SongRoutes – Cape Breton 2026

 

Back by popular demand, join us for 10 days of intensive singing and cultural learning in beautiful Cape Breton, Nova Scotia!  

Reaching eastward from the mainland into the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Breton Island is a hotspot of rich history, culture, and natural beauty.  During the Highland Clearances, and especially the first half of the 19th century, many thousands of immigrants who were pushed out of the Scottish highlands and islands found their way to a new home on Cape Breton Island.  Those immigrants and their descendants held close to their language, music, culture, and way of life for many generations; now, thanks to them, Cape Breton is a cultural center for all things Gaelic. 

Over the course of 10 days, Màiri Britton will guide us through an immersion in Cape Breton’s rich culture. With Màiri and other special guest teachers, we will explore many forms of Gaelic singing - waulking (milling) songs, puirt à beul (mouth music), laments, lullabies, and more!  We will have opportunities to hear local musicians at pubs and ceilidhs, as well as the chance to learn Cape Breton stepdancing and participate in community square dances, which also feature world class fiddle music and are a great time for both dancers and non-dancers alike.  We will also have ample opportunities to explore beautiful Inverness County, including hikes, learning from a Mi’kmaw knowledge keeper, a beach afternoon (it may even be warm enough to swim!), and free time to follow your heart. We will cap off the 10 days by hosting a milling frolic for the community, where we will all get to sing together.

For your convenience, we have timed this event to coincide with the internationally acclaimed Celtic Colours festival!  Celtic Colours runs from October 9th - 17th, 2026.  We imagine that some of our keener students (and staff!) will want to stay on in Cape Breton after we finish to catch some of the best Celtic musicians from all over the world as an inspiring sequel to our trip.  You can find more information about Celtic Colours at www.celtic-colours.com. (Please note that Celtic Colours tickets sell out quickly, and accommodations all over Cape Breton book way in advance.  The 2026 schedule will be released on June 22nd, and tickets go on sale July 7th.)

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At the end of an allee of Scotch Pines, tucked into 250 acres of woodlands and fields in the Margaree Valley, The Normaway Inn will be our home for the duration of the event.  Originally the site of the MacPherson homestead and farm, the Normaway is steeped in local culture.  From the wooden floorboards and rafters of The Barn (converted years ago into a beloved venue for local music and square dances), to the airy and natural light-filled dining room, to the stone fireplace in the Inn lounge, to the pastoral view from the cabins’ porch swings, The Normaway’s character harkens back to the era of those early Scottish settlers, while also providing every modern comfort and convenience.  Most of the accommodations will be double occupancy (cabins and suites), with some single availability as well for a surcharge (private rooms in the main Inn building).  The bulk of our time together will be spent learning and singing together in The Barn, and every morning, noon, and dinner time, we will gather for our meals at the Inn Dining Room.  In between, there will be plenty of opportunity to explore the Normaway grounds, hear local musicians, try your hand at square dancing, and explore the wider community.

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