it up!! Since you always inspire my list & to keep crossing thing off, I nominated you for 3 reader awards. You can check them out here: http://freetobecourageous.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/food-relief-friday-chocolate-ganache-pudding-reader-nominations-galore/

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storiesbywilliams on October 19, 2012 at 11:14 pm said:

Dammit, the blood is calling. I want to be there too!

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