Spring is in full swing here in Cape Breton. There are lots of activities underway and many more coming soon!

'Nuair a bha mi draibheadh air an Eilean Mhór an diugh ann an dìle bhàite, smaoinich mi air na h-abairtean Ghàidhlig a th' ann airson na sìde agus rudan eile... ach is tric nach gabh iad eadar-theangachadh gu 'n Bheurla gu ro mhath!

Cape Breton traditional music is often called fiddle music because that instrument usually takes the melodic lead with the piano as the chief accompaniment. Our music has been played on these two instruments at dances and house parties for the last century. Because the music is so closely related to the Cape Breton dance tradition, there have been relatively few experiments with additional instrumentation and rhythms. This is not to say it hasn’t been done. Slainte Mhath, Beoloach and some of Ashley MacIsaac’s music come to mind.

O chionn ghreis chuir mi seachad dà latha ri teagasg òrain Ghàidhlig do chloinn aig An Roinn Cheilteach de 'n Sgoil Dhannsaidh aig Ceallaigh Nic Artair ann an Cnoc an Iar, Ceap Breatainn. 'S e dannsairean a bh' anns a' mhór-chuid dhe na sgoilearan agus bha 'ad air an togail le bhith dannsadh do sheinn seach inneal ciùil.  Rinneadh co-cheangladh glan eadar cànan 'is ceòl 'is dannsa, agus a' chlann 'gan ionnsachadh uile.

I made my first trip to Scotland in January of 1996. The purpose of the visit was to conduct research at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow. My business partner and I had hatched the idea to create what would become the Celtic Colours International Festival in Cape Breton. We wanted to see a large Celtic festival in action and Celtic Connections, although only in its third year of existence, was already a huge event spanning almost three weeks in length.

My Celtic heart is beating with pride today as Destination Canada, an organization whose goal it is to increase awareness of Canada in the Nordic Countries, recently released its list of the top 10 attraction sites in Canada. Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail was ranked fourth on the list and cited these reasons for the ranking:

Sgeul Éibhinn

Music is a huge part of Cape Breton's Celtic culture and much of our history is shared through song. The Celtic Heart of North America wants to share our music and history and is pleased to welcome Max MacDonald to the blog team.