James March | 03 October 2023
Explore Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island
Experience fresh sea air, Celtic culture and outdoor adventure on this revitalising Canadian Island
Experience fresh sea air, Celtic culture and outdoor adventure on this revitalising Canadian Island
Separated from the Canadian mainland by the Strait of Canso, Cape Breton is the wind-whipped northern tip of Nova Scotia, a land of rugged cinematic landscapes where culture runs deep and the seafood is as spectacular as the densely forested river valleys.
From the sea-sprayed coastal highway of the Cabot Trail to the fresh plates of steaming shellfish served at Baddeck Lobster Suppers, few corners of Canada are as life-affirming and invigorating as Cape Breton. Its widescreen landscapes promise wonderful outdoor adventures. It also has plenty of its own stories to tell, via the people who have lived here for generations. Meeting the island’s First Nations and Acadian (descendants of early French settlers) communities reveals some fascinating tales that offer a unique glimpse of local life.
Celebrate traditional Celtic song and dance at one of the 49 concerts held for the annual Celtic Colours International Festival
Throughout Cape Breton runs a strong Celtic tradition that dates back to the 18th century, when wave after wave of Scottish settlers first arrived. Celtic culture stayed within the diaspora, who made this their home, and it is a heritage that is still keenly felt across the island today. One of the most joyous expressions of Celtic culture found here lies within the local music scene. The Celtic Colours International Festival (6–14 October), in particular, is a raucous celebration of traditional Celtic song and dance across 49 concerts – many with a strong emphasis on Cape Breton fiddle playing – and more than 200 cultural experiences.
But Celtic culture doesn’t begin and end with the violin. To learn more about the Celtic people who travelled here and what their day-to-day lives were like, the new Interpretive Centre at the Highland Village offers a striking window into traditional homestead life, all within a restored historic community. Celtic culture has made a huge contribution to the richness of life on Cape Breton, and for anyone exploring it, these places are just the beginning.
The Cape Breton Highlands National Park offers panoramic views of the Gulf of St Lawrence
From tranquil lakeside trails to soaring mountain summits, the gorgeous terrain of this windswept island is a magnificent canvas that makes you want to head into the great outdoors. Whether it’s hiking amid the yawning river canyons of Cape Breton Highlands National Park or cycling beside the waves of the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, there are a host of revitalising activities available here to coax out your adventurous side.
The Cabot Trail, a spectacular 298km driving loop around the northern tip of the island, is one of Canada’s iconic road trips. As it approaches the western coast at Chéticamp, be sure to get out and trek the Skyline Trail, which was redesigned in late 2021. If you do so, you’ll emerge onto a spectacular headland with panoramic views of the Gulf of St Lawrence and Cape Breton Highlands National Park. If the weather behaves, kayaking the gentle waters of Bras d’Or Lake paints Cape Breton in a totally different light. So, slow down, soak in the scenery and experience Nova Scotia’s wildest corner at your own pace.
Learn about Indigenous Mi’kmaq culture with Eskasoni Cultural Journeys on Goat Island
For more than 10,000 years, the Mi’kmaq First Nation has called Nova Scotia home. They’ve seen Cape Breton change dramatically over the centuries, but it all began with them. A cultural tour of Bras d’Or Lake’s Goat Island, along a winding 2.4km trail, is the perfect opportunity for visitors to learn about not just the Mi’kmaq way of life, but the foundations of Cape Breton. Following a heritage guide from the community, who arrives dressed in full hand-made regalia, the tour makes a series of stops at recreated traditional villages around the island, helping you to gain a better grasp of Mi’kmaq history and culture.
Another historic community here is the Acadians, descendants of settlers from south-western France. Learn more about their fascinating history by heading to Chéticamp and checking out the mask displays at the Centre de la Mi-Carême, then make your way to the Hooked Rug and Homelife Museum at Les Trois Pignons cultural centre to see what the daily life of the settlers was really like.
Cape Smokey coastline
Flanked by the Gulf of St Lawrence to the west and the mighty Atlantic Ocean to the east, the verdant coasts surrounding Cape Breton produce an abundance of fine seafood. From shucking fresh oysters at island institution The Rusty Anchor to diving into a plate of scallops St Jacques (and other Acadian delicacies) at Le Gabriel Restaurant & Lounge, Cape Breton’s fresh seafood demands to be sampled. And if lobster is your thing, then there’s nowhere better to visit than the appropriately named Baddeck Lobster Suppers in the small town of Baddeck.
But all of this great food needs to be washed down, so be sure to keep an eye out for the pubs, breweries and distilleries that form part of Nova Scotia’s Good Cheer Trail. Sample myriad beer styles at Sydney’s Breton Brewing Co, sip sweet ciders at the Island Folk Cider House or enjoy a wee dram at the Glenora Distillery, home of Canada’s first single malt whisky. If you want to experience the best of Cape Breton’s gastronomy all in one place, look out for the annual KitchenFest celebrations. Otherwise, just let your nose be your guide.
For more information and travel inspiration head over to the official Nova Scotia website.
Travel as part of Discover the World's Cape Breton Explorer trip between May – October. From: £885 per person, including 6 nights’ accommodation, car rental and national historic sites pass (doesn’t include flights). This one-week trip combines the highlights of Halifax and the Cape Breton Trail. Reservations team number: 01737 214 291. Book your trip to Cape Breton with Discover the World today.
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