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CAPE BRETON

| Canada

300C FEATURE DESTINATION: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

Cape Breton Island is Nova Scotia’s northernmost land mass, and a place of unsurpassed natural beauty. One of its main attractions is wildly scenic Cape Breton Highlands National Park, located at the far north edge of the island’s western tip. Others are the authentically restored fort at Louisbourg and scenic Bras d’Or Lake, the inland saltwater lake that almost bisects the island.
By air, road, rail or sea, Cape Breton Island is easily accessible. The visitor is immediately swept up in the striking beauty of the landscape and the warmth and welcome of the people living there.

Cape Breton Island is linked to mainland Nova Scotia by the Canso Causeway, a mile-long road and railway system that is part of the Trans-Canada Highway. Metropolitan Cape Breton is just the right size to make visitors feel at home. Fine hotels, restaurants, museums and attractions make it one of the island’s favorite stopping places. Always popular are the historic villages, world-class golf courses, and Celtic music festivals in the island’s stunning setting.

The history of Cape Breton Island is a multicultural one. Its settlers have included the Mi’kmaq, French, British, and later, predominantly Scottish people. In the early 1800s, as many as 40,000 Gaels from Scotland came to Cape Breton Island. For the next 150 years Gaelic was the predominant language in rural Cape Breton. Songs and stories collected then still delight audiences of today, continuing to reveal a rich cultural heritage.

When Europeans arrived, they found a green land covered in lush forests, streams and rivers full of salmon and trout, the forests home to caribou, cougars, moose and other wildlife. This has not changed. The Southern Gulf of St Lawrence is so rich in sea life that whale cruise operators guarantee sightings. Sea turtles are also present. Whether your preference is for historic sites, cultural events, outdoor adventure or relaxation in a phenomenally beautiful setting, Cape Breton Island is the perfect place to visit. The island features five Scenic Trails. Pack a picnic and travel to the Bras d’Or Lakes to watch a spectacular sunset, or photograph the breathtaking scenery while hiking or bicycle riding along the rugged eastern coast. The beaches on the western “Sunset Side of the Island” are perfect for whale watching, sailing, kayaking and scuba diving.

Residents and visitors join in the old-time dances as bagpipers and fiddlers celebrate Gaelic culture amidst the quiet beauty of the Ceilidh Trail. The Keltic Lodge, Cabot Trail, and the Cape Breton highlands make up Nova Scotia’s Atlantic Uplands. Cape Breton Highlands National Park is located at the north end of the island, where the highest point in the province rises to over 15,000 feet.

Although seasonal hunting continues in this area, tourism and recreational activities predominate because of the impressive scenery and wildlife attractions along the Cabot Trail and in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The Cabot Trail is the official designation for the 185-mile roadway around the northwest part of the island, which encompasses the national park. It’s named after John Cabot, who many believe first set foot on North American soil near Cape North.

The Margaree Valley on the west coast, south of Inverness, is a beautiful farming region. Livestock raising and dairying, the most valuable agricultural activities, are carried out in the farmlands of this area. Sydney, the largest city on the island, is a steel-manufacturing center.

The Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-lee) Trail lines the west coast of Cape Breton Island. The images of blue ocean, green mountains, and jutting capes define the perimeter of Cape Breton Island, but inland there are serene river valleys, placid lakes and waterfalls.

Baddeck, (much like a New England village) offers fine accommodations and restaurants, and is centrally positioned for day excursions to many of the island’s attractions: the national park and the reconstructed historic settlement of Louisbourg. Visitors can tour the Fortress at Louisbourg, wander through centuries-old Acadian villages, and descend to a coal mine beneath the ocean floor.

For a vacation that is never to be forgotten, consider Cape Breton. When you arrive, listen for the words of the Gaelic greeting you are sure to hear: ‘Ciad Mille Failt’ (OneHundred Thousand Welcomes!)

Cape Breton Regional Information

Population: 158,300

Time Zone: Atlantic Time Zone. When it is noon in New York City, it is 1:00 PM in Cape Breton

Average Temperatures:

Month

High Low
January 31F 15F
February 32F 15F
March 39F 23F
April 46F 32F
May 57F 40F
June 68F 48F
July 74F 55F
August 74F 56F
September 67F 51F
October 57F 43F
November 48F 32F
December 37F 21F

Holidays

New Year’s Day (January 1)

Good Friday (varies)

Easter Monday (varies)

Victoria Day (closest Monday to May 24)

Canada Day (July 1)

Labour Day (September 4)

Thanksgiving (2nd Monday in October)

Remembrance Day (November 11)

Christmas (December 25)

Boxing Day (December 26).

Getting There

Cape Breton is connected to the mainland via the Canso Causeway, an 80-foot-wide, 217-foot-deep, 4,300-foot-long stone causeway built in 1955 with 10 million tons of rock hewn from an adjoining mountain (half of which remains). The causeway is 163 miles from the New Brunswick border at Amherst and 169 miles from Halifax.

From Canada

Follow the Trans-Canada Highway #2 to the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick border, then follow the Trans-Canada Highway #104 to Cape Breton Island.

Follow Interstate 95 north to the US/New Brunswick border. Follow the Trans-Canada Highway #2 to the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick border, then follow the Trans-Canada Highway #104 to Cape Breton Island.

From the US to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia:

At Yarmouth, follow Highway #103 to HIghway #102. Follow the #102 to the Trans-Canada Highway #104, which leads to Cape Breton Island.

By Sea

From Bar Harbour, Maine:

For schedules and reservations, contact Bay Ferries Ltd., 1-888-249-7245. Tickets must be picked up one hour before sailing.

From Portland, Maine

Daily service, May through October. Reservations required. In the US or Canada, call Prince of Fundy Cruises, 1-800-341-7540. In Maine only, call 1-800-482-0955

By Air

The Sydney Airport on the island is serviced daily by regular Air Nova flights via Halifax and on to New York, Boston, Montreal, Toronto and St. John’s. During high season, air service is supplemented with direct charter flights from Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal to Sydney. Sydney Airport has several car rental kiosks.

By Rail

VIA Rail Canada offers service weekly to and from Cape Breton Island on its Bras d’Or Line. The train departs once a week from Halifax or Sydney. The special luxury train winds through picturesque communities and rolls along the shores of the Bras d’Or Lakes. Regional cuisine is served on board. VIA Rail (800/561-3949 in the U.S., or 888/842-7245 in Canada).

Cape Breton Family Fun Attractions

Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Park

July-Aug daily 9am-6pm; May-June and Sept-Oct daily 9:30am-5pm

Louisbourg, NS

(902)733-2280

Closed Nov 1-Apr 30

You will wander through the impressive gatehouse preparing to be challenged by a costumed guard who may mistake you for an English spy. Visit the exhibits, the farm, and finally the bakery for freshly baked bread out of wood-fired ovens.

Highland Village Museum

Free guided tours by costumed interpreters.

Hours Mid-May to mid-Oct daily 9am-6pm (mid-July to late Aug until 8pm)

Location Rte. 223, Iona

Phone 902/725-2272

Closed mid-Oct to mid-May

The Highland Village is located near Iona, on a grassy hillside with sweeping views over the lake. The living history museum contains a 43 acre village featuring 10 buildings that reflect the region’s Gaelic heritage, including historic structures moved here from locations around the island and exacting replicas. These range from the Black House (ca. 1790), a stone and sod hut of the sort an immigrant would have lived in prior to departing Scotland, to a schoolhouse and general store from the 1920s. Staffers dressed in historical costume will answer any questions you may have about early island life.

Cape Breton Events & Entertainment

Mabou Ceilidh Days
June 27 to July 1
Mabou Ceilidh Days. Mabou. Road race, boat parade, street parade, dances, buffet dinner, Scottish concert, children’s games and crafts, chicken barbeque, outdoor gala, beer garden, and softball tournament.

Early July
Glendale Ceilidh Days Glendale
Outdoor Scottish concert, family square dance held at Glendale Parish Hall & grounds. Adult dances

Inverness Crab Festival
Mid July
Noon – 6pm
Inverness Crab Festival. Inverness Museum. Live entertainment on deck of Museum.

July
Bartown Festival
North Sydney

Judique On The Floor Days
July 11 to 13
Judique On The Floor Days. Judique Recreation Grounds. Outdoor dances, beer gardens, children’s games, games of chance, ball games, junior track meet, variety concert, road race, dinner and teen dance. This event is held out doors except for the teen dance at the Judique Recreation Grounds 20 miles north of the Canso Causeway on route #19 Judique

Mid-July
Whycocomagh Summer Festival
The 30th Anniversary of the Whycocomagh Summer Festival. Situated at the head of the Bras d’Or Lakes, it is ideal for water activities such as canoe racing and boat tours and Ceilidhs On The Waterfront featuring traditional Scottish and Mi’Kmaq talent. There are Maragh suppers, craft shows, dances, kiddie games and a wide variety of sporting events for all ages.

Inverness Gathering
Third week in July
Inverness Gathering. Groups in the area have a day of activities- I.E.: K.C. Senior’s Party. Wednesday-Legion Day-Parade Of Vets, games of chance, bingo, BBQ, harness racing.Friday – Fireman’s Day – pie sale, fire-truck rides, BBQ, flea market, games, Brigade Beauties fashion show, dance. Saturday – arena & minor hockey – games of chance, kiddie parade & main float parade (many changes each year). Sunday – harness racing.

Belle Cote Days on the Cabot Trail
Last weekend each July – Ecumenical Service, outdoor concert. Sunset beach party. Corn & crab boil on Friday, breakfast brunch and adult dance on Saturday, Kid’s Day Saturday pm, Seniors Day Friday pm. Fireman’s chicken barbeque on Sunday.

Chestico Days Summer Festival July 28 to August 3
Port Hood Arena grounds. Week-long summer festival with events such as golf tournament, horse race, road race, dances, concerts, ceilidhs, BBQ, beer gardens, boat and street parades, boat rides, games, fireworks, stepdancing showcase, Celtic music, stepdancing workshops. Children’s parade, teen dances.
Golf tournament;
Horse race
Concerts/ceilidhs
Stepdancing workshops
Road race
Dances

Early August
Festival de l’Escaouette
Festival de l’Escaouette. Annual Acadian Festival featuring 3 days of concerts. Live entertainment, dances, Acadian meals, parade, children’s activities and much more. A chance to relive the Acadian traditions. We invite all our visitors to join in with our community for a festive 3 days in the beautiful Acadian region of Cheticamp. Aug 1–3. Admission charged.

Creignish Ceilidh By The Sea
August 8 to 10
Children’s games, bbq, bicycle parade, concert and family square dance all concentrating on Celtic culture and community. Family fun.

Third week in August
Annual Cape Breton Exhibition
Held in North Sydney

Aug 30–Sep 1
Cabot Trail Bicycle Tour
Cape Breton Highlands. Largest cycling event in Cape Breton. Recreational cycling tour around the Cabot Trail. Admission fee.

Third weekend in August
Annual Kintyre Farm Scottish Outdoor Concert
Kintyre Farm Scottish Concert. Kintyre Farm. 2-7 pm – Outdoor family Scottish concert At Kintyre Farm, Judique featuring Judique’s and Inverness County’s famed fiddlers, singers, dancers, pipers and Celtic guitarists. Canteen, washrooms and fee parking. Pack a blanket or chairs & head for this scenic country farm setting. At the Centre, take in a ceilidh from 7-9 pm and adult square dance 9 pm . Always third Sunday in August..

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