Cape Breton

The island of Cape Breton, on the northeast tip of Nova Scotia, is our favorite part of the province.

I've often thought that those who go to Nova Scotia but limit themselves to the Yarmouth-Halifax region don't really see the true beauty of the place.

Cape Breton is about a 4-5 hour drive from Halifax. We set out for the Cape early in the morning and, after taking the Canso Causeway onto the island and driving another hour, arrived at our destination, Baadeck, around mid-afternoon.

Baadeck is a small village on the Bras d'Or Lakes. It's where Alexander Graham Bell and his family spent their summers, so of course there's an excellent Bell Museum located here.

We spent two nights in Baadeck. All the while we were there we debated whether to drive the Cabot Trail, surely one of the most scenic drives anywhere, or give in to defeat and head on to Prince Edward Island. The weather just wasn't cooperating: clouds, misty rain, chilly temps. We'd already driven this trail three or four times over the years, so I said if we didn't drive it this time, that would be OK with me. Ken agreed.

Then the morning of the perhaps-drive arrived, clouds and all, and Ken said, "Let's do it. Maybe we'll get some clearing along the route."

I was glad he suggested that, because it turned out to be a beautiful drive. The clouds did lift, and the coastline showed us its stunning beauty. We also spotted some patches of snow when we reached the summit of the island; this was a surprise since it was late May and the maximum elevation was perhaps 500 metres.

This (below) is my favorite view along the Cabot Trail. I'd waited for this view ever since arriving in Nova Scotia several days earlier. Once you see this area of the province, you understand how Nova Scotia which means "New Scotland," got its name.

By the way, the east coast of Cape Breton is heavily Gaelic, and to this day you still see place signs in both English and Gaelic. (Be sure to click on the link here to see a beautiful video of the Gaelic culture of Nova Scotia.)

The west coast of the island, though, is heavily French, so Gaelic gives way to French on the road signs.

The drive along the entire Cabot Trail, with occasions stops for photos and a stop for lunch, takes five hours.

We ended up back in Baadeck and headed immediately to the mainland again. We would catch the ferry to Prince Edward Island early the next mornining.