Scots Gaelic Gets Major Boost in Funding – Celtic Heartland of Cape Breton to Benefit

Scots Gaelic is getting another shot of Government funding.  Earlier this month Scotland’s Bòrd na Gàidhlig, established as a public body by the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 to promote the use of Scottish Gaelic, awarded funding of £150,000 towards the £7 million already received through the Scottish Government for a Gaelic Culture and Language centre in Dalabrog (Daliburgh), South Uist in Scotland’s Gaelic speaking Hebrides.

Now comes word that the Canadian government has awarded 671,000 C$ to the Cape Breton Gaelic College (Colaisde na Gàidhlig). The Gaelic College is located on Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island in what was once a monoglot Gaelic speaking enclave in North America. Founded in 1938, Colaisde na Gàidhlig has established itself in the forefront of efforts to preserve Gaelic culture and has led in the efforts to revitalize the Scots Gaelic tongue in the Canadian Maritime.

Today the Cape Breton Gaelic College is a modern and innovative institution. From its humble beginnings, this unique institution has expanded and gained a reputation for its contribution to the preservation and development of the Scots Gaelic language and culture of Nova Scotia. The only institution of its kind in North America, students of all ages and ability travel here from around the world to study.

Colaisde na Gàidhlig has an international reputation for its contribution to the promotion and preservation of traditional Gaelic culture, offering instruction in over ten disciplines through a year-round academic program. As a cultural destination, it will delight visitors with the unique opportunity to experience first-hand the living culture of the Nova Scotia Gaelic people.

The College curriculum reflects the legacy of what was once a thriving Gaelic speaking Celtic nation. The curriculum includes a program in Gaelic Immersion and Gaelic language instruction in Gaelic drama, Gaelic song and Gaelic storytelling.  Emphasis is also placed on Cape Breton’s rich musical heritage with courses in the Bodhran Celtic drum, Cape Breton Fiddling, Cape Breton Piano Accompaniment and the Celtic Harp.

Member of Parliament Mark Eyking made the announcement last week that the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Business Development Program will “invest” 375,000 C$ in the KitchenFest Festival.  Sponsored by Colaisde na Gàidhlig and launched in 2014, the multiple venue KitchenFest is held over the summer and has rapidly gained an international reputation as a showcase for Gaelic music and culture rivalling the more established Celtic Colours Festival held in October.

An additional grant of $296,000 has been made to Colaisde na Gàidhlig infrastructure improvements. A government spokesman cited the positive impact the funding will have on job opportunities and economic growth in this stronghold of Gaelic culture.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1461849-feds-invest-in-cape-breton-gaelic-college

https://www.transceltic.com/blog/scots-gaelic-heartlands-strengthen-jump-funding-g-idhlig-cultural-centre

https://www.transceltic.com/blog/nova-scotias-finest-display-celtic-cana...

Kitchen Fest  - Cape Breton Island Ceilidh

• When: June 14 through September 20, 2017
• Where: Multiple Venues - Sponsored by The Gaelic College of Cape Breton
• Website: www.gaeliccollege.edu/kitchenfest

Below is an aerial view of Colaisde na Gàidhlig in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton: