Folk music from the eastern seaboard of Canada has long been a staple at Tønder Festival. The province of Nova Scotia (New Scotland) has a rich and vibrant music scene showing its clear Scots heritage. Nova Scotia Traditional music covers not only the island of Nova Scotia itself, but also the corresponding music of Cape Breton Island, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
Celtic music has not only survived here, but has over many years developed its own particular version of Scots traditional music. The French influence can still be traced, having lasted from the time in the 17th and 18th centuries when the area was a battleground between the colonial powers of France and Great Britain. Cape Breton is a vital centre for traditional music and dance, and bagpipes and fiddles are the main instruments. One of the best-known musical figures from this region is the fiddler Natalie MacMaster.