This area is very unique. Our university is the only one in the country that accepts Gaelic as a teachable subject for an education degree. People in the highlands of Cape Breton speak a dialect that hasn't been spoken in Scotland in centuries. The step dancing here is equally historic. In fact, people from this area, including at least one of our past graduates, have taught summer school in Scotland to help re-establish these treasures into their culture. The town here has held an ancient heavy games competition each summer for 150 years. Our street signs are in English and Gaelic. We sing O Canada in French, English and Gaelic at official events on campus, after being piped in by one of the many local pipers. I've been to a dinner where the haggis was piped in, addressed in Gaelic (words by Burns) and followed by a wee dram. In fact, during the Highland Games, there are pipe and drum as well as highland dance competitions. The space behind my house was used as a staging ground for individual competitors -- 12 hours of snare drum rolls, bass drum beats, and bagpipe tunes. Interestingly, the snare drum was the one that was most difficult to manage. I think I actually like bagpipes <smile>.
Today I've chosen to share a relatively recent song about Scotland complete with bagpipes, so be forewarned if they aren't your favourite. <smile> The lands shown in the video could easily be those of this part of the province in the summer. Quite breathtaking. Enjoy!
Mull of Kintyre -- Paul McCartney and Wings
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