An elevated, wide-angle view looking down at a traditional sod-roofed stone building on a grassy hillside at Highland Village Museum. The circular stone structures are nestled within a network of low, rustic stone walls and wooden fences that section off the bright green fields. A double-track dirt path runs alongside the property, leading down the hillside toward a thick treeline of evergreens.

About

Highland Village History

The Nova Scotia Highland Village Society was founded in 1959, to create a living history museum to interpret, preserve and promote the Scottish Gaelic language, culture and heritage as found in Nova Scotia. In 2000, the Society entered into a new relationship with the Province of Nova Scotia, which resulted in the Highland Village becoming a part of the Nova Scotia Museum family. The Society continues to operate the site on behalf of the Province.

Vision

Our vision is to be the leading Gaelic folklife centre, recognized in Nova Scotia, nationally and internationally as an essential institution for continuing development and representation of a vital and sustainable Gaelic community.

Mission

Our mission is to grow as a Gaelic folklife centre that bilingually nurtures, communicates and celebrates the heritage and cultural identity of Nova Scotia’s Gaelic community.

Our Commitment to Gaelic

On June 20, 2009, the Nova Scotia Highland Village Society’s Board of Trustees formalised the sites commitment to Gaelic with the adoption of the Village’s first Gaelic Policy. It is the first such policy for any Gaelic related institution or organisation in Canada. 

Strategic Plan Summary

Over the past five years, Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village has navigated significant challenges and opportunities. The review highlights successful adaptation to changing circumstances, such as shifts in tourism trends and public health protocols.

An aerial view captures the Highland Village Museum in Iona, Nova Scotia, showcasing a collection of historic buildings scattered across a green hillside overlooking a body of water under a partly cloudy sky. A white church with a steeple stands prominently among the other smaller, older structures.

Donations & Fundraising

For six decades, Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village has worked hard to share and promote within its community, and to visitors, Nova Scotia's rich Gaelic language, culture and identity.

Join us in ensuring the continuation of this vital work

Malagawatch Church at the Highland Village.

Nova Scotia Highland Village Society

The Nova Scotia Highland Village Society has grown Highland Village from a concept; to a log museum building and outdoor stage; to a living history museum and cultural centre with language and interpretive programs.

NS Highland Village Society

A close-up interior view of a costumed interpreter inside a traditional building at Highland Village Museum. The woman wears a white headscarf and a red, blue, and yellow tartan shawl pinned at her chest while using a large wooden pestle to grind ingredients in a bowl on a rustic counter. The dimly lit historic room features large wooden storage cupboards, a built-in bed box with a white curtain, pottery jars, and various period kitchen utensils.

An Rubha Gaelic Folklife Magazine

The Highland Village shares Nova Scotia’s rich Gaelic languagAn Rubhae, culture and folklife through An Rubha: our Gaelic Folklife Magazine. An Rubha is Gaelic for the point, a reference to Rubha Eachann (Hector’s Point), where the Highland Village is located.

An Rubha features songs, stories and other forms of cultural expression, articles on Gaelic history, material culture and other aspects of Gaelic folklife, and news from the Highland Village.

Explore An Rubha Gaelic Folklife Magazine

Experiencing Eskasoni Cultural Journeys. Waltes Dish and Counters on a table with a colourful cloth.

L'u Advisory Group

We are privileged to work alongside our L'nu Advisory Group, whose wisdom and guidance enrich our understanding and strengthen our connections to this land and its people.

L'Nu Advisory Group

A costumed interpreter stands smiling behind a historic wooden chair inside a vintage general store setting. She wears a long-sleeved, yellow patterned blouse and a rust-orange skirt. Behind her, floor-to-ceiling wooden shelving units are filled with a dense display of antique packaging, including colorful tin containers for tea, coffee, and coconut, rows of small glass spice bottles, canned goods, and a collection of ceramic plates, teapots, and wash basins.

Volunteering

Volunteer animators will help deliver an excellent visitor experience at Baile nan Gàidheal │Highland Village. This is an exciting role that offers volunteers the chance to actively engage in shaping their historical character and animation content before donning their costume and taking their place in one of our eleven historic buildings.

Learn more about Volunteering

Four costumed interpreters sit around a long wooden table inside a historic room, laughing while participating in a traditional milling frolic. They are gathered closely, using their hands to rhythmically pull and bunch a large piece of cream-colored woven wool cloth across the surface of the slatted table.

Work with us

Cothrom Cosnaidh | Employment Opportunity

Contact us

For general museum enquiries during museum hours, please call 902-725-2272 or email [email protected]

Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village
4119 Highway 223
Iona, Nova Scotia, B2C 1A3

Phone: 902-725-2272
Toll free: 1-866-4GAELIC (1-866-442-3542)

General Contacts

Department/ServiceEmail
General Information, Bakery & Gift Shop Requests[email protected]
Roots Cape Breton Genealogy Service[email protected]

Senior Staff Contacts

NameTitleEmail
Melissa BlundenExecutive Director[email protected]
Pauline MacLeanCollections/Genealogy Mgr.[email protected]
Shamus Y. MacDonald, PhD.Stùiriche na Gàidhlig (Manager of Gaelic Language and Culture)[email protected]
Jessica FarrellVisitor Experience Manager[email protected]
Tim MacNeilFacilities & Grounds Manager[email protected]

Office Administration Contacts

NameTitleEmail
Janet MacNeilAdministrative Assistant[email protected]
Tanya Latham-CorbettFinancial Officer & Payroll[email protected]
Laura MacNeilWelcome Centre Coordinator[email protected]
Logan MacLellanCoordinator of Animations, Programs & Social Media[email protected]
Colin WatsonLead Cleasaichean[email protected]
Anne MacNeilAnimator/Visitor Centre Clerk & Gift Shop Purchasing[email protected]