Treasures of Youth Fund

08/20/2026

We had a wonderful night at Colaisde na Gàidhlig / The Gaelic College celebrating our 2026 Treasures of Youth Scholarship winners, alongside a fantastic concert with guests Brenda Stubbert and Leanne Aucoin.

We’re so proud of these young leaders and hope their scholarships help them continue pursuing their goals in Gaelic language, music, and dance.

A big congratulations once again to Maya MacLeod, Jordi Martin, Eva Dwyer, Ian Krill, and Iris MacKenzie! 🎻💃🎶

Here’s to the next generation of Gaelic culture and the bright future ahead! 💛

08/19/2026

Another great ceilidh coming right up, as we welcome back guests Brenda and Leanne, and an annual nod to the Treasures of Youth Fund winners for 2026! Come by and see us in person, or if you'd like, we'll be back streaming online. See you Wednesday!

08/01/2026

Today’s Highland Village Day concert has been canceled due to inclement weather. The Treasures of Youth presentation has been rescheduled for August 19 at 7:30 p.m. during the Gaelic College’s Wednesday night ceilidh. We invite you to join us either in person or virtually to enjoy performances by our wonderful past and present scholarship recipients. We remain deeply proud of this talented group and look forward to celebrating their continued growth and progress. 🎻🎹🎼

*Concert Cancellation*

It is with great disappointment that we announce the cancellation of today's 65th Annual Highland Village Day Concert due to the forecasted weather.

This was not a decision we made lightly. After carefully reviewing the forecast, we believe cancelling the event is the safest choice for our performers, volunteers, staff, vendors, and visitors.

We know many of you were looking forward to celebrating this milestone with us, and we share in that disappointment. Thank you for your understanding and for your continued support of Highland Village Museum.

Highland Village Museum remains open today from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We invite you to visit the Village, explore the site, and commemorate our 65th Anniversary with one of our limited edition anniversary T-shirts.

We also extend our sincere thanks to our performers, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and staff for the time and effort they dedicated to making this year's celebration possible.

07/31/2026

Check out all of the music happening tomorrow at the Highland Village! 2-6pm. The lineup will also include a special presentation of the 2026 Treasures of Youth scholarship recipients (around 4pm ish). This is going to be a really fun day, so pack a chair, some sunscreen and a water bottle and we’ll see ya on the hill!!! 🎶

The 65th Annual Highland Village Day Concert | Là Mór a Bhaile is just around the corner, and we're excited to give you a first look at the incredible talent taking the stage on August 1st!

This year's Concert features an outstanding lineup of musicians, singers, dancers, and performers who represent the rich traditions and vibrant culture in Cape Breton.

Featuring:
• Rankin and the Broken Reeds
• Donnie Campbell
• Margie Beaton
• Stephanie MacDonald
• Bradley Murphy
• Matt MacIsaac
• Malcolm, John Angus & MaryAnna MacNeil
• Kaj Udby, Luke Boudreau, Kyle LeVesconte & Jordi Martin
• Marley & Phillip Whyte
• MacArthur Highland Dancers
• Highland Village Gaelic Singers
and more! 🎻🎶

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of music, dance, and community as we celebrate the 65th Annual Highland Village Day. Bring your family, your friends, and your dancing shoes!

🗓 August 1st
📍 Highland Village Museum. Iona, N.S
⏰ 2-6pm

We can't wait to welcome you!

06/11/2026

The Stòras na h-Òigridh / Treasures of Youth committee is excited to announce the 2026 scholarship recipients! Wow, there were a lot of applicants we wanted to award. If you applied and your name isn't listed here, we truly hope you'll apply again next year.

Please enjoy this video and join us in thanking all who applied along with ELLA MACPHERSON and past scholarship recipient WESLEY MACLEAN for loaning us their voices and BOYD MACNEIL for volunteering his time and talent to put this video together for us.
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Including today’s announcement and with the support of our community, $35,750.00 has been awarded to date.

Please give a drum roll for the 2026 Treasures of Youth scholarship recipients:

1. $1000 is awarded to 13 year old MAYA MACLEOD of Baddeck to learn fiddle, piano and Gaelic.

2. $1000 is awarded to 17 year old IAN KRILL of Halifax to learn Fiddle and Gaelic.

3. $1000 is awarded to 9 year old IRIS MACKENZIE of Mabou for Gaelic, Highland Dance and Fiddle.

4. $1000 is awarded to 16 year old JORDIE MARTIN of Pleasant Hill, to purchase a new keyboard

5. $500 is awarded to 8 year old EVA DWYRE of Little Bras d’Or to learn piano, step and highland dance.

Congratulations!!!!

Thanks to all who continue to support educating youth in Gaelic cultural arts. To offer support or to learn more about the fund, please visit treasuresofyouth.ca

06/06/2026

Great music happening at the Frolic’N Folk Pub today 3-6pm - some past Treasures of Youth scholarship recipients on the stage here! Kaj Udby and Luke Boudreau - along with John Angus MacNeil, Jordie Martin and Kyle LeVesconte. This years winners to be announced soon - so many incredibly deserving youth 🎶

05/23/2026

04/30/2026

Last day to apply! You have until midnight to apply for this opportunity - it’s been decided that this deadline will not be extended.
If you’ve applied in previous years unsuccessfully, we encourage you to try again!!

4 x $1000 and 1 x $500 scholarships to be awarded.

04/16/2026

April 15 marks the halfway point in the Treasures of Youth Fund annual scholarship application cycle!

If you have been considering applying, this is a great time to check in on your progress, gather any remaining materials, and start shaping your submission. The Treasures of Youth program supports young people in their pursuit of music, culture, and heritage, and we look forward each year to seeing the passion and talent that comes forward through these applications.

Applications remain open, and we encourage all eligible youth to take part:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/CFNS1/St%C3%B2rasNaH%C3%92igridhTreasuresOfYouthFund

Photograph of some of last year’s Treasures of Youth recipients alongside members of the selection committee at the 2025 Highland Village Day concert.

04/01/2026

Stòras na h-Òigridh is now calling for submissions for this year's scholarships. The deadline is April 30th, 2026. This year, four $1,000 scholarships and one $500 scholarship are available to be won.

Applicants must be Nova Scotians between the ages of 5 and 21 who are keen to advance their skills in one or more of the following Scottish Gaelic traditions: fiddle, pipes, piano/guitar accompaniment, language, storytelling, song or dance.

The Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia (CFNS), has provided $31,250.00 to 36 youth across the province over the past ten years. The 2025 recipients were John Angus Muir from Sydney fiddle, Ruby Burton from Whitney Pier for piano, Gaelic language and dance, Ella Jo MacNeil from Halifax for fiddle, Aibha Campbell from MacKinnon’s Harbour for fiddle, Sarah Arsenault from Sydney River for fiddle and dance and Vayda Heavenor from Jamesville for fiddle, piano, guitar and dance.

Application forms are to be submitted online.
https://cfns.ca/treasuresofyouthfund/