We took a walking tour at
The Highland Village Gaelic Folklife Experience.
The village covered the time span of 1770 to the 1920's
Gaidhealtachd na h-Albann(Gaelic Scotland 1770 -1830) 
Living in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, we are rich in Gaelic tradition, story, song and music. We are a hardy and enduring people, close in kinship ties. We gather fireside to discuss rising rents, the promise of land grants, and a new life across the ocean.
Can you imagine clearing your farm land of enough stones to create stonewalls and stone houses? Also one docent quipped that the Scots just didn't get that building on the highest point of land around left you at the mercy of the wind.
Coille Mhor na h-Albann Nuaidh
The Forests of Nova Scotia 1770-1850's
An Taigh-logaichean (The Log House)
Having crossed the ocean with little else but our language and culture, we are now settled on land we can call our own. We are well suited to a challenging life in the great Acadian Forest. Our hearth remains a comfortable place where we gather to tell stories, sing songs and sometimes make music, or pray at the end of a long day's work.
Taigh an t-Simileir (Center Chimney House)
Establishing fields and livestock will secure our land grant. Although living conditions have changed, our language and kinships remain the same. After weary days clearing fields from the forest, we ceilidh (visit) by the kitchen fire to enjoy Gaelic stories, songs and music.
An Sabhal (Barn)
The barn safeguards our equity earned by years of toil. Throughout the changing seasons, our barns and fields resonate with work songs,. Gaelic music and song remain inseparable from every aspect of our lives.
Building New Communities 1850 - 1880's
An Eaglais (The Church)
In these early days of new communities we are often without clergy. As churches are build, we walk or travel in sleighs, wagons and boats to attend Mass or Sunday service.
The House becomes the Center Hallway House
Many of our families have been in Nova Scotia for nearly 100 years and our land holdings are becoming secure. The open hearth is slowly being replaced with cast iron stoves, but the kitchen remains our main place to ceilidh. Our communities are growing as our children and grand-children build new homes., though some have moved on to opportunities in Upper Canada or the Boston states/.
Gaidhealtachd na hj-Albann Nuaidh
Gaelic Nova Scotia
1880-1920
Merchants have opened stores to serve our needs for staples and merchandise. Credit is commonly extended. Sometimes we settle bills by bartering butter, eggs and knitted items. Our store houses the local post office where we often exchange news and songs with neighbors.
An Taigh-sgoil (The School House)
Teachers are instructed to teach in English only. Our children are often punished for speaking Gaelic in school. We are told that their futures lie in speaking English. On special evenings, and at times of celebration, we move desks aside to dance to music or sing at the milling table.
Am Muileann-caraidh (The Carding Mill)
Wool and its preparation for spinning are very important to our rural life. With the carding mill, we no longer have to card large amounts of wool by hand. Many Gaels from nearby districts bring fleeces here to be picked and carded. For centuries, spun wool has been used on our looms to weave the clo mor (great cloth) used in making blankets and clothing.
Taigh Tus na Ficheadamh lin
(Turn of the Century House)
Five generations on, stories are still told about the first Gaels arriving in Nova Scotia. We have modern conveniences but the cows still have to be milked and the hay made. We speak Gaelic to each other and the older generations, but not much to the children. Although well established, rural communities are often unable to sustain our large families. Many have left for work, or adventure, and some are off to the Great War.
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