The Scottish Gaelic influence is strong in Nova Scotia. Our very name New Scotland embodies it. You can find it at the Colaisde Na Gàidhlig/Gaelic College in St. Ann’s and at the Highland Village/An Clachan Gàidhealach in Iona. Our Celtic culture greets you with Ciad Mile Failte (100,000 welcomes) at a milling frolic, concert and ceilidh.

The arrival of the Gaels had a tremendous influence on life as we know it today in Cape Breton. The men, women and children who emigrated from the Scotland Highlands to the Cape Breton Highlands more than two centuries ago brought with them ideas, ideals, language, education and a distinct way of life.

And similar assimilations happened right across North America, as new countries were taking shape. Our first prime minister, Sir. John A. MacDonald had immigrated to this new world as a boy of 5. The mother tongue for this Father of Confederation was Gaelic – as it was for many politicians of that era. Gaelic was the third most spoken language in Canada in 1880, right behind English and French.

While two of the signers of the Declaration of Independence in the US were from Scotland, it has been said that more than half of the men were first generation Scottish immigrants or heavily influenced by Scottish-born teachers and advisors.

The Celtic influence is still here across the continent today – although it may take a moment to recognize it. Here are a few notables to get you started. The MAC computer is named for an apple variety cultivated by John MacIntosh, son of Scottish immigrants to Canada. Seth MACFARLANE, comedian and recent Academy Award host, can trace his ancestry to great grandparents from the Maritimes (by way of Scotland).

Now start looking – how many ‘Mac’s (and Scottish influences) will you find?

Photo:
Delegates from the Legislatures of Canada, gathering on the steps of Prince Edward Island's Government House for the Charlottetown Conference 
- Photo by George P. Roberts on September 11, 1864. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fathers_of_Confederation)