AN ÀIRIGH | THE SHIELING 

Dé th' ann? | What is it?

An Àirigh is the Gàidhlig for 'the shieling' or summer dwelling – the huts where Gaels would live while they took care of the animals grazing the summer pastures. It was a 'home away from home', a place of fun, freedom and friendship which folks looked forward to each year. Although our immersion will take place during winter, we hope to create the same sense of fun community living which folks enjoyed at an àirigh.

An Àirigh is a full-time, live-in Gàidhlig immersion program for 10 Nova Scotian beginner learners to come together living in community while learning Gàidhlig over four transformative months.  Participants will live, eat, learn, and play - all through Gàidhlig.  This is a unique opportunity to step fully into Gàidhlig language and culture, supported by experienced instructors, surrounded by others on the same path, and immersed in a caring and vibrant community.

Participants will experience over 800 hours of using Gàidhlig through guided instruction, hands-on activities, evening and weekend programming, field trips, and cultural events. Sessions with guest instructors and tradition bearers offer deeper insights into Gàidhlig worldview and ways of being.

Whether you’re folding laundry, playing games, making supper, listening to stories, learning a song, or walking with others — you’ll be doing it through the living language of the Gaels.

Modh Ionnsachaidh | Learning Approach

We will use the 'Gàidhlig aig Baile' home-based, total immersion methodology based on natural language acquisition - learning like a child learns their mother tongue. This grounds language learning in daily domestic contexts, focused on language which is tangible, practical and can be used every day. The focus is on developing comprehension and spoken fluency, although we may spend some time working on reading and writing as well. There will be lots and lots of repetition and action-based learning, hands-on activities, light-hearted fun and simple daily activities to help you learn phrases you can use in your day-to-day lives.

Beatha Làitheil | Daily Life

Life at An Àirigh follows the natural rhythm of community living - grounded in Gàidhlig language, culture, and connection.

Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm: Participants take part in core programming - a mix of guided language learning, hands-on activities, and everyday tasks like cooking, games, and outdoor fun, all done through Gàidhlig. Whether you’re making a pot of soup, playing Jenga, or making art, you’re also building your fluency in a relaxed and encouraging environment.

Evenings feature optional programming: The opportunity to sing songs, play games, make crafts, or simply connect. These sessions may be led by staff or guest instructors and offer a chance to unwind while still engaging with the language. You’re always welcome to rest when you need to - participation is encouraged but never required.

Weekends and holidays: Mostly unscheduled, with some facilitation including optional cultural outings, field trips, and community events that may include visits to Gàidhlig elders, music sessions, or milling frolics.   Sessions may be led by staff or guest instructors.

You’ll also enjoy:

• Visits with local tradition-bearers and Gàidhlig speakers

• Outdoor activities and walks in nature, exploring land and language together

• Crafts, songs, stories, dance, and shared meals

• Gàidhlig films, game nights, ceilidhs, and spontaneous fun

• Time for personal reflection, journaling, and rest

Location | Àite

The immersion will take place in two beautiful neighbouring log homes in Roberta, Richmond County, Cape Breton. The houses are bright and airy with comfy communal spaces, fully equipped kitchens, gorgeous views over the Bras d'Or Lakes and access to a private beach and woodland. 

Dualchas | Cultural Context & Place-Based Learning

This program is deeply rooted in the cultural life of Nova Scotia’s Gaelic-speaking communities. Participants will engage directly with local tradition bearers, learning through stories, music, dance, food, and hands-on activities that reflect generations of lived experience. From ceilidhs to communal work, from traditional crafts to seasonal customs, you’ll gain an embodied understanding of Gaelic worldview, values, and beliefs. This is more than a language program - it’s a full immersion in a way of life shaped by the land, community, and a rich cultural inheritance.

Com-pàirtichean | Participant Criteria

You might be a great fit for An Àirigh if:

• You live in Nova Scotia

• You are a new or beginner Gàidhlig learner (others may be considered)

• You are able to commit to the full 4 months (other timeframes may be considered)

• You are motivated, open-minded, and willing to make mistakes

• You are willing to live in & build community

• You want to become a Gàidhlig speaker and/or instructor

• You are already engaged in Gàidhlig culture and you want to speak the language

Cosgais & Bursaraidhean | Costs & Bursaries

The 4-month An Àirigh program is valued at $10,800 per participant. There are full and partial bursaries available for eligible Nova Scotian participants.  Thanks to generous support from Nova Scotia's Office of Gaelic Affairs, bursaries are available to all who are eligible. We strongly encourage everyone to apply. Our goal is to make Gaelic learning as accessible as possible. Please indicate in your application form if you are interested in receiving one of these full or partial bursaries.

Everything you need to be fully immersed in the experience is included: accommodations, shared meals, daily language instruction, and a wide range of cultural and recreational activities at the immersion house, as well as occasional field trips and special events. 

Travel costs, personal expenses, snacks/special foods beyond shared meals, and entry fees are not included.

Fios mu Iarratasan | Application Info

To apply, please complete the online application form. 

The form will ask for some basic information about you, your background with the Gaelic language, and your interest in the program. We encourage thoughtful, genuine responses that help us get to know you. If you have any questions or encounter any issues with the form, don’t hesitate to reach out to gaidhliginthehome@gmail.com 

Applications will be reviewed & offers made on an ongoing basis by immersion organizers beginning immediately. Only those who most strongly meet the criteria will be selected for this immersion. 

The deadline for applications is Friday, August 8, 2025.

Sgioba na h-Àirigh | An Àirigh Team

Màiri ni'n Bhruis 'ic Dhòmhnaill | Màiri Britton

Màiri is an educator, musician and cultural project coordinator who has nurtured a life-long love and appreciation for the Gaelic language and culture. Growing up in Scotland, Gaelic always felt a part of her identity and has brought her the greatest gifts of community, creativity, travel, employment and friendship. She now gratefully lives in Unama’ki | Cape Breton where she works as Coordinator for Cala Cainnte and for Cainnt is Ceathramhan, a project cataloguing, transcribing and improving access to the Gaelic folklore of Nova Scotia. A trained Gàidhlig aig Baile instructor, she has taught Gaelic language and culture courses for seven years at St Francis Xavier University and is a regular tutor and mentor for Colaisde na Gàidhlig | Gaelic College and the Office of Gaelic Affairs. As a Gaelic singer, step dancer and harpist, Màiri has been lucky to teach, perform and record with different projects in Europe and North America, including as lead vocalist with the Gaelic trad group Fàrsan. She is a founding member of the Freumh is Fàs Gaelic intentional community project, and has been a guest and host for the Gaelic Narrative Project, recently editing a short book about the initiative. 

Eamag nighean Raibeirt Eachainn | Emily MacDonald

Eamag nighean Raibeirt Eachainn | Emily MacDonald is from Gleann nam Màgan | Ainslie Glen, Inverness County, with MacKinnon and MacLellan roots stretching back to Skye and Morar. She was drawn early to Gaelic and has spent years learning from elders, community programs, and immersive environments. A graduate of Celtic Studies and Education at StFX, she has worked in community-based education for almost two decades. 

Eamag played a key role in establishing the Na Gaisgich Òga program at Colaisde na Gàidhlig, was the founding teacher at Taigh Sgoile na Drochaide, and has long been active in supporting intergenerational Gaelic learning in her community. She has also contributed to An Drochaid Eadarainn | The Bridge Between Us, Cainnt is Ceathramhan | Language & Lyrics, and helped organize immersion programs like A’ Togail na Gàidhlig. Her learning has been shaped by generous mentors, and she’s glad to now be giving back to the community that raised her. A proud mother of two, Archie and Rosie, she cherishes time spent visiting with friends, singing, and speaking Gaelic.

Raibeart mac Bhruis | Rob Pringle

Robert is from The Points, West Bay and grew up hearing lots of Gaelic from his late grandmother, Annie MacDonald. He enjoys farming, ceilidhs, playing guitar and listening to Gaelic stories, as well as substitute teaching at the Gaelic immersion school in Mabou. Currently he works at the Highland Village as a Cleasaiche. He is an electrician by trade, and a tea-drinker by inclination. This year he completed a Masters thesis at St FX focused on Gaelic settlement in the West Bay area.

Sionainn ni'n Aonghais 'ic Iain Peadair | Shannon MacMullin

Shannon is an old soul with a curious mind, generous spirit, and special love of Nova Scotia Gaels, their language and culture.  She is a Gàidhlig speaker and carries songs, stories, and community & family histories.  She loves anything local: songs, food, crafts, music, dances, plants, and dialects.  She is currently working at the Office of Gaelic Affairs.  She learned to speak her language through the Gàidhlig aig Baile methodology and is keen to share it with others whenever she can.  She sees language and cultural reclamation as a road to decolonization, allyship, and fostering resilience.  She's passionate about creating spaces for reclaiming.   

Buidheachas | Acknowledgements

Cala Cainnte is supported by a partnership between Baile nan Gàidheal | Highland Village Museum and Oifis Iomairtean na Gàidhlig | Nova Scotia's Office of Gaelic Affairs.  With deep gratitude, we acknowledge the support of the Province of Nova Scotia.  Mìle taing!

We honour Fionnlagh MacLeòid | Finlay MacLeod, a true language hero, whose vision and dedication have inspired the Gàidhlig aig Baile methodology, Gaelic learners, parents, and instructors.  Cumaidh sinn oirnn!

To the elder tradition bearers, past and present: thank you for your generosity, your time, your language, and your ways.  We carry your gifts with us.  Tha sinn fada 'nur comain.

Tapadh leibh to all the speakers, learners, mentors, teachers, and community members who make Gaelic Nova Scotia such a vibrant and welcoming place.