The Gaels of Cape Breton

Shows Scottish settlers in the Highlands of Cape Breton, much like the Highlands of Scotland. Small flocks of sheep like the crofters of the old country wander on the hills and provide wool for spinning and weaving, while the plain-spired churches and the only Gaelic College in the world keep alive the faith brought from other highlands across the sea. Gaelic language is heard in the church, singing in community and casual exchanges between passers-by.
1946 | 12 min
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[@MegaDonzee]

My great-grandmother was born on Cape Breton Island in 1844, she spoke Gaelic, I would have loved to have met her.

[@scottmacpherson2352]

I live in Inverness cape Breton were still proud Scots.... Cape Breton is world renowned for its beauty friendly people... I know my family tree ... My people came from the Isle of igg in Western Hebrides...Scott MacPherson is my name.

[@dpcnreactions7062]

I'm from mainland Nova Scotia but I have always loved visiting Inverness! There is just something about that place that feels very inviting.

[@Mediax5]

My family of MacKenzies come from Iona and moved to Antigonish after World War 2.

[@niallmackenzie2460]

The community shown (though not the church interior) is North River Bridge, Victoria Co., where the men and women captured on camera are fondly remembered still. The tall precentor in the psalm-singing scene (who is also the man shown in close-up during the milling frolic) was the father of Buddy MacDonald, now a popular folksinger.
One correction should be noted: the NFB is mistaken in naming Laura Boulton as the director of this film. That mistake rests on confusion with a different film, Boulton's "New Scotland" (1943). No director is credited for the present film, but the credit should be shared by Judith Crawley and Margaret Perry.

[@coalminersgranddaughter]

Related to the MacKenzies that came with Rev. McLeod?

[@onlinemusiclessonsadamphil4677]

this is wonderful. I'm from north east Scotland and some of my family at one point would have spoken Morayshire Gaelic. The Gaelic at the start sounds Sutherland Gaelic to my ears but I am probably totally wrong.

[@andrewsheehan6701]

Great film. I would love to know how those communities are doing today in Cape Breton and how the Gaelic language is holding together in both Novi Scotia and in Scotland. A beautiful tongue!

[@dorinaursu2854]

it' beautiful country !!

[@dorinaursu2854]

buonanotte tra poco iniziacoprifuoco tutti a nanna compresi bambini .🧤🩲💍💍👡👡👚👚👖👖🧥👔👔👕👕🩱🩱👙👙

[@dorinaursu2854]

a la faccia della maschera di zooro 🤣viva il teatro vivano le mascarille🎭🎭🎭

[@seandonovan8915]

Here in Nova Scotia we are doing good! Our economy and poverty rate is high here and most people go to Alberta for work! Not to mention our 15% tax on everything! But it’s still a beautiful place and I would love to visit Scotland

[@celinehynes3336]

I think they all had their best clothes for the filming

[@kgm4556]

My great grandfather was a Gaelic first speaker. He learned English once he went to school.
He died in 1999. He held me as a baby, dementia set in at this point, and he could only speak Gaelic.
This is not ancient history, Google existed at this time.

[@johnpettipas3763]

EXCELLENT. TAPALET

[@kesml]

I am a MacLeod from River Denys Mountain.

[@CP-yw6vn]

Judique?

[@dorinaursu2854]

che belle colline che belle case e cavalli sembra un' immagine strappata dalle cartoline idilliche ...🏙🌅

[@dorinaursu2854]

si potrebbe fare un film di quei tempi con le persone che vissero in quei posti sarebbe meraviglioso 🎬📽🎞🎥📺

[@Nicole-sd9xh]

❤❤❤

[@andaimhineach4131]

Love this - gràdh mòr do! When was this done? 1946?

[@nozecone]

Says 1956 at the end.

[@johnpettipas3763]

EXCELLENT. / FINE 🙂 PEOPLE. ,TAPALET

[@dorinaursu2854]

in Scozia si usano le pietre memoriali per i defunti in altri paesi sj usano croci in ogni caso credo siano di marmo ...
🙏🙏👐🏗🏗🏛🏪🕌🕍🗽🕰⏲🕛🥌

[@BGREIGZ]

Why don't they come home

[@DoctorFurioso]

From Fort Mac?

[@CP-yw6vn]

​@DoctorFurioso 😂😂 that got me

[@georgehenry76]

There is always one jerk who hits dislike.

[@christianholzel560]

Who's here because of Alvvays?

[@unexpectedgodem9360]

First

[@christopherdiedrich40]

Those pipes are out of tune!

[@Pauly421]

Lol. Not sure if you're being serious or not but that's more the fault of this being recorded on tape about 70 years ago then digitised. All old tape audio sounds like that

[@luketracey3269]

The true people.