he v illage n extending our roots · thursday, october 13, 1955. it provides a description of the...

Am Foghar / Autumn 2000 Cridhe Gàidhealach Albainn Ùir ~ The Highland Heart of Nova Scotia Volume 7 Number 2

Naidheachd a’ Chlachain( T H E V I L L A G E N E W S ) Nova Scotia Highland Village Society

www.highlandvillage.ns.ca

ExtendingOur Roots

• Becoming a part of the Nova ScotiaMuseum Family

• Roots Cape Breton Update• Summer Scrapbook 2000• Highland Village Day• 40th Anniversary Event• Documenting Rural Architecture• The Murder of Isabella MacDonald

and more...

Nov 97 $5000

Nov 98 $6800

Mar 00 $9300

Naidheachd a’ Chlachain (The Village News)

Volume 7 Number 2 Am Foghar / Autumn 2000

Highland Village

Pioneer Church FundA Pioneer Church has been for many years a dream of the Highland Village. We are now workingtowards the fulfillment of that dream. A fund has been established to aid with the acquisition or

construction of the Church. Already, over $ 10,000 has been collected for this project.

Your support is needed to make this dream a reality.

This design by Trifos Design Consultantsof Sydney is one being considered by ourDesign Committee. We welcome yourcomments and suggestions.

Help realize

this dream!Please donate to the

Highland Village Pioneer

Church Fund

The Nova Scotia Highland Village Society is anon-profit Society registered under the SocietiesAct of the Province of Nova Scotia. The Societyis made up of a membership which elects theBoard of Trustees (from their ranks) to operatethe Society on their behalf. Members can attendmeetings, elect the Board, sit on committees,receive and approve annual reports includingaudited financial statements, receive Naidheachda’ Chlachain (bi-annual newsletter), receivenotices for events, and feel a sense of pride incontributing to Nova Scotia’s Scottish GaelicCulture.

Membership is open to anyone. Individual memberships are $15.00 per year.Family memberships are $25.00 per year. Life memberships are being developed. Watch for more information.

Take Out A MembershipJoin the Nova Scotia Highland Village Society

Support the Highland Village!Join today!

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

City/Town: ____________________________________________________________

Province/State: ________________________________________________________

Postal/Zip Code: ________________________________________________________

Country: ______________________________________________________________

Home Phone: __________________________________________________________

Work Phone: __________________________________________________________

Fax:____________________________________________________________________

E-mail: ________________________________________________________________

Want to become more involved? Serve on a committee? Volunteer for a special project? What are your areas of interest?❑ Museum Interpretation & Education Programming❑ Genealogy & Family History/Research❑ Gàidhlig/Gaelic❑ Entertainment❑ Fund-raising❑ Site Development

Sep 00 $10,200

The Nova Scotia Highland VillageSociety was incorporated onNovember 3, 1959 under theSocieties Act of Nova Scotia withthe purpose of constructing areplica pioneer village at Iona.

The Mission of the Society is: toprotect, interpret and further thecollection of buildings and artifactsat the Nova Scotia Highland Villagesite at Iona; and to preserve andpromote the Scottish Highland andIsland Culture as found in Nova Sco-tia. (1979).

In June of 2000, the Highland Vil-lage became a part of the NovaScotia Museum Family (Depart-ment of Tourism & Culture). TheSociety will continue to operatethe site on behalf of the Province.The site is a 43-acre Museum andCultural complex including theHighland Village Outdoor Pio-neer Museum, Roots Cape Bre-ton Genealogy & Family HistoryCentre, Highland Village GiftShop, and outdoor entertainmentand theatre facility.

The Society is a member of theFederation of Nova Scotian Her-itage (FNSH), Canadian MuseumsAssociation (CMA), Iona Con-nection, Còmhairle na Gàidhlig,Alba Nuadh (Nova Scotia GaelicCouncil), Council of Nova ScotiaArchives (CNSA), GenealogicalAssociation of Nova Scotia(GANS), Nova Scotia GenealogyNetwork Association, Society forthe Study of Architecture inCanada (SSAC), Association ofLiving Historical Farms and Agri-cultural Museums (ALHFAM),Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS), andTourism Cape Breton.

Am Foghar / Autumn 2000 Volume 7 Number 2

(The Village News) Naidheachd a’ Chlachain

Naidheachd a’ Chlachain© Comunn Clachan Gàidhealach na h-Albainn Nuaidh (Nova Scotia Highland Village Society), 2000.

Naidheachd a’ Chlachain (The Village News) is published in Iona, Nova Scotia twice each year by the NovaScotia Highland Village Society. Comments, suggestions and contributions are welcomed.

Mailing Address:4119 Rathad 223 4119 Highway 223Iona NS B2C 1A3 Iona NS B2C 1A3Canada Canada

Location:4119 Rathad 223 4119 Highway 223Iona IonaAlba Nuadh Nova Scotia

Guthan/Telephone: (902) 725-2272 Facs/Fax: (902) 725-2227

[email protected]

Guest Editor:Cheryl SullivanDesign:Icon Communications & Research, Inc., SydneyPrinting:City Printers Limited, SydneyISSN # 1201-4974Mailed under Canada Post Canadian Publications MailProduct Sales Agreement #854441

Inside This Issue…From the Director’s Desk 4By Rodney Chaisson

Highland Village: A Part of the Nova Scotia Museum 6The Celebration of June 17th

Summer Scrapbook 2000 10A Pictorial of this Past Season

Highland Village Day 12Our 39th Annual Festival of Music and More

40th Anniversary Celebration 14A Dinner and Dance to mark 40 Years of History

On the Road Again 15Documenting our Architectural Past

Curator’s Corner 16By Charlene Kosick

Gàidhlig 17By Jim Watson

The Murder of Isabella MacDonald 17By Jim St.Clair

From the Archives 18Gaelic Panel - Translated by Jim Watson

The Microfilm Reel 19By Pauline MacLean

On the cover: On June 17th, 2000, the Highland Village officially became a part of the Nova ScotiaMuseum. Emcee Jim St.Clair looks on as the Hon. Rodney MacDonald, Nova Scotia Minister of Tourismand Culture and J. Bruce MacNeil, President of the Nova Scotia Highland Village Society sign the procla-mations.

Tourism and CultureRoinn Turasachd 's Cultur Albann Nuaidh

Welcome to the Autumn2000 issue of Naidheachd a’

Chlachain. The title of this issue isExtending our Roots which is areference to becoming a part ofthe Nova Scotia Museum, a fam-ily of 25 museums across NovaScotia. It is also a reference to thecontinued data entry work in ourRoots Cape Breton Genealogy &Family History Centre.

The Guest Editor for this issueis Cheryl Sullivan. Cheryl isworking with us as a researchintern through the HeritageSkills Apprenticeship Programof the St. F.X. Enterprise Centrein Antigonish. Cheryl providedus with the extensive history ofthe Highland Village that waspublished in the last issue of ournewsletter.

For this issue Cheryl haspulled together all kinds of arti-cles and photos from the pastsummer here at the Villageincluding the celebration tomark the Highland Villagebecoming a part of the Nova Sco-tia Museum, Highland VillageDay, 40th Anniversary Dinner &Dance, summer programming,as well as some documenting ofbuildings around rural Cape Bre-ton Island. In addition we willhave a murder story from JimSt.Clair and reports from staffersCharlene Kosick, Jim Watsonand Pauline MacLean.

Also, Cheryl came across aspecial find from our archives. It

was a report written in Gaelic byMajor C.I.N. MacLeod.The reportwas presented here in Iona onThursday, October 13, 1955. Itprovides a description of the his-tory of the Highland Village pro-ject to that date as well as pro-viding some answers to ques-tions raised by the Iona group.This report is included in thisissue in both its Gaelic form aswell as an English translation byJim Watson.

Many ofC.I.N

MacLeod’sfiles from this timeperiod are available as part of theSociety archival records, whichare currently being sorted.Included in these files are theblueprints from Colin Sinclair,minutes from various meetingsand other documents mentionedin the report on page 18.

Our New FamilyThe highlight of this past sum-mer has been the celebration thattook place on June 17 which offi-cially saw the Highland Villagebecome a part of the Nova ScotiaMuseum.

It was a wonderful day of cel-ebration. There were speeches,stories, and song. It was a fantas-tic start to this new exciting rela-

tionship with the Province ofNova Scotia.

There is more on these festivi-ties beginning on page 6 of thenewsletter.

We have been diligent allsummer working out the detailsof this new relationship andmaking the Village a full part ofthe Nova Scotia Museum. In themonths to come we will see theincorporation of Provincial

graphics into ourstationary

and pro-

motion-al materials,

as well as the incor-poration of Highland Villageinformation and visuals in NovaScotia Museum marketing andpromotional materials.

Over the winter we are goingto be spending much time oninterpretive and educational pro-gramming especially as it per-tains to Gaelic language. Thegoal is for the Highland Villageto become the only Gaelic-English bilingual museum inNorth America.

In order to accomplish this wewill be placing more emphasison staff training and professionaldevelopment as well as research.

We have accomplished muchhere over the past few yearsespecially in terms of physical

appearance and condition of thesite. Now, with the partnershipof the Nova Scotia Museum weare in a position to move forwardwith our interpretation program-ming and educational outreach.

Watch for the next newsletterwhere we will have much moredetail on the future of the High-land Village as part of the NovaScotia Museum family.

If you want to find out moreabout the Nova Scotia Museumlog on to the museum’s websiteat http://museum.gov.ns.ca.There you will find informationon all of the NSM sites acrossNova Scotia as well as the learn-ing resources available throughthe Summer Street offices.

Bon Voyage CandaceWhile we very much enjoyed theJune 17th celebrations whichmade us a part of a larger familyof museums, we also bidfarewell to the person who hasbeen the leader of that family.Candace Stevenson has been theExecutive Director of the NovaScotia Museum for over twodecades. This summer sheretired from Government. Wethank Candace for all that shehas done in assisting the High-land Village to become a part ofthe Nova Scotia Museum andwish her all the best in her retire-ment. Tapadh leibh.

Next IssueNext issue we will have moreinformation on the new relation-ship with the Nova Scotia Muse-um, an update on the Roots CapeBreton data entry project, moreresults from Cheryl’s research,information on our participationin a national pilot project todevelop museum standards forall of Canada, and much more.



From the

DIRECTOR’SDESK

By Rodney Chaisson

BOARD OF TRUSTEES (2000-2001):

Bruce MacNeil, Iona (President) Walter MacNeil, Sydney (Vice-Pres) Dan E. MacNeil, Iona (Treasurer)Brian Hussey, Marion Bridge (Secretary) Jim St.Clair, Mull River (Past President)Donald Beaton, Little NarrowsMary Campbell, Iron Mines Fonce Farrell,WashabuckJanet Gillis, JamesvilleAnn Marie MacKay-MacNeil, Grass Cove

Michael B. MacKenzie, Christmas Island Dr. Richard MacKinnon, SydneyMary Margaret MacLean,Whycocomagh Mary K. MacLeod, Dominion Hugh Webb,AntigonishDaniel Chiasson, Legal Advisor Pro-Bono,Baddeck

Committee Chairs:Museum: Jim St.ClairGenealogy: Jim St. ClairHighland Village Day: Quentin MacDonaldSite Development:Walter MacNeilAudit: Dan E. MacNeil

VILLAGE STAFF (SUMMER 2000):AdministrationRodney Chaisson, DirectorPatricia MacNeil,Admin.Assistant

MuseumCharlene Kosick, CuratorJohn MacDonald, Blacksmith Stevie MacNeil, Farm Hand Colleen Beaton, InterpreterMarie Chehy, Interpreter Carmella Farrell, InterpreterKimberley MacIver, InterpreterBeth MacNeil, InterpreterKaye Anne MacNeil, InterpreterVicki Quimby, Interpreter Sylvia Tupper, Interpreter

Student Interpreters - Anne LouiseCampbell, Brianne Lynch, Michael Mac-Donald, Erin MacNeil, Jennifer MacNeil,Leigh Milne, Meagan Quimby, and Col-lete Thomas.

Gàidhlig (Gaelic Program)James Watson, Coordinator

Roots Cape BretonGenealogy* (As of Sept. 2000)Pauline MacLean, CoordinatorData Entry Clerks - Ian Baker, WandaMacDonald, Kenneth MacKenzie, DebiMacNeil,Tim MacPherson, Margaret AnnMatheson and Blair Munro.

Gift Shop/ReceptionGerry MacNeil, Supervisor Sadie MacDonald, Clerk

MaintenanceTim MacNeil,WorkerDavid MacKenzie, Grounds

Special ProjectsCheryl Sullivan, Heritage Skills Intern

(l-r) Jim St.Clair, Hon. RodneyMacDonald, Bruce MacNeil,and Candance Stevenson



CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

• Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3 (noon-4pm)• Free Admission

For more information on our events call us at (902) 725-2272 ore-mail us at [email protected]

2001 Dates - The Highland Village opens for the sea-son on May 19th, Highland Village Day is August4th, Codfish Suppers are July 14th and August 25thand Pioneer Day is September 8th. The last day forthe 2001 season is October 14th.

Highland Village Calendar

IN MEMORY/DEDICATION

This issue of Naidheachd a’ Chlachain is dedicated to KayeMacNeil from Iona who passed away recently. The High-land Village that exists today has developed because of thededication of its volunteers. Kaye was one of those volun-teers and a member of the Society throughout the years,and her son Dan E. continues the tradition today. Oursympathies go out to her family.

Sympathies also go out to Jim St.Clair and the Wright-Rankin Family for the passing of Margaret Wright thispast summer.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations go out to:

• Board Member Jim St.Clair for receiving his honourarydoctorate from the University College of Cape Breton.

• Gaelic Coordinator Jim Watson on his marriage toFrances MacEachen.

• Board Member Anne Marie MacKay-MacNeil and herhusband Sandy on the birth of their son.

• CBC Sydney Mainstreet host Wendy Bergfeldt andpartner Don Munro on the birth of their daughter.

BEST WISHES

Best wishes go out to Joe Rahey for a speedy recovery.

THANK YOU DONORS

The Society wishes to thank those who have made dona-tions over the past several months:

• Don Hyslop and the students at Dwight Ross School inGreenwood, Nova Scotia

• In memory of Judge Harry MacInnis from Virginia.• Jim St.Clair in memory of Kaye MacNeil.• Mabel McCutcheon in memory of her husband.• David Wimsett, Petaluma, California• Marie MacLean, Washabuck, NS• Catherine MacNeil, Sydney, NS• The Iona Gaelic Singers, Iona, NS

THANK YOU PARTNERS

The Society wishes to thank all the government depart-ments & agencies, businesses and other organizations thathave provided funding to the Society or those that havepartnered with us on projects:

• Nova Scotia Museum (Department of Tourism & Cul-ture, Hon. Rodney MacDonald, Minister). A specialthank you goes out to the Minister, his staff and every-one involved in making the Highland Village a part ofthe Nova Scotia Museum.

• Municipality of Victoria County • Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation• Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development• Human Resources Development Canada• Nova Scotia Department of Community Services• Gaeltalk Communications (Am Bràighe)• St. FX Enterprise Centre• Tree Canada Foundation & Home Depot• Marketing Partners: ECBC, Icon Communications,

Highland Heights Inn, Castle Moffett & AtlanticCruise Ship Services

PEOPLE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Amajor milestone in the evo-lution of the Nova Scotia

Highland Village Society wasreached this past year. In earlyApril, following the introductionof the Provincial budget, theHon. Rodney MacDonald, Min-ister of Tourism & Culture,announced that the HighlandVillage would become a part ofthe Nova Scotia Museum. OnJune 17th, the Minister led a cel-ebration on site to officially markthe occasion of the Village’sentry in to the Nova ScotiaMuseum of families.

This is a very significant eventin the history and developmentof the Highland Village. It is arecognition by the Governmentof the importance of Gaelic lan-guage and culture in Nova Sco-tia. It is also a recognition of theeffort and accomplishments ofthe Society over the last 40 years.However, the significance of thisnew relationship goes farbeyond recognition.

For the Nova Scotia HighlandVillage Society, it means a newpartnership which will fosterfurther growth of the HighlandVillage and development into abilingual Gaelic-English muse-um. It also means funding sup-port; more sharing of informa-tion and similar issues withother members of the Nova Sco-tia Museum family; increasedaccess to the professionalresources of the Nova ScotiaMuseum and much more. Whilethe Highland Village will be apart of the Nova Scotia Museum,the Society will continue to oper-ate the site on its behalf.

For the Gaelic language andculture it means a greater com-mitment to language and cultur-al interpretation on site as well asincreased outreach to the Gaeliccommunity.

For the Cape Breton Islandmuseum community it means agreater presence of the NovaScotia Museum on this Island. It

also means an increased repre-sentation of Cape Breton Islandin the Nova Scotia Museum fam-ily. The other NSM site on theIsland is Cossit House in Sydney.

The Society is very excitedabout the future as part of theNova Scotia Museum. Since theJune 17th celebration we havebeen working with NSM staff onthe transition as well as planningfor the future. We will havemuch more on this in the nextissue of Naidheachd a’ Chlachain.

The Celebration on June 17thprovided a wonderful entranceinto the Nova Scotia MuseumFamily. There were participantsfrom all over Nova Scotia to helpmark this significant occasion.The weather was incredible andas usual the entertainment wassecond to none.

The day included a formalceremony that began with thesinging of O Canada in Gaelic bythe students of Dwight RossSchool in Greenwood, Nova Sco-tia and the students of RankinMemorial School in Iona. It wasfollowed by speeches and thesigning of an agreement by theHon. Rodney MacDonald, Min-ister of Tourism & Culture and J.Bruce MacNeil, President of theNova Scotia Highland VillageSociety. Jim St.Clair was emceefor the ceremony. Following theofficial ceremony there was

entertainment by the Iona GaelicSingers and the Boisdale Trio.There was step dancing andsquare dancing. There was foodprepared by the HighlandHeights Inn and a special cakeprepared and donated by MaryAnn Crane of Northside EastBay. The stage was beautifullydecorated by Jimmy and DonnaMacNeil of Iona.

Bruce MacNeil, President ofthe Society lead a delegation

which included theMinister, DeputyMinister MicheleMcKenzie,members ofthe NSMBoard ofGover-nors,NSMstaffandotherguestsin atour oftheHigh-landVillageMuseum.

Theday wascapped offwith a familyceilidh backstageby Raymond Ellis,Donnie Campbell, SusanMacLean, as well as some ofRaymond’s fiddle students.

Throughout the next fewpages of Naidheachd a’ Chlachainare images of the June 17thevent. It was a very memorableday and the Society extends itsappreciation to all those whocontributed to the success of theday.

The text that follows is thespeech presented by the Hon. Rod-ney MacDonald, Minister ofTourism & Culture:

Tha mi toilichte a bhith an seoan diugh ‘nur measg gus

fàilte a chuir air a’ ChlachanGàidhealach gu Nova ScotiaMuseum. Tha eachdraidhfhada, chliùteach aig na Gaid-heil ann an Albainn Nuaidh.Cha n-eil e ach ceart gu bheil

àite mar a tha an Clachan Gàid-healach a’ cumail na h-eachdraidh sin beò tro an cànainagus le bhi ag innse an stòraidhair mar a bha iad a’ fuireach airdùthaich anns na bliahd-naichean a chaidh seachad.“Guma fada bhios ceò as bhurtaigh.”

I am pleased to be with youtoday to welcome Highland Vil-lage to the Nova Scotia Museumfamily. The Gaels have a longand renowned history in NovaScotia. It is only fitting that theHighland Village maintains thathistory through their languageand their lives in the rural past.

“May smoke long billowfrom your chimney” is an oldGaelic saying meaning, mayyou enjoy many long years. Andit is a very appropriate one toshare with you today.

Another ancient Gaelic say-ing suggests that the goddessesof inspiration in the arts and sci-ences left Athens and went toScotland. Perhaps they evenfollowed the Gaelic-speakingScots to their new home here inthe Cape Breton highlands.

Some could say it’s fancifulto think that those very Musesare still here with us in the year2000. To those who might, I’dask them to consider Nova Sco-tia Highland Village.

A Part of

THE NOVASCOTIA

MUSEUM


Hon. Rodney Mac-Donald, Minister ofTourism & Culture

The cake prepared and donated by Mary Ann Crane


Consider the Village’s preser-vation and presentation of ScotsGaelic culture, traditions, andlanguage.

For forty years, the HighlandVillage Society has contributedto the survival and develop-ment of the unique Scots-Gaelicculture.

How? Through its museum.Through its buildings. Throughits learning sessions andthrough its candle-light tours.There are the school programsand traditional suppers. Thereare the music and dance perfor-mances on Highland VillageDay. I have to add that throughits concerts, the Village hasencouraged scores of youngperformers - myself included.

These modern-day Muses ofthe Nova Scotia Highland Vil-lage have rekindled our interestin the Gaelic people and theirlives. We are again inspired bytheir arts, crafts, traditions,music, and in the storytelling.

All these things are vitalparts of today’s culture. Thingsthat are strongly linked to ourpast.

The Gaelic-speaking Scotsplayed an important role inNova Scotia’s history after theirarrival in the 1700s. They areone of the European-based cul-tures who influenced stronglyour Nova Scotian identity.

We, in turn, are the guardiansof Gaelic words and ways.

We have a responsibility toteach young people to under-stand and speak the language.We have a responsibility toinspire an appreciation of Gaelicculture.

This Gaelic culture is a partof what makes Nova Scotia dif-ferent from any other place inthe world. It is a place wherevisitors to the province are cap-tivated by the history of theScots Gaels and their old-worldcustoms. It is a place where theycan experience the romance ofthe music and be fascinated bythe remarkable language.

Of course, this tourist interestin Highland ways has a positiveimpact on our economy. In thepast year alone, the number ofvisitors to Nova Scotia High-land Village has increased by 30percent.

Our department sees clearlythe potential and promise ofNova Scotia Highland Village.

We’recommit-ted toworkingwith theVillage topreservethe lan-guage, topreservethe cul-ture, topreservethe tradi-tions ofthe ScotsGaels.We’re especially pleased to seeNova Scotia Highland Villagedeveloping into a bilingual sitewhere both English and Gaelicare spoken. It’s an imaginativeconcept and one I wholeheart-edly support.

Clearly, our modern-dayMuses won’t be working in iso-lation. Nova Scotia HighlandVillage will now have the bene-fit of the expertise, the experi-ence, and the perspective of col-leagues from all parts of theNova Scotia Museum.

The Nova Scotia Museum isa decentralized institution with25 sites spread from Sydney to

Yarmouth. It is a museum sys-tem that allows a creativeresponse to the heritage needsand interests of specific regionsand cultural groups, includingthe Scots-Gaels of Nova Scotia.

In 1998, the Nova ScotiaMuseum appointed Gaelic lin-guist, James Watson as aresearch associate. In that year,wide-ranging consultation tookplace between the museum andthe people and the heritage

community of Cape Breton. And, in that year, the Board

of Governors recommendedthat Nova Scotia Highland Vil-lage become part of the NovaScotia Museum family. Our gov-ernment is pleased to acceptthat recommendation.

Our work with Scots Gaels inNova Scotia isn’t stopping here.Right now staff in our depart-ment are working with Gaelicorganizations and individualsacross the province. They willassess the economic impact ofGaelic tradition, language, andculture. And they will suggest

strategies for the future. Welook forward to their findingsearly next year.

We are today buildingon the vision of the members ofthe Grand Narrows & DistrictBoard of Trade some 40 yearsago. They saw the need then totake steps to preserve the Scots-Gaelic culture in Cape Breton.

With forward-thinkingvision, they established theHighland Village Society.

The Village continues to be aleader of heritage organizations.A leader in developing libraryand archive resources. A leaderin gathering family historyinformation. And a leader ininnovative use of contemporarytechnology.

Throughout the years, thestaff and the board of this soci-ety have travelled thousands ofmiles to serve on provincial andregional boards. They’ve offeredworkshops on museology, ongenealogy, on the Gaelic lan-guage, and on storytelling.Their leadership is to be com-mended and encouraged.

I would like to commend thepresent-day staff and boards ofNova Scotia Highland Villageand the Nova Scotia Museum. Icommend you for your perse-verance, diligence and coopera-tion. Together, your hard workhas forged this new union.

And together may you bemost successful in researching,in preserving and in presentingthis rich history and culture. ForNova Scotians and all our visi-tors.

As I wrap up my remarkstoday, I’m reminded of an oldstory in my home area ofMabou. A story concerning theancestors of the Rankin Family.A story that says regardless ofthe sadness or grief or disastersthat come to us, there willalways be music and dance andlaughter.

And so it is here in Iona. Here in the beauty of Iona, I

believe the Muses are here tostay and are quite content. Con-gratulations, Highland Village.Welcome to the Nova ScotiaMuseum family.



The Welcome Banner

Official luncheon. Clockwise from bottom: Rev. A. A. Ross, JimSt.Clair, Michelle McKenzie (Deputy Minister), Bruce MacNeil, Rod-ney Chaisson, Candace Stevenson (NSM Executive Director), MaryMargaret MacLean, and the Hon. Rodney MacDonald.



Clockwise from top left: • Minister MacDonald, Deputy

Minister Michelle McKenzie, herchildren and emcee Jim St.Claircatch a ride to the ceremony.

• Our Gaelic singers for O Canada(in Gaelic) from Dwight RossSchool in Greenwood, NS andRankin Memorial School in Iona

• The Boisdale Trio (L-R) JanetCameron, Joe Peter MacLean andPaul Wukitsch

• Iona Gaelic Singers (L-R) MaxieMacNeil, Rod C. MacNeil, HectorMacNeil, Frances MacEachen andNeil John Gillis.

• The official square set (L-R) NSMExecut ive Director CandaceStevenson, Hon. Rodney MacDon-ald, Michelle McKenzie and CapeBreton dancing guru Burton Mac-Intyre.



Top Left: (L-R) Volunteer Honey MacNeil, former Highland Village President Ellen MacNeil and former staff member Anna MacNeil.Top Right: (L-R) Joe Peter MacLean of Boisdale and the Hon. Rodney MacDonald play some tunes.Bottom Right: (L-R) Board member Brian Hussey and Highland Village Genealogist Pauline MacLean take part in a square set at the Evening

Ceilidh.Bottom Left: (L-R) Highland Village President Bruce MacNeil, Hon. Rodney MacDonald and Jim St.Clair lead the delegation touring the Muse-

um near the MacDonald House.



Our new digital camera gotgood use this summer,

capturing some of the activitiesand special events that tookplace at the Highland Village.Here is a selection of imagesfrom the summer of 2000.

Donnie Campbell CD Launch Party, July 2 Dancing for our visitors from Alderwood.

A Tall Ships 2000 Participant passing by the Village.Jim Watson providing some song in

the MacDonald House.

Top Left: Marie Chehy with GarySowerby of the Funky MuseumRoadshow.

Bottom Left: The Living Historyprogram provided children withinteresting learning experiences,including going out into the fieldswith Vicki Quimby to find plants fordyeing wool.

Top Right: The Traditional CodfishSuppers would not be possible with-out a dedicated crew in the canteenand backstage.

Bottom Right: Hugh Webb’santique trains were an interestingfeature of Pioneer Day on September9th.

SUMMERSCRAPBOOK

2000



Anne Louise Campbell, one of our summer student interpreters.

There were many opportunities for fun during the Living HistoryProgram for Children.

Many satisified (and full) customers at the Codfish Suppers. Steve MacNeil taking a break with two of our student staff:Michael MacDonald and Leigh Milne.

Gary Sowerby and Heather Capstick of the Funky MuseumRoadshow enjoying an Iona square set.

The wagon rides were an extremely popular attraction during Pioneer Day on September 9th.

Pauline MacLean and the genealogy data entry staff werehard at work all summer.



The 39th Annual Highland Vil-lage Day was held on August

5, 2000, complete with perfectweather and a wealth of musicaltalent.

This year’s concert wasopened by Jim St.Clair and theMCs were the perennial favoriteHector MacKenzie and CBC’sIan MacNeil. Approximately1900 people attended the after-noon concert and a crowd of 231enjoyed the music of Celtic Tidefrom PEI during the eveningdance at the Iona Legion.

This year, the Award of Meritwas given to Mae Cameron, inhonour of her contributions tomusical life on Cape BretonIsland, both in Gaelic andEnglish. Mae is well-known forher dedication for well over 70years as a teacher, choir directorand Gaelic soloist. Congratula-tions go out to her, as well as tothe hard-working members ofthe Entertainment Committeeunder the guidance of QuentinMacDonald who put togetherthis sucessful event. For those ofyou who missed the concert,here are some photos of the day,taken by Cynthia MacNeil ofWashabuck.

Vancouver Gaelic Choir

From Left to Right:Rodney Chaisson, Award of Merit recipient Mae Cameron, Beth MacNeil, and Bruce MacNeil.

Top Left: Ray Ellis, fiddle; SusanMacLean, piano

Top Right: Paul Wukitsch, fiddle;Joe Peter MacLean, fiddle; GordonMacLean, piano

Bottom Left: Joe Rankin, step-dance; Kyle MacNeil, fiddle;Sheumas MacNeil, piano

Bottom Right: Celtic Tide

HIGHLAND VILLAGE DAY

August 5, 2000

Jimmy and Roseanne MacKenzie



Aggie MacLennan’s feet in motion

Tracey Dares MacNeil, piano; Paul MacNeil, bagpipes; Allie Bennett, guitar.

Fiona MacGillivray and Ciaran MacGillivray, singers. All tired out!

Anita MacDonald, stepdance; Donnie Campbell, guitar;Ray Ellis, fiddle; Susan MacLean, piano.

The face painter was popular with the younger crowd.

The Iona Gaelic Singers



On the evening of June 10, 2000, theNova Scotia Highland Village Soci-

ety formally celebrated their 40thanniversary with a dinner and dance atthe Iona Legion. The Society took thisopportunity to honour several membersfor their special contributions. The Vol-unteer of the Year Award was given tolong-time member Joan Gillis, and a spe-cial “thank you” presentation was madeto Vince MacLean for his 20 yearinvolvement as producer of the HighlandVillage Day concerts. Two LifetimeAchievement Awards were also given toFather A.A. Ross, the sole survivingmember of the group who signed theofficial incorporation charter of theSociety in 1959, and to Rod C. MacNeilfor his continuing involvement since thevery early days of the Society. FatherRoss, who was unable to be present dur-ing this event, was formally presentedwith his award on June 17. Festivitiesalso included a slide show celebratingthe history of the Society. The eveningended with dancing and music providedby Kintyre. Many thanks to all who hada part in making this event a sucess.

40TH ANNIVERSARYCELEBRATION

June 10, 2000

Rodney Chaisson, Dan E. MacNeil, and Bruce MacNeil with award winnersRod C. MacNeil, Joan Gillis, and Vince MacLean.

Enjoying the music!

Rodney Chaisson and Rod C. MacNeil cutting theanniversary cake.

Enjoying the meal!


During the summer, a num-ber of historically and archi-

tecturally significant buildingswere visited by members of theSociety and staff. The purposeof these trips was to gather infor-mation about buildings andarchitectural features found inCape Breton, and to documentthem using our new digital cam-era for further reference andresearch. Sites included: GaultSmith’s barn in Hillsborough,built in July, 1927; the MacIver(Murphy) house in Washabuck,built c. 1828; and a turn-of-the-century home in Roseburn thatwas slated for demolition. Avisit was also made to the foun-dation and remains of the “twin”of the MacDonald House.

Exterior view of Gault Smith barn, Hillsborough

Left: Close-up view of the interior structure of the Gault Smith barn.Right: Gault Smith in conversation with Rod C. MacNeil and Jim St.Clair.

Left: The exterior of the MacIver House, Washabuck. Right: Closeup of the centre chimney structure in the MacIver House.

ON THE ROADAGAIN

Documenting our architectural heritage



Isit here once again towards theend of a busy season and won-

der where the time went. Whenthe gates first open in the spring,you think the summer will neverend. There is so much to do andso much to accomplish in such ashort time. The time does pass,however, and with it a sense ofloss as I reflect on the very manybusy days, the not so pleasantdays and best of all, the dayswhich were so good you did notwant them to end.

School ToursMany of the best memoriesrevolve around the days whenthere are children on site: lotsand lots of children! That is theonly way to describe the monthof June when there are as manyas 150 per day. All eager, all curi-ous and all anxious to “hit thehill” after a lengthy bus ride. Inorientating children tothe site, we try to struc-ture the talk in such away as to have themrelate the past to some-thing they are familiarwith in the present. Thiscomparison exercisehelps them put the pastinto perspective andmake them more com-fortable with the wholeexperience. After all, theyare here primarily tolearn and that they canhave a good time doingso enhances the learningexperience.

I tend to think we under-estimate children in theirability to grasp the past. This hasnever been so apparent to me aswhen I was visiting with a groupof children after their tour.When I posed the question,“What did you learn duringyour visit?” one young man ingrade four told me that hebelieved people in the “olden”days were much nicer thantoday. When I asked why, hereplied, “I learned that every-body had to work together and

when they did, they sang songsand had lots of fun so it didn’tseem like work, nobody doesthat anymore!” I think thatyoung man learned more in onemorning than most of us in a life-time. Experiences such as theseremind me why we, as museumprofessionals, do what we do.

Living History Program for ChildrenOur living history program isalso a great learning experiencefor children. They range in agefrom eight to fourteen and spendthe day on site performing peri-od tasks as well as making theirown lunch. We have yet to havea dissatisfied customer which Ibelieve reflects very positivelyon the level of commitment ofour interpretive staff. Many ofthe children are repeat visitorsand I think that is the highestcompliment.

I was once asked how I han-dled the older children who,when they first arrive, did notappear to want to be here. Myresponse is that you very seldomhave to handle them. Once theydress in costume and participatein the activities, the attitude dis-appears and they forget to act

“cool” in their enjoyment andinterest in the program. That iswhat living history is all about!

Pioneer DayPioneer Day, held on the 9th ofSeptember, was a great success.People of all ages spent the dayon site enjoying the activitiesprovided. We had horse andwagon rides, a cooper, potter, anantique train display and musi-cal entertainment on the stage.

These added activ-ities along withour regular events,made the day spe-cial for all whoattended.

Once again, werelied on thosededicated peoplefrom the commu-nity who kindlyshared with ourvisiting public,their special tal-ents. Without them,the publicwould have missedthe experience of a milling frolic,music in the parlour of MacIv-er/Nash House, how land wascleared and how soap was made,as well as a taste of oat cakescooked on a griddle, apple ciderfrom a press and homemade icecream the way it used to taste!

Having these special activitiesonly enhanced the talents of ourinterpretive staff as they per-formed many of the tasks theydo on site on a regular basis. Pioneer Day is always a specialday on site and I would like totake this opportunity to thankvery sincerely all those who con-tributed their time and effort to

make it so.

MuseumEvery year, westrive to continuewith the overallenhancement of thecollection as well asintroduce new ideasfor the enjoymentand learning experi-ence of our visitingpublic. This yearwas no exception.The General Storehas seen somechanges with therevamping of thePost Office and Tai-

loring Display. Wewere able to improve the inter-pretation by adding more arti-facts to the area as well as rear-ranging what was already pre-sent to make it more appealing.The Fordson Tractor is currentlyundergoing a complete restora-tion. Consultationwith Walter MacNeil, who hasshown great interest in the pro-ject, and the Henry Ford Muse-um has enabled us to move for-ward with improvements to the

vehicle. Through these sources,we were also able to come to adecision in regard to historic col-ors for the tractor. We all lookforward to seeing the finishedproject this fall. The hay rake,donated by Jeannette Grant, hasalso been refurbished andrepainted and is a welcome addi-tion to the vehicles on display inthe Farm area.

New AccessionsWe would like to take this oppor-tunity to thank the following fortheir generous contributions tothe collection:

Jeannette Grant-hay rake

Mary MacLeod- hand cranksheep shears

Anne MacLeod in memory ofher husband Murray JamesMacLeod-cranberry picker, spin-ning wheel, two maps of theclans of Scotland

Lloyd Lewis-window screens forMacIver/Nash House

Everett Moore-Ladies white cot-ton nightgown circa 1900

Seamus (Jimmy) MacNeil - sev-eral books from the late eighteenhundreds and early nineteen-hundreds, 2 photograph albumswith pictures, a stereoscope anda large crock

Wayne Forrester-many artifactsranging from antique bottles tooil lamps and cash register

This brings to a close my contri-bution to Naidheadchd a’Chlachain. I look forward to shar-ing more news with you in thenext issue.

CURATOR’SCORNERby Charlene Kosick


Hay rake donated by Janette Grant from Little Narrows.

Preparing for the Restoration of the Fordson Tractor.


Tha mi air a bhi an sàs gutrang am Programme

Gàidhlig a’ Chlachain am bli-adhna eadar teagasg cloinneadh,falbh anull dha ‘n Albainn asleth a’ Chlachain agus a’ cur airdòigh comataidh do chomh-lairicheana bhios cuideachadhleis a phrogramm a leasadh ‘san tìm ri teachd. Seo agaibh,matà, cunntas air mar chaidh mochuid làithean an t-samhraidh achosg aig a‘ Chlachan.

Aig toiseach an Lùnasdail, bhaa’ cho-labhairt Rannsachadh naGàidhlig 2000 ‘ga cumail thall ‘san t-Seann Dùthaich aigOilthaigh Obar Dheadhainn. B’ann amach air cuspair naGàidhlig a bha an cruinneachadhseo do luchd-eachdraidh,cànanaichean, agusrannsachaichean ciùil agus beu-laithris. Tha mi ‘gam àireamhfhéin a bhi gu math fortanachcuireadh fhaighinn bho Roinn naCeiltis Obar Dheadhainn gusòraid a chuir air adhart ann agusmar a thugadh dhomh biadh ‘sfasgadh fhads a bha mi ann:daoine gasda aoidheil! Aig anaon àm, tha mi gu math fad` ancomain luchd-stiùiridh a`Chlachain airson a` chul-taic air-gid a chum iad rium air na cos-gaisean siubhail a bha an lùib anturas seo. B`e cuspair m’ òraid-saseanachas air eachdraidh luchd-àiteachaidh Gàidhealach anEilean Cheap Breatainn anns anochdamh ceud deug.

Mar a tha fhios aig ballrachdComunn a` Chlachain, tha status

main, Gleann Dàil; Eòs Mac`Ill-eain, Baghasdail agus CaileanWatson, Baile na Ban-rìghinn.Tha sinn an dóchas gun cum iaduile romhpa air gléidheadhcànain ‘s cultuir nan Gàidheal anEilean Cheap Breatuinn.Fàgaidh mo bheannachd agaibha` seo le seann abairt a chualasbho chionn ghoirid, “A h-uile làsona dhuibh gun aon là donadhuibh.”

Between working with stu-dents, travelling to Scotland

and setting up a new GaelicAdvisory Committee, it has beena busy season for the Village’sGaelic Programme. Here is abrief sum up of the activities ini-tiated over the summer months.

At the beginning of August, Itravelled to Scotland to read apaper at the University ofAberdeen during the three dayconference Gaelic Studies 2000.This first of-its-kind conferencedealt specifically with Gaelicstudies and attracted linguists,historians, folklorists and ethnol-ogists concerned with the Gaeliccontext of their disciplines. Myown presentation was given inGaelic and focused on oralaccounts of early pioneer storiesrecorded from Gaelic speakingdescendants across Cape BretonIsland. I am grateful to the Uni-versity of Aberdeen CelticDepartment for the invitation toattend and the food and accom-modations provided during mystay. Mìle taing also to the High-land Village Board for grantingthe travel expenses whichallowed me to make the trip.This was the only paper present-ed from Cape Breton.

As membership knows, High-land Village now enjoys branchstatus as a part of Nova Scotia

Museum. It is tacitly understoodthat this means improving Gael-ic programming on site andreaching out to the greater Gael-ic community. As a result, we areplanning new projects tostrengthen Gaelic training at theVillage and in other areas ofCape Breton. As a first step, astrategy discussion paper waswritten and discussed by thenewly appointed Gaelic Com-mittee. We are carrying on as agroup at present and expect tobegin providing Gaelic trainingon-site and at the communitylevel before spring.

And finally, the Eilean nan Ògprogram hired three youthapprentices this summer whospent two weeks at the Villagelearning Gaelic, meeting withtradition bearers and engagingin interpretive activities on site.This year’s apprentices wereJenny Bond, Shenacadie; Mea-gan Rankin, Mabou Harbourand Emily MacKinnon, AinslieGlen. We are indebted to the tra-dition bearers: Jimmy MacNeil,St. Columba; Maxie MacNeil,Highland Hill, Mary Jane Lam-ond, Glendale; Joe PeterMacLean, Boisdale and JamieMacNeil, Boisdale for their par-ticipation. The program is mostgrateful to Gaeltalk Communica-tions, Queensville, Nova Scotia;John Telfer, Ontario; MabelMcCutcheon, Hamilton, Ontarioand Glen Wrightson, The NorthAmerican Gaelic Society for theirfinancial support and encour-agement in bringing this culturalprogram to young Cape Breton-ers. And of course Eilean nan Ògowes a debt of thanks to NovaScotia Highland Village for itsgenerous provision of on-siteresources.

Sin agaibh e!


ùr ‘ga thoirt air a` Chlachan marmheur de Thaigh-tasgaidh na h-Albann Ùir. Bha pairt dhe ‘nréiteach seo stéidhichte airchùmhnant gun dèan AnClachan barrachd gus cùis naGàidhlig a leasachadh ‘nabhroinn agus ann an coim-hearsnachd na Gàidhlig ‘s fhar-saingeachd. Tha sùil againn,mathà, ri proiseactan ùra a chuirair adhart ‘s an ùine ri teachdgus foghlam na Gàidhlig adhaingeanachadh aig a`Chlachan measg chosnaicheanagus anns na crìochan muncuairt. Mar a` cheud cheum,chaidh roimh-innealachd airsonleasachadh na Gàidhlig ariochdachadh airson deasbudmeasg Comataidh-stiùiridh Pro-gramme na Gàidhlig a chaidh athaghadh bho chionn mìos athìde. Tha sinn an dràsda a`cumail oirnn mar chòmhlan gusclàr-gnìomhachais a chuir airdòigh agus oideachadh naGàidhlig a thoirt seachad andarna cuid do mhuinntir a`Chlachain agus do mhuinntir nacoimhearsnachd ro’ àm an ear-raich.

Chaidh cuideachd Eilean nanÒg. Bha a chumail air làrach a`Chlachain fad cola-deug. Bha ansàs ann am bliadhna triùir dochaileagan eadar ceithir bli-adhna deug agus cóig bliadhnadeug a dh` aois. Bha na ban-oileanaich seo drìpeil shuas ‘sshios a’ bhruthach agionnsachadh na Gàidhlig measgcosnaichean a’ Chlachain aguscuide ri beulaichean àraide athàinig a chéilidh oirnn. Tha sinnri mìle taing a thoirt dha daoinecòire seo a leanas a thug seachadan talun air feadh a` phrograim:Seumas MacNìll, Cùl ChaluimChille; Calum MacNill, High-land Hill; Màiri Sìne Nic Lao-

In recording the lives of earlyScottish families in Cape Bre-

ton, murder and scandal arerarely mentioned in genealogies.

But a quiet graveyard inGrantville, Richmond County isthe final resting place of IsabellaMacRae Campbell MacDonald,whose murder in 1840 wasrecorded in newspapers andcourt records of the day.

Born in Glenshiel, she was thedaughter of the Rev. JohnMacRae and Madeline (MacRae)MacRae. In 1806, she marriedJohn Campbell who had retiredin 1804 as a Captain with theBreadaline Fencibles. They tookthe tack of Duntulm on the Mac-Donald Estates on Skye. Capt.

John Campbell died, probably inBarbados where he had gone toinvestigate the opportunities in anew economic venture. Therewere eight children, theyoungest of whom was bornshortly after his father’s death.Isabella soon after Campbelldied married Donald MacDon-ald against the advice of her fam-ily it would seem. With two ofher Campbell children and a sonby MacDonald, Isabella (and hersecond husband) came to CapeBreton in 1830 with a group ofSkye settlers. While most of this

group came to live in Skye Glenand Margaree, the Campbell-MacDonald family took up atract of land in Kempt Road,River Inhabitants.

In 1840, while intoxicated,Donald MacDonald apparentlycaused the death of Isabellawhile they were returning fromArichat in a small vessel. She hadcriticized him for drinking toomuch and he struck her with anoar. Her gravestone in GrantvilleCemetery makes no mention of

GÀIDHLIGby Jim Watson

The Murder of

ISABELLA MACDONALD

by Jim St.Clair

continued on page 19



GAELIC PANEL: HIGHLAND VILLAGEAt Iona, Thursday, 13th October,1955

Tha seachd bliadhna diag onchuala mise iomradh an toiseach

air a’ Chlachan Ghàidhealach. Aigan àm sin bha e air a thogail anGlaschu an Albainn mar aitreabh de‘n Fhéill Mhór Impireachd Bhreatu-inn a bha air chois anns a’ bhliadhnasin. Fhads a bha an Fhéill am follais,bha móran luchd-turuis a’ tadhal aira’ Chlachan, is chòrd e ris gach duinea chunnaic e. N uair a thàinig anFhéill gu crìch, leag iad a h-uile leaca bh’anns a’ Chlachan is cha chualasguth mu dhéidhinn tuilleadh.

Air an t-seachdamh là de ‘nLùnasdal ‘s a’ bhliadhna naoi ciaddiag, dà fhichead ‘s a trì diag chaidhmi- fhéin is Uilleam Mac an FhilidhMhóir a chéilidh air Prìomhaire na h-Albann Nuaidhe, an Halifax, an sàrGhàidheal Aonghus Mac Dhòmh-naill nach maireann. Thug amPrìomhaire tarruing air a’ ChlachanGhàidhealach is ás a’ chonaltradh abh’againn thuirt e ri Uilleam Mac anFhilidh Mhóir á Amherst, a sgrìob-hadh gu Cailean Mac na Ceardadh,an Glaschu, fear-deilbhe a’Chlachain Ghàidhealaich, adh’fhoighneachd air son dealbhan a’Chlachain, is am modh-togalach abh’air.

Fhuair Uilleam na dealbhan air ansnaidheadh gu grinn air a’ phàipearghorm is chaidh na dealbhan sin ashealltuinn do bhuill Comunn nanComunnan Albannach an GlaschuÙr, air an treas là de’n t-Samhuinn ‘sa’ bhliadhna naoi ciad diag, dà fhic-head ‘s a ceithir diag. Thuirt buill a’Chomuinn an là sin gum bu chòirdhomh fhéin is do Uilleam barrachdrannsachaidh a dhèanamh mu ‘nchùis. Rinn sinn sin air an aona làdiag de ‘n Fhaoilteach aig toiseachna bliadhna so nuair a thug sinn leth-bhreac de dhealbhan a’ Chlachain doPhrìomhaire Hicks, An CòirnealairMacCoinnich, is am Fear-ònoireachDauphinee, Ministear na Malairt is a’Ghìomhachais.

N uair a dh’fhosgail Tigh na Pàr-lamaide, an Halifax, chaidh iomairta’ Chlachain Ghàidhealaich a chur fochomhair an Luchd-Riaghlaidh leis

an Dotair Mac ille-Mhaoil, Baddeck;an Dotair Langille á SiorramachdChumberland, is Stiùbhart Mac naCoise Pròiseil á Pictou. Rinn Stiùb-hart òraid a bha comasach air cus-pair a’ Chlachain Ghàidhealaich anTigh na Pàrlamaide, air Là Féill Phá-druig.

Ged nach robh Comunn nanComunnan Albannach ag ràdh smidfad na h-ùine so, cha robh iad uile‘nan tàmh. Chaidh am BreitheamhAlasdair Mac Fhionghuin á Antigo-nish gu gnìomh is chuir e ri chéile guh-eagnuidh gearr-chunntas airiomairt na Gàidhlige is a’ ChlachainGhàidhealaich an Albainn Nuaidh.Chaidh an gearr-chunntas so a churfo chomhair Prìomhaire na Mór-Roinn is Ministearan na Pàrlamaidean Halifax, air an treas là de ‘nMhàigh ‘s a’ bhliadhna so fhéin.

Fad mìosan an t-Samhraidh so,chaidh litrichean - air an sgrìobhadhan deagh Ghàidhlig - a sheòladhchugam-sa o na daoine a leanas a thaa’ tàmh an Ì, no an Seanntraigh, mara their cuid: Niall MacNéill, Frann-saidh MacNéill, Calum MacNéill,Stephan Ruairidh MacNéill, UilleamMacCormaig is Eachaunn MacNéill.Fhuair mi cuideachd litrichean onLegion Chainéideanach an Ì is obhuill Comunn na Dachaidh is naSgoile anns a’ chèarnaidh sin. Bhagach litir dhiubh sin a’ roghnachadhgu dùrachdach gum biodh anClachan Gàidhealach air a thogail anÌ, no an àiteigin faisg air Ì.

Air a’ chóigeamh là diag de ‘n t-Sultuin chuireadh litir do gachComunn Albannach an AlbainnNuadh ag iarraidh orra àite freagar-rach a thaghadh air son a’ ChlachainGhàidhealaich. Fhuair mi cuid de nafreagairtean sin air ais. Théid nafreagairtean sin fo chomhairComhairle a’ Chlachain Ghàid-healaich, Comhairle a chaidh athaghadh o chionn seachduine nodhà. So agaibh Buill na Comhair-leach sin: An t-Ùrr. Dòmhnall A.MacFhionghuin á Pictou; UilleamMac an Fhilidh Mhòir á Amherst;Steabhan MacFhionghuin á Antigo-nish, Iain Ruairidh Mac Dhòmhnaillá Sidni, is mi-fhéin mar fhear-cathrach,(gun chomas taghaidh).

Sin agaibh, matà, a chàirdean, cun-ntas air eachdraidh a’ ChlachainGhàidhealaich an Albainn Nuaidhcho fad ‘s is fiosrach mise.

ANSWERS:

(1) Chòrd an gèarr-chunntas ri Min-istearan na Pàrlamaide gu ro-mhath.Thug fear ma seach dhiùbh abheachd seachad air a’ Chlachan

Ghàidhealach ach dh’aontaich gachmac-màthar dhiúbh nach gabhadhan Luch-Riaghlaidh cuid nognothach ri àite a thaghadh air son a’Chlachain Ghàidhealaich is cha tugiad barrantas sam bith seachad gumfaigheadh sinn cuideachadh-airgidon Luchd-Riaghlaidh.

(2) Thuirt an gèarr-chunntas gumbiodh e iomchuidh an Clachan Gàid-healach a bhi air a shuidheachadh anàite far a bheil a’ Ghàidhlig fhathastam bilean an t-sluaigh, àite far abheil Gàidheil a’ tuineachadh is far abheil iad comasach air ceòl Gàid-healach is Dannsaichean Gàid-healach a dhèanamh. Thuirt angèarr-chunntas cuideachd gum buchòr do n fhearann mun cuairt a’Chlachain Ghàidhealaich a bhi ‘nachruth ‘s ‘na chumadh mar mhac-shamhail do’n tìr ás an tàinig naGàidheil o thùs.

It’s seventeen years since I firstheard mention of Highland Vil-

lage. At the time it was built as areplica in Glasgow, Scotland at theBritish Empire Exhibition that wason at the time. While the exhibitionwas open, many tourists visited theVillage and all liked it. At the end ofthe exhibition, every stone of the Vil-lage was torn down and nothing wasever heard of it again.

On the seventh of August 1953William Fillmore and I visited thelate, outstanding Gael Angus L.MacDonald in Halifax. The premierraised the subject of Highland Vil-lage and during our chat he toldWilliam Fillmore of Amherst to con-tact the Highland Village photogra-pher, Colin Sinclair, in Glasgow andto inquire about photos for the Vil-lage and the method used to build it.

William received the pictures neat-ly etched on blue paper and theywere shown to members of the NovaScotia Association of Scottish Soci-eties in New Glasgow on the third ofOctober, 1954. The membersresponded saying that William and Ishould make further inquiry on thematter. We did this at the first of thisyear, on January eleventh, when wegave copies of the Highland Villagephotographs to Premier Hicks,Colonel MacKenzie and the Hon-ourable Member Dauphne, Ministerof Trade and Industry.

When the House convened in Hal-ifax, the Highland Village enterprisewas brought before MLAs by Dr.MacMillan, Baddeck; DoctorLangille, Cumberland; and StewartProudfoote, Pictou. On St. Patrick’sDay, Stewart gave an able speech to

Assembly on the matter of HighlandVillage.

Although there was absolutely nocomment from the Nova ScotiaAssociation of Scottish Societies dur-ing the time, they weren’t all idle.Judge Alexander MacDonald,Antigonish, got to work and puttogether a summary on the Gaelicinitiative and Highland Village. Thisaccount was presented to the Pre-mier and Cabinet in Halifax on thethird of this year.

Throughout the summer monthsletters, written in excellent Gaelic,were sent to me from the followingpeople residing in Iona, or Sanndrayas some would say: Neil MacNeil,Frances MacNeil, Malcolm MacNeil,Steven Rory MacNeil, WilliamMcCormick and Hector MacNeil. Ialso received letters from Iona writ-ten by the Canadian Legion and theHome and School Association. Eachof these letters sincerely expressedthe wish that Highland Village bebuilt in Iona or nearby.

On the fifteenth of September, aletter was sent to every Scottish soci-ety in Nova Scotia, requesting themto recommend a suitable site forHighland Village. I received someresponses in return. These responseswill be presented to the HighlandVillage Committee which was estab-lished a week or two ago. The com-mittee members are: Reverend Don-ald A. MacKinnon, Pictou; WilliamFillmore, Amherst; Stephen MacK-innon, Antigonish; John Rory Mac-Donald, Sydney; and myself aschairman with a vote. And that,friends, is an account of HighlandVillage’s history in Nova Scotia, tothe best of my knowledge.

ANSWERS:

(1) The summary was well receivedby Cabinet. They individuallycommented on Highland Vil-lage, but all agreed that govern-ment wouldn’t take part in siteselection and there was no assur-ance we would get financialassistance.

2) The summary stated that itwould be appropriate for the Vil-lage to be situated in an areawhere Gaelic remains spoken bythe people; a place that was set-tled by Gaels and where theyhave a capacity for Gaelic musicand dance. The summary alsosaid that the surrounding coun-tryside should resemble the landfrom which the Gaels first came.

FROM THEARCHIVES

translated by Jim Watson



Looking for the perfect present? Try the Highland Village Gift Shop

Visit our Gift Shop for a range of high quality gifts and local crafts. You will findthe Island’s largest collection of Celtic Music and Gaelic books. The Gift Shop islocated in our Visitor Centre.

You Can Contact the Gift Shop:e-mail: [email protected]

phone: (902) 725-2272 fax: (902) 725-2227

Genealogy in the Roots CapeBreton office has taken a new

twist this year. We have told youabout (in the last issue) theEnhancement Project and the dataentry taking place. What thedescription doesn’t tell you is thelife and movement injected intothe office and the people we areresearching.

Data entry is ongoing sevendays a week. We have had nineand currently 7 persons workingshifts in the office. It makes forclose quarters but an enjoyableatmosphere for learning aboutCape Breton. We are seeing pat-terns emerge from various recordssuch as names common to an area,

learning to read various types ofhandwriting, and, from theschool records, finding specialinterest items within the pages ofthe registers.

One such item is a page ofrecitations or entries for auto-graph books. Once upon a timethe autograph book was animportant item for the last day ofschool. I remember going fromfriend to friend getting them tosign my book. Even the “bigkids” would sign a book. Here isan example from that collection:

Remembrance is a silken cordWhich binds two hearts together.

If you do not cut that cordWe will be friends forever.

Also in the school records forthe early 1900’s was a section inthe end of the register recordingnature observations. Some of theobservations listed for 1913 inGlace Bay are:

the first snow flew in the air onSeptember 3rd and covered theground on Nov. 3rd. The mayfloweropen on April 11, violets on May 11,

Dandelion on May 19, buttercups onJune 3, Daisies on June 24. Plowingand planting started in April on the22 and 23rd.

Various emotions are also evi-dent when working with certainrecords. The first record we tack-led was the deaths for Cape Bre-ton. It had causes of death bothfamiliar and new to us, villieuse,intemperance, killed by a barnfalling on her, cancer, disease ofthe heart, gravel.

By far the hardest thing to dealwith was the recording of deathsof children. There are 2900 deathsof infants and children recordedbetween 1864 and 1877. Sometimes you could see the effects ofdiphtheria or flu on a family withdeaths of children, mother orfather recorded within days orweeks of each other. Everyonewas glad to see that section fin-ished. We moved on to births tocheer ourselves up.

So each type of record we areworking with will hold its ownsecrets. Our job will be to find

them and tell the stories of thepeople found there.

On another front I havereceived several family historiesthis year. Among them are “Mac-Intoshes of West Bay”, “Descen-dants of Christina MacLeod ofSkye”, information on Glendale,River Denys Mountain, Judiqueand areas from Allan Gillis inOntario, Bezansons, two letterssent to and from Middle River,MacLean information from Pic-tou with ties to parts of Cape Bre-ton, the “Devoe/deVaux FamilyHistory”, “Drummer on Foot”and the new book of the genealo-gy of the Mark Crowdis family ofMargaree. Also we have receiveda scrap book of information onCpt. John P. MacNeil and Maj.Gordon MacNeil, both winners ofthe Military Cross. All these addgreatly to our collection and ourunderstanding of life in Cape Bre-ton. Our thanks go to theresearchers for their many hoursof work and the willingness toshare their efforts.

THE MICRO-FILM REEL by Pauline MacLean

but states she was the daughterof Rev. John McRae of Kintail,Scotland and the widow of Capt.John Campbell of Duntulm, Isleof Skye. The newspapers of theday report the trial of DonaldMacDonald, however, and speakalso of Isabella’s connections inScotland.

One of the children by Camp-bell, Charles James, who came to

Cape Breton with his motherand stepfather and half-brothercame to be one of the wealthiestmen in Cape Breton in the 1800s.A merchant and shipbuilder, hewas the owner of the coal mineat New Campbellton (a commu-nity named for him). His face isincised in the stone building inBaddeck. He called his propertyin Baddeck “Duntulm” after thetack house in Skye where hisparents lived.

The other Campbell brotherwho came with his mother in1830, Lauchlin MacKinnon

Campbell, returned in his twen-ties to Scotland and studied forPresbyterian ministry. Eventual-ly, he came to be minister to alarge Gaelic-speaking congrega-tion in Tasmania. The church iscalled Campbell PresbyterianChurch in his honour.

Another son of Isabella, ColinNicol Campbell, came to be aprominent and wealthy rancherin New Zealand. One of Isabel-la’s daughters, also namedIsabella, came to Cape Breton onher brother Charles JamesCampbell’s vessel Breadalbanein 1848, eight years after her

mother’s death. She marriedDonaldJohn MacNeill, a merchant andfarmer of Westmount, Cape Bre-ton.

The other children of Isabellaand John Campbell remained inScotland. But the story of theirmother’s violent death certainlywas transmitted to them. A quietgraveyard in rural Cape Bretonis the location of the burial site ofa Scottish immigrant who wasthe object of considerable scan-dal and the mother of peoplewho were influential in locationsaround the world.

The Murder ofIsabella MacDonald

continued from page 17


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