The Highland Village Gaelic Folklife Magazine HIGHLANDVILLAGE.CA VOLUME 17 • NUMBER ONE A' Comharrachadh 60 Bliadhna Celebrating 60 Years Mar is Léir Dhomh Fhìn | As I See It Soraidh Slàn le Deagh Chàirdean Dèante le Làimh | Handmade Gaelic, Social Learning and the World Farewell to Good Friends Weaving in Gaelic Nova Scotia: Tartan or Overshot? 2019 Scholarship Winner Are you looking for your Cape Breton ancestors? Sinnsearachd Stòras na h-Òigridh | Treasures of Youth Scholarship Fund provides financial support and assistance to up-and-coming Nova Scotia youth between the ages Có ris a tha do dhàimh? of five and twenty-one, who are keen to advance Who are your relatives? their skills in the Gaelic tradition including: fiddle, Fiddler Kaj Ubdy, of Christmas pipes, piano/guitar accompaniment, language, Island was awarded a $1,000 Roots Cape Breton is a research service storytelling, song, and dance. scholarship. for those in search of their connection Kaj has proven a commitment to Cape Breton. With our knowledge The Fund welcomes donations. A downloadable to the rich Scottish Gaelic tra- of sources and local history plus our brochure with details and a pledge form is available ditions of Cape Breton. research library, we have information on our website. Donations may also be made on to cover most of the Island. Fill in line through Canada Helps. your details on our research form, click submit and we will reply with our estimate. www.treasuresofyouth.ca Visit us at: Like us on Facebook Treasures of Youth Fund www.rootscapebreton.com Or e-mail your requests to: [email protected] Commun Baile Ghàidheal na h-Albann Nuaidh | Nova Scotia Highland Village Society Board of Trustees (as of June 2019) — Gordon Campbell, Blacksmith; Aileen MacLean, Animator; Basil MacLean, Southside Whycocomagh/Stellarton; Dan Chiasson, Baddeck Animator/Farmer; Jessica MacLean, Student Animator; Paul (Vice President); John Hugh Edwards, Ross Ferry; Madeline MacLean, Carpenter; Pauline MacLean, Manager of Collections/ Harvey, Estmere; Betty Lord, Howie Centre (Treasurer); Genealogist; Stacey MacLean, Ban-chleasaiche; Logan Quentin MacDonald, Washabuck (Secretary); Jodi MacDonnell- MacLellan, Student Animator; Katherine MacLeod, Manager Scott, Coxheath; Vince MacLean, Northside East Bay; Donnie of Interpretation; Shay MacMullin, Coordinator of Cultural MacNeil, Beaver Cove; Wilf MacNeil, Johnstown; MA (Murdock) Experiences; Alyssa MacNeil, Visitor Centre Clerk/Animator; MacPherson, Creignish (President); Melissa Nicholson, Anne MacNeil, Visitor Centre Clerk/Animator; Beth MacNeil, Baddeck; Meaghan O’Handley, Grand Narrows; and Michelle Animator; Cody MacNeil, Student Animator; Jamie Anne Smith, Skye Glen. MacNeil, Student Animator; Janet MacNeil, Administrative Assistant; Kaye Anne MacNeil, Animator; Laura MacNeil, Staff (2019 Season)— Colleen Beaton, Animator; Kalen Animator; Sandy MacNeil, Farm Hand; Tim MacNeil, Manager Bonaparte, Student Animator; Amber Buchanan, Ban- of Operations; Vicki Quimby, Animator/Textile Consultant; chleasaiche; Grace Campbell, Student Animator; Pauline Lauren Readman, Animator; Colin Watson, Cleasaiche; Lili Campbell, Animator; Rodney Chaisson, Director; Zoie Watson, Student Animator; Phillip Whyte, Student Animator; Chaisson, Student Animator; Marie Chehy, Animator; Emily and Phyllis Williams, Animator. Clegg, Coordinator of Agricultural Renewal & Costumes; Patricia Gaudley, Custodian; Catherine Gillis, Animator; Contractors (2019) - Linda Crockett (Fundraising Advisor); and Brendan Higgins, Labourer; Jamie Kennedy, Blacksmith; Max MacDonald (Marketing Coordination) Hannah Krebs, Ban-chleasaiche; Cecelia Laing, Animator; Emily MacDonald, Animator; Emily MacDonald, Ban-chleasaiche; Volunteer Programmers (2019) - Quentin MacDonald, HV Day Sadie MacDonald, Visitor Services Coordinator; Ed MacDonell, Producer. Cleasaiche; David MacKenzie, Groundskeeper; Hoss MacKenzie, 2 Vol 17 No.1 an rubha Clàr-Innse | Inside This Issue ©2020. All content is copyright of the Nova Facal bhon Neach-stiùiridh | From the Director’s Desk 4 Scotia Highland Village Society, unless A' Comharrachadh 60 Bliadhna | Celebrating 60 Years otherwise noted. 6 AN RUBHA (The Point) is published in Iona, Mar is Léir Dhomh Fhìn | As I See It Nova Scotia, Canada by Commun Baile Gaelic, Social Learning and the World Ghàidheal na h-Albann Nuaidh | Nova Scotia Highland Village Society. Comments, 7 suggestions and contributions are Naidheachd a’ Bhaile | The Village News welcome. O 'n Uair Sin | Then till Now Contact: Sgeul ri Aithris | The Story Telling Tradition 8 4119 Rathad 223 | 4119 Highway 223 Gun Dòchas Oidhche | Without a Night's Wish Sanndraigh | Iona Alba Nuadh | Nova Scotia Guthan | Phone: 902-725-2272 Naomh Eòs is Deagh Bhiadh | 9 Toll Free: 1-866-4GAELIC | 1-866-442-3542 St. Joseph’s Blessing & Good Food Facs | Fax: 902-725-2227 Currac a' Rìgh | The King's Hood [email protected] www.highlandvillage.ca 10 Facebook: Highland Village Museum ‘Mac-Talla’ Twitter: @highlandv An Similear | The Chimney Instagram: highland_village YouTube: Highland Village Museum Soraidh Slàn le Deagh Chàirdean | 12 Editorial Committee: Farewell to Good Friends Amber Buchanan, Rodney Chaisson, Hannah Krebs, Pauline MacLean, Stacey Ag éirigh air Òrain | An Rubha Song Selection 14 MacLean, Katherine MacLeod, and Shay Nighean Donn Bhòidheach | Beautiful Brown-haired Maiden MacMullin. 15 Contributors: 'San Taigh-Chéilidh | In the Céilidh House Rodney Chaisson, Hannah Krebs, Emily Nighean Bhàn Ghrùlainn | The Fair-haired Maiden of Grùlainn MacDonald, Ryan MacDonald, Susan MacFarlane, Lorrie MacKinnon, Stacey Seinn fo Sgàil nan Geugan Uaine | 16 MacLean, Katherine MacLeod, Shay MacMullin, Beth MacNeil, Hannah Songs from the Greenwood MacNeil, Hector MacNeil, Janet MacNeil, An Tulach Bhòidheach | The Pretty Hillock Vicki Quimby and John Shaw. An Gàidheal Portmhor | Scotch Music 17 Layout: Òran Mhic an Tòisich | Ode to Whiskey, John of Badenyon Sam Stein Printing: Dèante le Làimh | Handmade 18 City Printers Weaving in Gaelic Nova Scotia: Tartan or Overshot? Concept: 20 Seumas Watson Ás an Tasg-lann | From the Archives Tha Mise fo Mhulad air Tulaich gun Uaill | Front Cover: I am Depressed on a Hill without Pride Hughie B. MacNeil and John Malcolm MacNeil peel logs for the first Highland 22 Village Museum building in 1962. Abbass Léirmheas | A Book Review photo from the Highland Village Collection. Play It Like You Sing It: The Shears Collection of Bagpipe Culture and Dance Music from Nova Scotia ISSN# 1914-6043 Comunn Ar Rùin | Our People 23 Mailed under Canada Post Canadian Publication Mail Product Sales Agreement. Acknowledgements & Accolades #41257540 an rubha Vol 17 No.1 3 Facal bhon Neach-stiùiridh | From the Director’s Desk A' Comharrachadh 60 Bliadhna | Celebrating 60 Years ix decades ago, this past November, impressed the committee. the efforts of volunteers, a log building Sthe Nova Scotia Highland Village By March 1956, the nsass site selec- (the first museum) and outdoor stage Society was born. An incorporation char- tion committee had narrowed the options were constructed. Artifacts were acquired ter, signed by Hugh F. MacKenzie, Earl down to a site in Pictou County or a site on for display in the new log museum. The MacInnis, William McCormack, Rev. A.D. Cape Breton Island. After lengthy discus- first annual Highland Village Day concert MacKinnon, Major C.I.N. MacLeod, Rev. sions, a tie vote, and continued debate, the was held to raise money for the construc- A.A. Ross, and Stephen MacKinnon, was following motion was passed: "...that the tion and operation of the Village. The fol- approved and stamped by the Registrar of first Highland Village be on Cape Breton lowing year Stephen Rory MacNeil was Joint Stock Companies, officially incorpo- Island, and a second Highland Village be in hired as the first curator to look after the rating the Society under the Societies Act Pictou County." It was reported that at the collection and encourage more donations. of the Province of Nova Scotia. This was meeting a cheque from millionaire Cyrus By the late 1960s, the Highland Village as a significant milestone in the history of Eaton for building the Highland Village we know it today began to take shape. Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village, as was torn in half after the announcement During the decades that followed, the it provided the structure from which the that Cape Breton was chosen over Pictou unwavering commitment and pure tenac- Highland Village would be established, County. ity of the Society's board, volunteers and developed, and grown. With the decision made that the supporters ensured that the Highland The concept of a Highland Village in Highland Village would be located in the Village dream became reality. Funding was Nova Scotia dates back to 1938. Then Nova centre of Cape Breton Island, the Grand accessed for both operations and projects. Scotia Premier Angus L. MacDonald vis- Narrows & District Board of Trade and The first operational grant was received ited the United Empire Exhibition in from Victoria County in 1971. Period Glasgow, Scotland where he saw an buildings were added to the site, some exhibit called "The Clachan," which was of which were relocated from other a replica of a "typical" Highland village communities on the Island. Artifacts that showed "the buildings and condi- were gathered from all over eastern tions of life during the 18th and early Nova Scotia. As the period museum 19th centuries" in Scotland. The Premier took