Cape Breton Island due to isolation preserved the old music and dance of the Scottish Highlands that was brought to its shores by settlers mostly driven from their homes by the Clearances. Irish also settled here with a similar culture and these two Gaelic groups were preceded by French Acadians who were also great fiddlers and stepdancers. The native Mi'kmaw also adopted this music and dance and became proficient performers. The Scotch Gaelic dancing all but disappeared in Scotland and was replced by other forms. The old Scotch style is similar to the Irish Seann Nos because they were one and the same people a thousand years ago. In spirit we are all Gaels still!