Lake Bras D'or and the Barra MacNeils

[Mac Coinneach]

I was channel surfing last night and came across a very good documentary on APTN (Aboriginal People's Television Network). The documentary series was on "Great Canadian Lakes" but this episoded centred around the history of Lake Bras D'or in Nova Scotia. It spends quite a bit of time with the history of the area and the people that lived around the lake - a good deal of time is given Alexander Graham Bell and the Barra MacNeils. At the end of the program it talks about the decline of the Gaelic language in the area, and at the same time parallels the struggle both the Scots and the Mic Mac Indians of Lake Bras D'or are going through to regain their respective cultures.

If you go to the page on Lake Bras D'or and click "Scots" you should be able to see that part of the program. Or you can try this link HERE.

[Seil]

I spent a wee while in Cape Breton. One of the events I remember was a weekend when the landings at Iona by MacNeils from the Island of Barra in Scotland were commemorated.

An open air concert with the 'Barra Macneills', Rankins plus plus brought in the crowds as did the roasted pig.

It is actually very scenic and a lovely area to visit.


Electric Scotland gives useful background coverage -

http://www.electricscotland.com/hiStory ... insula.htm



I'm always amused when I recall that before the Scots settled in Cape Breton, Portuguese sailors had passed along the coast and seeing no easy landing place described it as The Cape of Nothing!


James.

[Wry Mouth]

it is a very beautiful place, relatives have land there. i would love to go back for a visit, harvest some oysters, wrap 'em in bacon and broil them up!

lee