An Seann Taigh

The story of a community, through the history of one house.

Discover the rich history of the Old Glebe House at Pipers Cove and the Grand Narrows community through the story of a single dwelling. Written by M. G. Mader, author of The End of an Era and The Local Electric Light Utility, and featuring detailed photography by Rochelle MacQueen, this book captures the timeline of European settlement in Cape Breton, from Scottish pioneers to today.

Once the home of a parish priest, the Old Glebe House is one of the oldest buildings in the Grand Narrows district. The narrative recounts its remarkable relocation to Pipers Cove by horse team and dives into the local culture, revealing tales of fairies, superstitions, and even an exorcism!

An Seann Taigh (Scottish Gaelic for 'the old house') offers a journey from the early 1800s to the present, providing a clear exploration of the Grand Narrows area's history through one house, while capturing the enduring spirit of a bygone era.

This compact paperback edition is published August 2026 by Eloise Editions, an imprint of Downingfield Press Proprietary Limited. First published February 2024 by Downingfield Press in hardback and paperback.