Always Amazes Me – Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

Today is my last day in Cape Breton. The view outside of my window at Highland Heights Highland Heights Inn, Cape BretonInn is reflective of my mood; there is overcast with a hint of the morning sun beaming out from off in the distance. I’ll miss my sisters and brothers and my parents, including my grandparents. They bring so much happiness into my life that my heart is full. It can never be considered a bad day when I get to return to my new home and be with my husband, and my daughter, but that sinking feeling that comes when you know you are going to miss your family dearly has arrived and is in full force. As the sun comes up and brightens my day, I am reminded of all that learned by acting as a tourist in Cape Breton. Continue reading

Highland Village in Iona, Cape Breton Hosts a Milling Frolic

I hail from a Gaelic area (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia) but that doesn’tMilling Frolic Celtic Colours exactly make me Gaelic. I’m ignorant when it comes to my heritage and my culture. I wish I could say otherwise, but it would be untrue. This week, I’ve been learning about my roots and my “Celtic Colours”; I’ve become a tourist in my hometown and I’m catching up on a few things that I’d been blind to as a youth. I’ve attended The Cape Breton Fiddlers at the Gaelic College, Our Gaelic Kids in Christmas Island, and a Traditional Ceilidh in Iona (the video is to follow within the next few days). Today, I took one more step into learning about the Gaelic community by attending a Milling Frolic at the Highland Village in Iona. Continue reading

Our Gaelic Kids: Ar Clann Ghàidhealach

Gaelic wasn’t offered in the Cape Breton school system when I attended, but after years ofOur Gaelic Kids - Celtic Colours Nova Scotia effort in homes, communities, and organizations, it is on the rise again. Today, in Christmas Island, I witnessed the evidence of a thriving Gaelic culture and community. Three generations of Gaelic signers performed at the Christmas Island Fire Hall. There wasn’t a seat left in the house as students from the Core Gaelic Program in two schools joined with their elders for an afternoon of song and dance. Continue reading

What Happened to My Gaelic?

Jumping right into the Celtic Colours Festival, I drove to Cape Breton this morning and Celtic-Colours-Cape-Breton-Fiddlersarrived at the Gaelic College in enough time to experience The Cape Breton Fiddlers. I was instantly inspired by fiddlers of all ages and already felt an overwhelming desire to learn how to play an instrument. They moved in unison and harmoniously performed island songs from local artists. But it was when I saw Leanne Aucoin lead the group in musical perfection that I started to wonder, “What happened to my Gaelic?” Continue reading