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| Attractions
Attractions
The following attractions, historic sites, and museums are listed in geographical relationship to Mabou Ridge Centre (in a clockwise loop) within the Province of Nova Scotia's designated travelways. The Ceilidh Trail, the Cabot Trail, and the Bras d'Or Lakes Scenic Drive are travelways within our area.
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MacFarlane Woods Nature Reserve
MacFarlane Road, Mull River. Protected as a nature reserve under the Special Places Protection Act of the Province of Nova Scotia through the cooperation of the owner, a MacFarlane descendant, the trail is a walk of moderate difficulty which offers many opportunities for photography and peaceful reflection. This stand of trees is one of the very few stands of virgin forest on Cape Breton Island. The 150-year-old forest has never been cut and the old hardwood trees tower over majestic sun-filled clearings which are filled with rare plants. At the mountain's top, a pristine stream meanders through the forest floor, carpeted with ferns and tiny flowering plants while the 100-foot sugar maple, yellow birch and beech trees sway in the breezes above. Open year-round, dawn to dusk. P: 902.945.2928. Email.
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Mabou Harbour Lighthouse
Mabou, off Route 19. Built in 1884 to guide steamers carrying non-perishable goods into the only protected habour on the western coast of Cape Breton. Gypsum was shipped from here and there was a lobster and salmon canning factor next door to the lighthouse at that time. There were also a number of general stores which served the communities for miles around. Today, the lighthouse is the Mabou Harbour Museum and Tourist Centre, opened in June 1998, to showcase the history of the lighthouse and Mabou. Web.
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An Drochaid (The Bridge)
11509 Route 19, Mabou. Formerly a general store, built in 1875, now a centre for genealogical, historical and oral research in the Mabou area with special emphasis on its Gaelic tradition, including Celtic music and poetry. Open July & August. Operated by the Mabou Gaelic and Historical Society/Comunn Gàidhlig agus Eachdraidh Mhabu. P: 902.945.2311. Web.
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Red Shoe Pub
Main Street, Mabou. Re-opening in May 2005 after more than a year's closure, this Cape Breton entertainment landmark has been host to world-renowned musicians. Now owned by the Juno-award winning Rankin sisters, the pub will continue the tradition of combining great music and food.
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West Mabou Beach Provincial Park
West Mabou, watch for signs on Route 19. This 276-hectare environmentally-protected beach park has an extensive dune system and provides opportunities for hiking and beach access. Novice or seasoned hikers alike will revel in the dramatic and spectacular coastal views, the open grassy hills, and the forested trails. Interpretive panels explain the area’s diverse natural and cultural heritage values. Parking and vault toilet facilities. Maintained by the West Mabou Harbour Beach Committee.
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Cape Mabou Hiking Trails
Mabou Coal Mines. Entrances from Mabou Coal Mines or Sight Point (Inverness). Elaborate system of hiking and walking trails through abandoned farming communities of Cape Mabou and MacKinnon's Brook, settled in the early 1800s. Interpretive panels throughout. Open year-round. Operated by the Cape Mabou Trails Association.
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Glenora Distillery Economuseum
Route 19, Glenville. Single-malt whiskey economuseum. Distillery tours, scenic grounds, ceilidhs, inn, pub, dining room and gift shop. Open mid-May to late October. P: 902.258.2662 or 1.800.839.0491. Web.
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MacDonald House Museum
3458 Highway 395, East Lake Ainslie. 145-year-old house containing local artifacts, including furnishings. Furnished one-room schoolhouse and a restored barn on the grounds. Occasional barn dances and milling frolics. Hiking trails available, including the "Bunny Trail" for children; also hold Family Days with games and activities for children. Open June to September. Operated by the Lake Ainslie Historical Society. P: 902.258.3317 or 902.258.3257 (off-season). Email. Web.
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Inverness Beach
Beach Road #1, Inverness. Located within the limits of the town of Inverness at the bottom of Beach Road #1, on the opposite side of the road from the Inverness Hospital. Enjoyed by locals and visiting tourists alike, the beach boasts a boardwalk from which you can enjoy panoramic views, canteen facilities, and washroom facilities. Operated by the Municipality of Inverness.
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Inverness Miners' Museum
62 Lower Railway Street, Inverness. Located in a 1901 Canadian National Railway station, depicts the history of the area from settlement to the coal mining era through extensive displays, murals, photographs, paintings, documents, artifacts, and archival material. Art exhibits are featured in the Annex Gallery. Open June to September. Operated by the Inverness Historical Society. P: 902.258.3822. Email. Web.
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Inverness County Centre for the Arts
North end of Inverness, watch carefully for sign. Houses art gallery featuring the work of local and international artists and artisans. Workshops, seminars, performances, and special events. Open year-round. P: 902.258.2533. Web.
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Cabot Trail
The Cabot Trail is truly a wonder of nature that you'll not want to miss. Named after explorer, John Cabot, the trail enjoys a world-wide reputation as one of the world's most spectacular scenic drives. The 300 kilometre (185 mile) loop winds through the Margarees, colourful Acadian communities such as Chéticamp, around the Cape Breton Highlands National Park to some of the province's highest elevation points, through fishing villages such as Neil's Harbour, the sandy beaches of Ingonish, and along the Bras d'Or lakes through St. Ann's and Baddeck. You'll want to take a whole day for this trip so you can go home and tell your friends, "I did the whole trail!"
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Ceilidh Culture
10096 Cabot Trail, Margaree Habour. These Gaelic culture enthusiasts will make your trip one that'll not be forgotten. Offering step-on guide services for your bus tour, they'll make a Ceilidh on your bus with informed commentary, songs, and stories of the island. They also offer smaller custom tours for parties of one to four persons for the Cabot Trail, or customized tours of Gaelic Cape Breton. You can stop when, where and for as long as you wish. Museums, beaches, or waterfalls, all entirely your choice. Tell Rebecca Lynne and Geoff we said, "Hai! Ciamar a tha sibh!?" P: 902.235.2371. Email. Web.
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Margaree Salmon Museum
60 East Big Intervale Road, North East Margaree. Exhibits relate to salmon-angling on the Margaree River. Excellent collection of fishing tackle, photographs, and memorabilia of famous anglers. Open mid-June to mid-September. Operated by the Margaree Anglers' Association. P: 902.248.2848. Web.
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Margaree Fish Hatchery and Visitor Centre
115 Hatchery Road, Margaree Valley. Raises Atlantic salmon and brook trout to stock the Margaree watershed. Founded in 1902, the first salmon hatchery in Nova Scotia. See salmon in various stages of life. Open early June to late October. Operated by the Aquatic Development Association of Margaree. P: 902.248.2844. Web.
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Margaree-Lake Ainslie Heritage River System
Margaree River Valley through to Lake Ainslie. One of the largest river systems in Nova Scotia – 120 km in length and 116,537.5 hectares of watershed. Northeast Margaree rises in the Cape Breton Highlands joining the Southwest Margaree (from Lake Ainslie) at Margaree Forks and flowing to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. World famous for salmon fishing. Rich farmland worked by early Acadian and Gaelic settlers. Web.
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Great Hall of the Clans
Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts (the only institution of its kind in North America). 51779 Cabot Trail Road, St. Ann's. Offers a walk-around exhibit which traces the history and develoment of the Scot from ancient times through the Highland Clearances. Small pioneer artifact museum depicting local settlement. Craft shop, weekly ceilidhs, duty pipers. Open June to September. Operated by the Gaelic College Foundation. P: 902.295.3441, 902.295.2912, or 902.295.2891 (off-season). Email. Web.
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St. Ann's / Baddeck-Waipu Twinning Society
51779 Cabot Trail Road, St. Ann's (Gaelic College grounds, c@p site building). A link between Waipu and St. Ann's, the Society's main purpose is to welcome and assist visitors from New Zealand who are seeking family connections and ancestral lands. A resource for any visitor who is looking for their roots in St. Ann's. Open July and August. P: 902.295.3441.
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Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site
559 Chebucto Street, Baddeck. Celebrates the diverse interests, accomplishments, and contributions of Alexander Graham Bell: teaching the deaf to speak, and his various inventions – the telephone, kites, airplanes and hydrofoils. World's most comprehensive collection of Bell artifacts. Hands-on activities, special events, and summer children's programs. Park setting overlooking the Bras d'Or Lakes. Open May to October. Operated by Parks Canada. P: 902.295.2069. Web.
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Bras d'Or Lakes & Watershed Interpretive Centre
Chebucto Street, Baddeck. Presents the ecology of the Bras d'Or Lakes "through the eyes of an eagle" in six interactive modules. Detailed geomatics, satellite imaging, audio/video representation of biodiversity issues. Located in the historic Old Post Office (c 1885). Open June to mid-October. P: 902.295.1675. Web.
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Municipality of Victoria County Archives
495 Chebucto Street, Baddeck (Course House). Established in 2001 on the 150th anniversary of Victoria County to preserve the Municipal proceedings and minutes dating back to 1875. Includes many publications, histories, journals, papers, and newspaper articles which pertain to the people and communities of the county. Open year-round. Operated by the Municipality of Victoria County. P: 902.295.1843. Email. Web.
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Wagmatcook Cultural Centre
Trans Canada Highway 105, Wagmatcook. Mi'kmaq history and culture in a new and innovative setting. Interpretation, interaction and demonstration of the early times to the present. Weekly concerts, restaurant, large hall. Open year-round. Operated by the Wagmatcook First Nations Band. P: 902.295.2999. Email. Web.
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Highland Village Museum/
An Clachan Gàidhealach
4119 Highway 223, Iona. North America's only Gaelic museum. A living history museum with historical buildings, costumed animators, farm animals, dedicated to the lives of early settlers from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. 1780-1920 period hosues, church, store, barn, forge, school, and replica of Hebridean-style blackhouse. Gaelic language program, special events and programs, gift shop, genealogy and Gaelic resource centre. Spectacular view of the Bras d'Or Lakes. Open mid-May to mid-October. A part of the Nova Scotia Museum. Operated by the Nova Scotia Highland Village Society. P: 902.725.2272. Email. Web.
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Whycocomagh Provincial Park
Trans Canada 105, Whycocomagh, watch for signage. Occupying a dramatic hillside overlooking the Skye River Valley and the Bras d' Or Lake, the park offers a quiet scenic setting for camping, picnicing, hiking, and access to the Bras d' Or Lake. From the park, eagles maybe seen soaring above the lake or perched in trees along its shores. Stretch your legs and double your viewing pleasure! Look out over the Bras d’Or Lakes and the Skye River Valley from the top of Salt Mountain. The 2.4 kilometre (1.5 miles) Salt Mountain Trail is also an ideal vantage point for watching bald eagles. Open from mid-June until mid October and offers a 62-site campground, picnic areas, lake access and boat launch. Camping reservations can be made after April 30th. Web.
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Orangedale Railway Museum
1428 Main Street, Orangedale. Immortalized by the Rankin family's song, "Orangedale Whistle," the 1886 restored station is the only remaining station of the Intercolonial Railway. Visitors can see the restored upstairs living quarters of the stationmaster and his family. Other features include a model railway display, samples of rolling stock, and a box-car gift shop. Open mid-June to mid-October. Operated by the Orangedale Station Association. P: 902.756.3384. Web.
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Marble Mountain Community Museum and Library
5651 Marble Mountain Road, Marble Mountain. Located in a former schoolhouse, the museum presents the story of the limestone and marble industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many other unique items in its collection. Above the village of Marble Mountain, on the southwest side of the Bras d'Or Lakes, a panoramic scenic look-off makes the town's beach appear as a strip of fine, white sand. On closer inspection, it's revealed as marble chips mined from a nearby quarry that once employed nearly a thousand people. Just north of the community, another scenic look-off provides a spectacular view of the island-studded Bras d’Or Lakes. A short hike along the gravel lane leads to the abandoned marble quarry. The museum is open July and August. Operated by the Marble Mountain Community Association. P: 902.756.3384. Web.
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Father John Angus Rankin Cultural Centre
4248 Trans Canada Highway 105, Glendale. Gaelic resources centre and archives with materials dating back to 1800s. c@p site, kitchen ceilidhs, workshops. Open mid-June to mid-October. Operated by the Glendale Gaelic & Historical Society. P: 902.625.3441. Email. Web.
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Point Tupper Heritage Association Museum
165 Henry Paint Street, Port Hawkesbury. Housed in an 1893 Methodist Church, offers displays which depict the early history of the Point Tupper area. Open July & August. Operated by the Point Tupper Heritage Association. P: 902.625.1656. Email.
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Gut of Canso Museum and Archives
9 Church Street, Port Hastings. Exhibits showing the construction of the Canso Causeway, the deepest man-made causeway in the world, early transportation by ferry and railroad, and the social and economic life along the Gut (Strait) of Canso. Genealogy records. Located in a local heritage home. Open June through October. Operated by Port Hastings Historical Society. P: 902.625.1295. Email. Web.
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Celtic Music Interpretive Centre
5473 Route 19, Judique. Dedicated to the collection, preservation, and promotion of Celtic music. Visitors can learn about Cape Breton-style Celtic music through the guided tours (including a live demonstration of music and dance and a chat with local musicians), workshops, performances and extensive archives. Traditional Ceilidhs held weekly. Open June through August. Archives open all year. Operated by the Celtic Music Interpretative Centre Society. P: 902.787.2708. Email. Web.
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Judique Historical Society.
5663 Route 19, Judique. This building, known to the locals as "Jacks," was once the main store in Judique. It now displays photographs and depicts the lifestyles of the Judique area. Open July and August. P: 902.787.2362.
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Chestico Museum
8095 Route 19, Harbourview. Reflects the history of Port Hood from 1860 to 1925 through a variety of artifacts and other material relating to the history of the early settlers. Extensive genealogical data for Port Hood and area. Open June through August with the archives open year-round. Operated by the Chestico Museum & Historical Society. P: 902.787.2244 or 902.787.2930. Email. Web.
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Port Hood Beach
Route 19, Port Hood. This beautiful sandy beach is perfect for hiking, swimming, and picnics. A boardwalk winds through the dunes for the length of the beach and there is a rock causeway bordering to the left side of the supervised area. There is also a popular unsupervised beach on the left side of the breakwater. The beach is protected by the breakwaters on either side of Port Hood Island approximately 1 kilometre offshore. If you're around in the evening, you'll delight in the idyllic sunsets. Intepretive panels identify the park's geological and environmental attributes. Toilet facilities and parking are available.
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