Hours
Open Seasonally:
June 1 to October 17
Daily 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
In the off-season (mid-October to the end of May), our Village Store (gift shop) is open by appointment Monday to Friday. Please contact us for more details.
Admissions
Adults - $19.00
Seniors (65+) - $13.00
Students (6-17) - $8.00
Children (5 & under) - Free
Family* $45.00
*Family are 2 adults and their school aged children.
Canada Strong Pass
June 19 to September 7
We are pleased to participate in the Canada Strong Pass this summer. From June 19 to September 7, the following special admission rates apply.
- Free admission for those 17 and under
- 50% discount on admission for those 18 to 24 years old
Nova Scotia Museum Annual Pass
Adult Pass: $46.45 - Applies to individuals 18 years and older.
Family Pass: $91.85 - Applies to 2 adults and their children 17 years and under.
Taigh nan Annasan - The Village Store
The Highland Village Gift Shop features a selection of Cape Breton, Gaelic and East Coast music, Gaelic resources, books, Highland Village souvenirs, clothing, giftware, local crafts, jewelry and much more.
We ship what we sell! For more information, contact our staff at (902) 725-2272 (1-866-442-3542) or e-mail [email protected]
Animations & Experiences
As you tour our site, you will be welcomed into our buildings by our costumed staff who will provide background on the Gaels, our culture and the material representations on site. They will also share phrases in Gaelic as well as demonstrate traditional chores, crafts and other aspects of the lifestyle of the period.
As you walk forward through history you’ll have a chance to experience fist hand what life was like for our Gaelic Ancestors. From the Blackhouse built in the style the Highland Scots used at home, through the log house representing their first home here in Cape Breton and on through the 1800’s to the early 1920’s. You will be amazed at the ingenuity, creativity and fortitude our Gaelic ancestors showed in their everyday life.
Our costumed staff will demonstrate preparing and spinning wool, weaving on traditional looms, rug hooking, blacksmithing and ironwork, quilting as well as baking and open-hearth cooking. You’ll also be able to see our traditional vegetable and flower gardens. Check with our team upon arrival for up to date information on activities on the day of your visit.
Plan Your Visit: Highland Village Site Map
To make the most of your time at Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village, we encourage you to download our official site map.
Document
Accessibility
As we seek to make improvements to our built environment to enhance access, we are aware that most historic buildings were not originally designed to accommodate people with mobility and other access needs. Providing access (interior and exterior) in ways that preserve the character of the historic property is a challenge that does require creativity and collaboration with stakeholders. By providing interpretive programming and animation activities outside buildings, along with digital and print images for physically inaccessible spaces, we hope to make your visit more enjoyable. Please contact us for more details.
Our site currently consists of:
Welcome/Cultural Centre (Reception/Gift Shop)
- Our new Centre meets current accessibility standards with barrier free parking, exterior and interior ramps, barrier free washrooms, and power front door openers
Washrooms
- There are barrier free, gender-neutral washrooms in the new Welcome Centre
- Accessible public washrooms are located off the main parking lot and on site next to the church
- The new washroom building next to the church is equipped with power door openers
Getting Around the Site
- A five-passenger accessibility cart is available at 10am and 2pm daily (based on availability) and is intended to assist visitors with mobility challenges and others who may require help navigating the site. The cart is not wheelchair accessible. Advance booking is required (please provide at least 48 hours notice) by phoning our Welcome Centre at (902) 725-2272..
- The Highland Village is proud to be an Aira Access and Access 2 Card Partner
- Highland Village is located on the side of a picturesque 40-acre hill with some significant climbs
- Our paths and roads are primarily gravel based with some grassed spots
- Parking areas are available on site to improve accessibility and reduce inclines - see reception desk for more information
- There is bench seating available throughout the site
- Dogs including assistance guide dogs and medical response dogs are welcomed throughout our site as long as they are on a leash.
A Note about the Historic Buildings:
- There are twelve historic buildings
- 4 buildings (Blackhouse, Barn, Church, General Store) have a ramp or level entry to the main floor
- 4 buildings (Log House, Forge, Shingle Mill and Carding Mill) have one step
- 4 buildings (Kaye Michael’s Place, Donald Charlie’s Place, School, Michael Donald James’ Place) have two or more steps
- Staff are on hand to share stories and historical information about the site inside or outside our historical buildings
This webpage will be updated as we make improvements.
Mobility Cart
Our five-passenger Mobility Cart is available by advance reservation (minimum 48 hours' notice), subject to availability, to assist visitors with mobility challenges in navigating the museum grounds.
Please note:
Advance booking is required (minimum 48 hours' notice).
All passengers are required to complete and sign a Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk Agreement before boarding the cart.
Prior to each ride, museum staff will conduct a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle and assess weather, trail, and site conditions. Service may be delayed, modified, or cancelled if the cart or operating conditions are determined to be unsafe.
The Mobility Cart is designed to assist with transportation around the site. It is not wheelchair accessible.
Due to the steep terrain, uneven gravel roads, and historic landscape, rides may involve significant bumps, inclines, and uneven surfaces.
The cart is equipped with bench seating and does not have seat belts, doors, or wheelchair securement systems.
For the safety of all passengers, riders must be able to:
- board and exit the cart with minimal assistance;
- remain seated upright throughout the ride unassisted;
- maintain their own seated position while the cart is in motion;
- get themselves off of the cart in the event of an emergency; and
- follow all instructions provided by museum staff.
Visitors requiring physical assistance during boarding or while visiting the site should attend with a companion or support person.
Museum staff reserve the right to refuse or discontinue transportation if, in their professional judgment, operating the cart or transporting a passenger would present an unacceptable safety risk to the passenger, other passengers, staff, or the vehicle.
Safety Notice: Use of the Mobility Cart is subject to staff assessment and weather/site conditions. By booking the cart, visitors acknowledge that the vehicle travels on steep, uneven terrain and agree to follow all staff safety instructions during transport.
Booking the Mobility Cart does not guarantee transportation. All rides are subject to vehicle availability, completion of the required liability waiver, successful pre-trip safety inspection, weather and site conditions, and a safety assessment by museum staff at the time of service.