We are planning a 2006 summer trip to Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. Hearing and playing Celtic music is a must. We're also interested in fishing - either lake or ocean. Our timing is flexable depending on the best activities. Are there any great music spots that we shouldn't miss? Suggestions for fishing sites would also be welcome. Any recommendations of B&B's and restaurants would be greatly appreciated, too.

Very early in July the Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Canso offers a very high quality lineup that always includes some Cape Breton fiddling and various celtic performers. A wonderful weekend in a village by the ocean.
Jerry

You should look into the Normaway Inn in the Margaree Valley. Although I don't fish, the Margaree is one of the best salmon rivers in the country, and the Normaway was originally a fishing lodge.

Today it's a very comfortable inn, and once a week it holds a ceilidh with local musicians. When we were there a few years ago, we were fortunate enough to hear the dean of Cape Breton fiddlers, Buddy McMaster. It was a wonderful evening. The owner, David MacDonald acts as MC, and he could also put you on to other musical happenings nearby. The night we heard Buddy MacMaster, his neice, Natalie MacMaster was playing at Mabou, and the bad boy Ashley MacIsaac was in Chéticamp (and was reportedly well behaved). But there are many other very talented musicians around as well as these well known names.

novascotiafishing.com

One possibility is attending a concert or performance at the Gaelic College at St. Ann on Cape Breton Island. The college, which hosts all sorts of summer classes, puts on a number of special events each summer. 2005 events included the Cape Breton Piping, Drumming & Pipe Band Championship; a Highland Dance Competition; Feis a’ Mhoid (The Gaelic Mod); and the Festival of Cape Breton Fiddling. For more info, go to www.gaeliccollege.edu. Also, if you have time to travel to Prince Edward Island, check out the College of Piping in the town of Summerside. In the summer, the college puts on a fabulous celtic concert series that will knock your socks off (collegeofpiping.com. It's well worth the trip!

http://sportfishing.mynovascotia.net

is another site to review fishing reports - what is being caught during specific months.

Celtic Colors in October is a great time to hear lots of Celtic music. Check out the pubs in Halifax on a Saturday afternoon. Cheticamp pub on a Saturday afternoon has a matinee and you never know who will show up. The New Glasgow Jubliee, usually held the 1st weekend of August, has a large selection of music - not just Celtic - but what a bargain. $25 for 4 nights of terrific music. In Pictou, the deCoste Entertainment Centre has an evening once a week devoted to local music.

I lived in Nova Scotia for 8 years - just left last summer. I don't fish so can not help you there but suggest you visit the travel Nova Scotia web site and order the DOs and Dreamers vacation guide - it provides great information and we used it extensively when planning our trips through this lovely province.