Cape Breton Highlands
Around Cape Breton Highlands
Photo: WabbitWanderer from London, Canada · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Nova Scotia · 24k people
Cape Breton Highlands
“Ceilidh Country”
Where highland spirit meets the Atlantic.
Highland greenOcean blueGolden sunset
Welcome to the Cape Breton Highlands! Whether you're here for the music, the trails, or just to soak in the views, you'll find a warm community that loves to share its home. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and get ready to tap your feet.
Clubs for Cape Breton Highlands
No clubs for Cape Breton Highlands yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Cape Breton Highlands. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Cape Breton Highlands. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Cape Breton Highlands National Park Stunning coastal and mountain scenery with hiking trails.
- Alexander Graham Bell Museum Dedicated to Bell's life and inventions in Baddeck.
- Highland Village Museum A living history site showcasing Gaelic culture in Iona.
- St. Ann's Gaelic College Center for Gaelic language, music, and culture.
- Cabot Trail Scenic highway circling the northern tip of Cape Breton.
- Outdoors Hike the Skyline Trail
- Outdoors Kayak on Bras d'Or Lake
- With kids Visiting the Alexander Graham Bell Museum
- With kids Exploring the Cape Breton Highlands National Park
- Evenings Live fiddle music at local pubs
- Evenings Ceilidh dances
- Locals love Ceilidh halls
- Locals love Fishing wharves
Through the year
- Celtic Colours International Festival October A island-wide celebration of Celtic music and culture.
- Cabot Trail Relay Race May A team relay race along the Cabot Trail.
- Baddeck Regatta July Sailing races and festivities on Bras d'Or Lake.
- Inverness County Exhibition August A traditional fall fair with agricultural exhibits and midway.
- Highland Village's 'A Day in the Life' Summer Living history demonstrations at the Highland Village Museum.
A maritime climate with mild summers and snowy winters. The best time to be out is from June to September. Best: Summer (July-August) is warm and sunny, perfect for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “ceilidh”
- A musical gathering or party
- “b'y”
- Friend or buddy (from 'boy')
- “the Trail”
- The Cabot Trail
- “the Strait”
- The Strait of Canso
Getaways
- Antigonish Home to St. Francis Xavier University and a lively town centre.
- Cape Breton (Sydney area) Visit the Fortress of Louisbourg and the Sydney waterfront.
- New Glasgow Shopping, dining, and the Abercrombie waterfront.
Local flavour
Teams
- Port Hawkesbury Strait Pirates Maritime Hockey League
Also rooting for Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL), Montreal Canadiens (NHL), Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Eat and drink
- Lobster Fresh Atlantic lobster, often boiled on the wharf or in a chowder.
- Oatcakes Traditional Scottish-style oatcakes, a staple in Cape Breton homes.
- Seafood chowder Creamy chowder with local haddock, scallops, and lobster.
- Cape Breton pork pie A spiced pork pie often served at Christmas and community gatherings.
Where people go
- Ceilidh halls Community halls where traditional fiddle music and step dancing are performed.
- Fishing wharves Working wharves in villages like Ingonish and Port Hood where boats unload catches.
- Cabot Trail Scenic highway winding through the highlands and along the coast.
- Tartan shops Shops selling Scottish tartans and heritage items, reflecting the region's Gaelic roots.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaAntigonishNova ScotiaWhere the sea meets the highlands, with a warm Scottish and Acadian welcome.Cape BretonNova ScotiaWhere the fiddle meets the tideNew GlasgowNova ScotiaWhere the sea meets the highlands and the pizza is legendary.Kings CountyPrince Edward IslandWhere the red soil meets the sea.Queens CountyPrince Edward IslandRed soil, green fields, and the sea's whisperCharlottetownPrince Edward IslandThe little city that started a nationTruroNova ScotiaTides, trails, and true Maritime charmSummersidePrince Edward IslandA harbour town with red soil and warm hearts
Rural Inverness and Victoria, NS. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.