Buddy MacMaster will receive the Order of Nova Scotia.

The Judique fiddler is one of five Nova Scotians chosen for the province's highest honour, and in announcing MacMaster's inclusion the 2003 selections, Premier John Hamm noted that "Hugh Allan ‘Buddy' MacMaster is a renowned Cape Breton fiddler who, through his music, has help preserve our province's Celtic culture. He has donated countless hours to his community and has inspired many young musicians to follow his path."

 The Nova Scotia honour is not the first public recognition of the great fiddler's talent and humanity. In 2000, the federal government of Canada presented MacMaster with the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honour.

Buddy played publicly for the first time in Port Hood when he was 12, and played for his first paying dance in Troy when he was 15.