Highland Village and Museum & Gaelic Experience

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Thigibh air chéilidh - or, as they say in English - come and visit. Your Gaelic adventure begins as you board your transportation for a scenic drive through the heart of the Bras d'Or Lakes region of Cape Breton. The Bras d'Or Lakes, one of the largest salt-water lakes in Canada, stretches out over 450 square miles and sits right in the middle of the island. A major nesting area for bald eagles; white-tailed deer, osprey, foxes, and raccoons may also be seen along the forested hilltops and highlands as you drive along.

You'll continue on to the Iona Peninsula, located in the center of Cape Breton Island to the Highland Village, a living history museum and cultural center that celebrates the Gaelic experience in Nova Scotia. Step back in time as you stroll the 43-acre hillside overlooking the Bras d'Or Lakes. The village is studded with eleven period buildings, including houses, a mill, a forge, a store, and a church - all representative of a Gaelic community from the late 1700's to the end of the 1800's.

Visit the rare farm animals, including Soay sheep, a descendant of the earliest domesticated sheep in northern Europe, and long-haired Highland cattle. Throughout the village, the costumed guides will showcase the art of weaving, quilting, and rug hooking. View authentic artifacts, discover Nova Scotia's rich Scottish Gaelic cultural history, and learn a little Gaelic from the friendly and knowledgeable staff. Cape Breton is the only place in North America where Gaelic is still spoken, a legacy of those who arrived here from the highlands of Scotland. If you're interested in your own Celtic roots, ask about researching through the museum's genealogical resources. You'll return to the ship along the same scenic route.

Special Notes:

Wildlife sightings, while common, cannot be guaranteed.

Child Price:

12 & under reduced