In a remarkably short period of time, The Cottars have become Cape Breton's latest musical success story. This dynamic Celtic band is comprised of four musicians who have been playing traditional music since childhood. Each is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and stepdancer. They have entertained national and regional political figures and, in various combinations, have shared the stage with stars such as The Chieftains, Danú, Bruce Cockburn, The Barra MacNeils, Natalie MacMaster, Altan, and many, many others.

During the summer of 2001, the quartet performed for hockey legends Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull, and Joe Sakic at a private banquet. In August of that year, during a concert tour of the Boston area, The Cottars received standing ovations for every selection that they performed! A reporter for The Cape Cod Times gave the band a glowing review, and commented that "the young artists1 stage presence was stunning!" The Boston Globe said, "Who dares to share the stage with this over-achieving foursome!"

In the fall of 2001, during The Celtic Colours Festival, The Cottars were presented with "The Tic Butler Music Award" for the preservation of Cape Breton culture.  In 2002, the band recorded its first CD ("Made In Cape Breton"), and later successfully toured New England again ~ this time giving private performances for Senator Ted Kennedy and his family in Massachusetts. Back home in Canada, a CBC-TV Special entitled "Meet The Cottars" was aired across the country. Later in the year, the youngsters appeared at several major North American music-festivals (including Newport, where Bob Dylan shared the bill).

During 2003, The Cottars won an East Coast Music Award, two MIANS Awards, and were nominated for a prestigious Gemini. They made concert appearances in Georgia, Colorado, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Connecticut, Utah, Nevada, California, Washington DC, and many other parts of the US. After successful tours of eastern and western Canada, the band then performed (to rave reviews) in both Denmark and Japan. The young band's' first CD, "Made In Cape Breton" (featuring Fiona & Ciarán MacGillivray singing "The Briar & The Rose"), has been on the "Top Ten" best-seller list in Nova Scotia for over 2 years. And, on June 8th of 2004, the quartet released a highly-anticipated second CD, "On Fire", to rave reviews.

In 2004, The Cottars taped a CBC-TV 1-hour special with the world-famous Chieftains of Ireland. In December, they completed a second tour of Japan.  In 2005, The Cottars won their second ECMA Award for the CD "On Fire". They also performed at the APAP Conference in New York City and the Folk Alliance gathering in Montréal. The band also completed successful tours of Louisiana, New England, the Canadian prairies, the Rockies, and the Maritimes. In the fall, they recorded their 3rd CD in studios in Nashville and Cape Breton.

In 2006, The Cottars completed a 25-city tour of the USA with the legendary Chieftains, finishing up in famed Carnegie Hall (March 17th) where they were joined by Elvis Costello.