New Student Housing Coming to Gaelic College Campus in Mabou

The Province is supporting the development of 24 new housing units at Beinn Mhàbu, the satellite campus of Nova Scotia’s Gaelic College, Colaisde na Gàidhlig, to increase housing supply in western Cape Breton.

The two-storey, 24-unit building at the Mabou site will be used by students during the school year and by seasonal workers and tourists from May to August. Construction will start right away with an anticipated completion date of January 2026.

“I am so pleased our government is supporting more housing in Inverness County and creating more options for Nova Scotia’s Gaelic students,” said Kyle MacQuarrie, Ministerial Assistant for Gaelic Affairs and MLA for Inverness, on behalf of Brendan Maguire, Minister of Advanced Education. “Housing continues to be a priority as we work with our post-secondary and other partners to identify opportunities to build the housing people across the province need. Tapadh leibh gu Colaisde na Gàidhlig airson a bhith ag obair còmhla rinn air a’ phròiseact chudromach seo!” (translation: Thank you to the Gaelic College for partnering with us on this important project!)

The building will incorporate modular construction, and each unit will be equipped with a three-piece bath and kitchenette. A common laundry room will be available to tenants.

Beinn Mhàbu offers in-person (bachelor of arts in community studies) and online programming in partnership with Cape Breton University.

Quotes:

“We are very thankful to the Province of Nova Scotia for this funding. This is a historic day for Colaisde na Gàidhlig and Beinn Mhàbu and will make a difference for our students and the broader community. A special thanks to advisory chair Joe Shannon, who was key in making this project a reality.”
— Rodney MacDonald, President, Colaisde na Gàidhlig | The Gaelic College

Quick Facts:

• the Province is contributing nearly $3 million to the college over two years for the new housing; the total cost of the project is $4.9 million
• for more than 85 years, Colaisde na Gàidhlig has offered year-round programming in the culture, music, language, crafts, customs and traditions of the immigrants from the Highlands of Scotland; it is the only institution of its kind in North America

Additional Resources:

Beinn Mhàbu: https://www.beinnmhabu.ca/

Colaisde na Gàidhlig | The Gaelic College: https://gaeliccollege.edu/about/about-the-gaelic-college/

Beinn Mhàbu and Cape Breton University: https://www.cbu.ca/academics/programs/beinn-mhabu/