Dominion Steel and Coal Company. The Dominion Steel and Coal Company steel plant built at Whitney Pier brought in many of the people who make up the region's rich cultural diversity Today, Sydney is Nova Scotia's third largest city and is a major industrial centre. Cape Breton native Rannie Gillis has selected from a wide range of historical photographs to provide glimpses of the city's rich heritage. Industrial scenes, streetscapes, urban life, the historic waterfront, and domestic work all combine to offer a fascinating portrait of historic Sydney.

Rannie Gillis was born of Celtic parents in North Sydney, on Cape Breton Island, N.S., where the ancient Celtic language is still spoken. He grew up immersed in the finest traditions of Celtic music, his father, Ambrose, played the violin and his mother, Mary, is well known as a Celtic piano player. Ceilidhs were a frequent occurrence at their home. As well, Rannie studied Celtic history, literature and Gaelic at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., winning the coveted Angus L. MacDonald award for Celtic studies.

Rannie Gillis' profile page