Looking for a great experience for your class?
The Highland Village is an outdoor classroom where students can come to learn about the lives of the Gaels and Gaelic culture through interpretive staff, hands-on experience, and physical presence in four distinct themes: Life in Gaelic Scotland, Pioneer Life in Nova Scotia, Farm Life, and Village Life. Highland Village can accommodate both elementary and secondary students both here on site and in your classroom.
Class trips to Highland Village
A visit to Highland Village will provide an educational encounter with the tangible and intangible past. Subject matter can include the following:
-Interpreting the history of everyday life
-Connecting and comparing the past with the present
-Following the historical development of Gaelic Nova Scotia
-Gaining an appreciation for the historical lifestyles of rural Gaels.
For a list of themes and related age groups please see our Resources for Teachers.
Length of Tour
Average time for touring Highland Village is approximately one and a half to two hours. Large groups will be divided into smaller groups and staggered by 10 minute intervals resulting in a longer tour time.
Facilities
The museum has upper and lower level car parking, a gift shop, public washrooms and a picnic area with tables and a shelter.
Appropriate Clothing
Much of the tour takes place outdoors. Dress should be suitable for prevailing weather conditions of the day.
Food and Drink
Students can eat their packed lunches in the picnic area. Food and drink are limited to this section of the grounds.
Purchases at the Museum
Souvenirs are available at our reception centre gift shop. Small items such as stick candy & toys can be purchased in the General Store on the museum site.
Sgadan is Buntata - An in-class cultural experience
The Highland Village in-class cultural experience brings presentations of Nova Scotian Gaelic folkways to public schools. In-school visits can also accommodate classes engaged in special projects on the provinces’ historical Gaelic communities. Presentations are conducted by knowledgeable costumed animators. By integrating cultural knowledge, history and crafts, the Village’s in-class program evokes Highland history in Nova Scotia.
Interpretive staff visits to the classroom will provide opportunities for students to see and interact with demonstrations of crafts performed by staff in period dress. Our Sgadan’s Buntata program is a great way to increase awareness the material culture of Gaelic Nova Scotia, and give students an amazing experience and introduction to the Gaels language and customs.
Booking Information
Visits to Highland Village
The Highland Village site offers a varied learning environment for school children. The Village is open to receive visitors from June 1 to October 17. Admission for school groups is $4 per student. Chaperones are admitted free.
In order to facilitate your visit to Highland Village, arrange for tours in the following way:
- Please book in advance. A minimum of two weeks is preferable
- A minimum of one chaperone per ten students;
It would be convenient to divide classes/groups as close to twenty students as possible before arriving at the museum.
Orientation & Procedures for On-site Visits
Teachers and chaperones will be provided with a map highlighting specific points of interest. An orientation guide will assist in organizing group tours. Interpretive staff will provide information on their respective buildings and direct visitors to the next stop. To maximize the benefits of Highland Village educational tours, we ask schools to observe the following procedures during their visit:
1. A minimum of one chaperone per ten students;
2. It would be convenient to divide classes/groups as close to twenty students as possible before arriving at the museum;
3. Please wait for an assigned staff guide before leaving area of buses;
4. Upon arrival, the tour leader should report to the reception desk with number of students and admission fees;
5. Students must remain with their chaperones and tour leader while visiting buildings;
6. To ensure ample room for all, groups are required to remain outside buildings until invited in by costumed guides;
7. Please be aware that many artifacts are rare, or irreplaceable. No handling is allowed unless otherwise indicated;
8. Upon completion of the tour, visitors are welcome to utilize the picnic area adjacent to the parking lot. Unless special permission has been obtained, no students will return to the historical area of the site;
9. Please refrain from visiting the Village gift shop until the end of the tour.
Booking information for Sgadan’s Buntata
Up to three sessions can be arranged for a school on the same day. A nominal charge of $1 per student will be charged to help defray presentation costs. Book early for maximum availability.
For more information or to book a tour:
Phone: 902-725-2272 or toll free at 1-866-4GAELIC (1-866-442-3542)
Fax: 902-725-2227
Email: gov.ns.ca or contact us online by at contact us.