Highland Village Museum

10/16/2026

Many thanks to everyone who attended the Alex Francis MacKay Memorial Lecture last night with Kenneth MacKenzie, who spoke about traditional music and Gaelic development to a near capacity crowd in the Welcome Centre. Sin thu fhèin a Choinnich! Móran taing!

10/14/2026

A-màireach! Tomorrow!

Add this to your list of must-attend events during Celtic Colours! Kenneth MacKenzie will be giving a free talk at Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village about Traditional Music and Gaelic Development on Thursday, October 15 at 7PM.

MacKenzie is a well-known fiddler and piper who has been nominated for both Music Nova Scotia and East Coast Music Awards. Raised in a Gaelic speaking home in Mabou, he is also the former Vice-President of Beinn Mhàbu, the Gaelic College campus in Mabou, and the current chair of Taigh Sgoile na Drochaide, an independent, Gaelic immersion primary school he helped found in his home town.

In this talk, entitled ‘Tension and Resonance: Who Tunes the Strings? Music, Dissonance, and a Vision for Gaelic Development’ MacKenzie will look at the connection between Gaelic speech and traditional music, reflecting on institutional dynamics and offering a constructive vision for how organizations can best serve the living tradition.

If you’re interested in the music and culture of Gaelic Nova Scotia, this event is not-to-be-missed! Thigibh ann!

Ur beatha Baile nan Gàidheal.

10/11/2026

Beannachdan Là a' Bhuidheachais dhuibh! | Happy Thanksgiving!🍂
Tha gu leòr cho math ri cuilm. | Enough is as good as a feast.

10/08/2026

Only a few tickets remain for Oidhche nam Bòcan | Night of the Spirits!👻

The spirits are stirring, and tickets are disappearing fast!
Join us on October 23 & 24 for an evening of eerie tales, spooky surprises and traditional Halloween fun as you explore the Village by lamplight. 🎃

Don't wait until it's too late! Grab your tickets before they're gone. Prepaid reservations are required, and tickets will not be available at the door.

https://highland-village.checkfront.com/reserve/

10/07/2026

Heading our way during Celtic Colours? 🍂

If you’re travelling from Baddeck to Baile nan Gàidheal, we’ve put together this handy map to help you find your way!

The route includes the Little Narrows Ferry and a short 4 km detour via John Neil George Road before bringing you back onto Highway 223 toward the Village.

Give yourself a little extra travel time, enjoy the beautiful fall scenery along the way, and we’ll see you on the Hill!

10/06/2026

Add this to your list of must-attend events during Celtic Colours! Kenneth MacKenzie will be giving a free talk at Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village about Traditional Music and Gaelic Development on Thursday, October 15 at 7PM.

MacKenzie is a well-known fiddler and piper who has been nominated for both Music Nova Scotia and East Coast Music Awards. Raised in a Gaelic speaking home in Mabou, he is also the former Vice-President of Beinn Mhàbu, the Gaelic College campus in Mabou, and the current chair of Taigh Sgoile na Drochaide, an independent, Gaelic immersion primary school he helped found in his home town.

In this talk, entitled ‘Tension and Resonance: Who Tunes the Strings? Music, Dissonance, and a Vision for Gaelic Development’ MacKenzie will look at the connection between Gaelic speech and traditional music, reflecting on institutional dynamics and offering a constructive vision for how organizations can best serve the living tradition.

If you’re interested in the music and culture of Gaelic Nova Scotia, this event is not-to-be-missed! Thigibh ann!

Ur beatha Baile nan Gàidheal.

10/05/2026

Our next Home of Our Hearts Lottery - Triage: Chez nous, au coeur de nos arts draw takes place this Thursday! ♥️🎟️

To make this raffle successful, we're calling on you! Every little bit, and every ticket purchased helps.

Our next draw closes on Thursday, October 8th at noon - grab your tickets now and encourage others to get involved too: https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/cbccd/?mc_cid=2c1b145101&mc_eid=38f2d1d2d4

Every ticket purchased for the Home of Our Hearts Lottery helps build momentum for 13 diverse arts and culture organizations that make our communities stronger. By supporting this unique fundraiser, you're investing in local charities, community programs, and the people who rely on them every day.

Together, we're creating lasting impact, one ticket at a time.

Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design
Cape Breton Music Industry Cooperative.
Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village Museum
Colaisde na Gàidhlig / The Gaelic College, St. Ann's Campus
The Savoy Theatre
Cabot Trail Writer’s Festival
Inverness County Centre for the Arts
Celtic Colours International Festival
Highland Arts Theatre
Eltuek Arts Centre
La Société Saint-Pierre (Les Trois Pignons)
Société Mi-Carême
Theatre Baddeck

10/01/2026

A limited number of tickets have just become available for Eilean Breagha | Beautiful Island, part of the Celtic Colours International Festival, taking place on October 15th, 2026 at 2:00pm.

Perched high on the Hill with views stretching across all four counties of Cape Breton Island, the Malagawatch Church offers a truly special setting for an afternoon of Gaelic song, music and tradition.

When Gaels arrived from Scotland, they brought their language, music and culture with them, traditions that continue to live on here in Iona and throughout Nova Scotia. This concert celebrates that living heritage, bringing together artists from Nova Scotia, Scotland and Ireland.

Featuring Mary Jane Lamond, Kathleen MacInnes, Laoise Kelly, Kendra MacGillivray and Abigail MacDonald.

We hope you’ll spend the afternoon with us for a celebration of Gaelic music and tradition in one of Cape Breton Island’s most beautiful settings.

https://highlandvillagegiftshop.ca/products/celtic-colours-tickets-2026

09/30/2026

Today was a meaningful day of listening, learning, and reflecting.

We began the morning with a flag raising, followed by a smudging and prayer led by John Sylliboy. L’nu artist Jessie Young shared her beautiful beadwork and knowledge with visitors, and we were honoured to have members of the Allison Bernard Memorial High School drum group share traditional songs with everyone gathered.

In the afternoon, we had the privilege of listening to Dr. Lottie Johnson, Residential School Survivor and Elder from Eskasoni, as she shared her experiences and reflections with us.
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Johnson for the generosity, strength and openness with which she shared her story. We know that speaking about these experiences carries great weight, and we are thankful to everyone who came with open hearts to listen, learn and reflect together.

Our sincere thanks to Dr. Johnson, Jessie Young, the members of the Allison Bernard Memorial High School drum group, and everyone who helped make today possible. A very special thank you to John Sylliboy for his guidance and for helping bring this meaningful day together.

Fìrinn agus Réite: Gabhaibh sinn an t-slighe còmhla
Truth and Reconciliation: We will walk the path together.

Wela’lioq | Tapadh leibh | Thank you 🧡

09/29/2026

Tomorrow, September 30, we will be open with free admission as we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

We are honoured to welcome Dr. Lottie Johnson, a residential school Survivor and Elder from Eskasoni. A former member of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School Association, Dr. Johnson also represented Atlantic Canada on the Indian Residential School Survivors’ Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Dr. Johnson will share her reflections on residential schools and Truth and Reconciliation at 1:00pm in An t-Àite Cruinneachaidh | The Gathering Place.

To ensure all staff and visitors can attend this important talk together, the Hill will be closed from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.

Admission is free, and all are welcome.

Fìrinn agus Réite: Gabhaibh sinn an t-slighe còmhla
Truth and Reconciliation: We will walk the path together.