The strong links between Canada and Scotland are evident in Cape Breton step dancing.
Part of the province of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island on the eastern Canada seaboard has been strongly influenced by Scottish settlers who were evicted from their homes during the Highland Clearances in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Dancer Harvey Beaton explains, Cape Breton step dancing originated in Scotland and was brought to Canada by emigrants from Scotland. The dance style is performed at concerts, social gatherings and set dancing sessions.
It's very much alive and well there today.
Music is performed by Natalie McMaster on fiddle and Tracey Dares on piano.
This episode of 'The Pure Drop' was broadcast on 7 January 1996. The presenter is Martin McGinley.
The Pure Drop' was an Irish traditional music programme produced by musician and broadcaster Tony MacMahon. The first series was filmed at the height of the summer festival season in 1987, with six of its nine episodes presented by fiddler James Kelly from Óstán Dún an Óir in Ballyferriter, West Kerry. It was first broadcast on 07 January 1988. Singer Iarla Ó Lionáird took over as presenter for the second, third and fourth series, which were filmed in Cultúrlann na hÉireann, the headquarters of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Monkstown, County Dublin. Fiddler Paddy Glackin presented Series 5 - 9, while fiddler Martin McGinley presented the tenth and final series in 1996. The last episode was broadcast on 25 February 1996.
