Once suppressed, the Gaelic language and culture in Nova Scotia are experiencing a resurgence, driven by passionate individuals, educational initiatives and community efforts
For many, the face of Gaelic culture in Nova Scotia is ceilidhs, bagpipes, and tartan. But beneath these well-known symbols lies a deeper story of resilience, revival, and the determined efforts to preserve a once-threatened language and way of life.
A language on the brink
Gaelic was once the second-most spoken language in Nova Scotia, with up to 100,000 speakers in the late 19th century. However, the early 20th century saw aggressive assimilation policies in public schools, where Gaelic-speaking children were often punished for using their native tongue. This suppression led to a sharp decline in speakers and cultural practices.
According to Shamus Y. MacDonald, Stiùiche na Gàidhlig (Manager of Culture and Language) at Bailenan Gàidheal (the Highland Village Museum), the loss of the language deeply impacted Nova Scotia’s cultural fabric.
“Gaelic used to be spoken so much more,” he says. “The sociability of the culture is refreshing. There is something so valuable about seeing the world from a different perspective and feeling ‘rooted’ in a place.”
Education at the heart of revival
Efforts to reclaim Gaelic have gained momentum, particularly in education. The Nova Scotia Gaelic College, founded in 1938 as a memorial to Gaelic-speaking pioneers, remains the world’s only institution dedicated to teaching and preserving traditional Gaelic skills. Today, it attracts over 1,000 students worldwide, helping them learn the Nova Scotia dialect of Gaelic.
Schools have also played a critical role in revitalizing the language. Inspired by Mi’kmaq immersion programs, Taigh Sgoile na Drochaide, a Gaelic immersion elementary school in Mabou, was established. Open to all children regardless of background, the school is financed through fundraising and partnerships with the Gaelic College.
Additionally, students in Port Hood and Mabou can choose Gaelic instead of French starting in Grade 4, while high schools in Iona, Antigonish, and Halifax Citadel offer Gaelic as an elective. Currently, about 480 students are enrolled in Gaelic language programming across the province.
Rodney MacDonald, former Premier and CEO of the Gaelic College, believes the government must do more. “Ideally, Gaelic should be offered in all public schools. The government must offer it in every school as one of the founding principal languages of Nova Scotia.”
Community initiatives fuel the movement
Shamus Y. MacDonald said the explosive growth of interest in the culture of Nova Scotia’s Scottish ancestors is driven by the renewed societal need for community and a deeper understanding of where “we” came from, especially while navigating an often isolating world.
Beyond formal education, grassroots initiatives like story circles, signage, and special plates are driving Gaelic’s resurgence.
“The signage around Nova Scotia in Gaelic instills a sense of pride for people, a sense that it’s ok to be a Gael.” says Rodney MacDonald.
Nova Scotians can purchase Gaelic-themed license plates for $50, with the fund going to support the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia (GCNS) a group that advocates for and supports projects in partnership with the Provincial Office of Gaelic Affairs.
There are approximately 660 plates in circulation.
A thriving Gaelic radio station, CBFM.ca, broadcasts 24/7 in Cape Breton, playing both traditional and modern Gaelic music. In Halifax, Gaelic speakers gather at the Eastern Tea Bar every second Thursday to share stories and practice the language in an informal setting.
The economic power of the Gaelic community is also being harnessed with the help of the Fàilte gu Iomairt Ghnìomhachas na Gàidhlig (Gaelic Business Initiative). The GBI is a non-profit that helps Nova Scotian entrepreneurs incorporate elements of Gaelic life – language, cultural practices and connection with Gaels – into their business to grow their footprint among locals, attract more tourists, and widen the potential for national and international partnerships and growth.
Dartmouth resident Emily McEwan is another Nova Scotian committed to preserving Gaelic language and culture in Nova Scotia. Nine years ago the Gaelic-fluent linguistic anthropologist founded Bradan Press, a small publishing company continuing a 180-year tradition of Scottish Gaelic publishing in the province.
Inspired to create a business in the wake of the attention she received for a blog on Gaelic tattoo mishaps, she has facilitated the publication of over 30 books by more than 30 authors and illustrators, a majority from Nova Scotia. The books include translations of Anne of Green Gables and the noted children’s book The Paper Bag Princess.
McEwan understands the dark history of Gaels in Nova Scotia, yet, despite suppression, she says, Gaelic culture endures. She credits a 1990s Gaelic revival, sparked by artists like Ashley MacIsaac and Mary Jane Lamond, but argues true preservation goes beyond tartans and fiddle music. “The real treasure is the ancient community-sustaining culture,” she says.
McEwan considers all of this work part of a growing movement, proving Gaelic’s resilience. “It’s about individual actions, building something one stone at a time.”
No gaels left behind: researching the road ahead
The Highland Village Museum in Iona is working to ensure Gaelic’s future with a comprehensive study on the state of the language in Nova Scotia. Conducted in 2024, the study’s first phase involved 150 interviews and produced over 500 pages of data. The findings highlight the language’s social and personal significance, reinforcing its role in shaping individual and community identities.
“The signage around Nova Scotia in Gaelic instils a sense of pride for people, a sense that it’s OK to be a Gael,” says Rodney MacDonald.
A future rooted in the past
From kitchen parties to kilts and the Antigonish Highland Games, Nova Scotia’s Scottish culture continues to shape the province’s identity. Thanks to the dedication of educators, community leaders, and passionate Gaels, the language and traditions are not only surviving but thriving. Their collective efforts ensure that Gaelic will be cherished and celebrated for generations to come.
The Symbol of the Gaels
The Symbol of the Gaels is that of a salmon in the shape of the letter ‘G’.
The salmon represents gifts of knowledge and wisdom in the Gaelic language and cultural heritages of Nova Scotia, Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
The ‘G’ represents Gaels’ language, culture and identity and the ripples reflect the manifestation of these through song, story, music, dance, lineage, hereditary connections to place, customs and beliefs.
Want to learn more about Nova Scotia’s efforts to preserve Gaelic?
Nova Scotia Gaelic College:
gaeliccollege.edu
Gaelic Affairs NS:
www. gaelic.novascotia.ca
Nova Scotia Gaelic Council:
www.gaelic.ca
Highland Village:
www.highlandvillage.novascotia.ca
