Monday is a holiday, so why not plan on going for a little drive to Leitches Creek—located just off Highway 125 between Sydney and North Sydney—and take in an afternoon of songs. This little white church is the perfect setting for these artists from Scotland and Cape Breton. Cathy Ann MacPhee, one of the great voices in Gaelic song, was born on the Isle of Barra in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Her interpretations of traditional songs are shaped by a deep connection to language and place. Cathy Ann now calls Nova Scotia home and it’s wonderful to have her so much closer to Cape Breton. Kathleen MacInnes hails from South Uist in the Western Isles where she grew up immersed in Gaelic song, language, and culture. Deeply rooted in this Gaelic heritage, Kathleen’s music reflects her connection to the landscapes and traditions of the Hebrides. Richmond County’s Isabella Samson blends folky storytelling, a rootsy Americana sound, and the melodic sensibilities of contemporary folk-pop in a way that has earned the young songwriter plenty of attention since her award-winning debut album, It’s Not Forever, was released in 2022. Malcolm MacNeil and Maxim Cormier will provide instrumental interludes throughout this afternoon of songs.