However, its mandate has deviated little since its inception- to preserve and promote the culture of the Scottish Highlanders who settled in the area a couple of hundred years ago. What sets the College apart from its sister Gaelic colleges in the United Kingdom is a curriculum built around hands-on learning, its multidisciplinary approach and its focus on the Gaelic culture as it has evolved outside of the British Isles. College Director, Sam McPhee argues that many aspects of Scottish highland culture are purer in Cape Breton, as they currently exist, than in Scotland itself. This is particularly true with regards to music. Students at the College can leave piping class and walk into highland dancing and then on to Gaelic language or weaving classes.
Instruction is participant driven with an emphasis placed on learning through doing.
The College has seen its greatest growth within the last 7 years. McPhee attributes part of this growth to the Celtic resurgence spearheaded by performers like Ashley MacIssac, Natalie MacMaster and the Barra MacNeils. In terms of the Cape Breton cultural economy as a whole, McPhee feels that there is more room to grow. He is however concerned about the possibility of over-commercialization and hopes that Cape Breton will stay true to its authentic Gaelic roots. During my day spent at the College, there was a slew of high school and elementary students spending part of their Spring Break taking classes.