Alexander Graham Bell once said, “I have travelled around the globe. I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies, the Andes, the Alps and the Highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all.”
I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical of this quote upon first reading it. I mean, the Rockies, the Alps, the Scottish Highlands… those are all pretty impressive and beautiful things. Could a sparsely-populated island in the Canadian Maritimes really compare?
Well, the truth is that it kind of can.
When my family found out we were stopping in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on our last shore day of a cruise, we were a bit perplexed. Everything I was reading said there wasn’t much to see/do in Sydney apart from a giant fiddle and some historic houses. How would we fill 8 hours?
The trick, we discovered, is to get out of Sydney and explore the rest of Cape Breton Island. Because, as Bell asserted, the beauty of this place will surprise you.
We rented a car and took to the famous Cabot Trail, a scenic route that skirts the coastline of Cape Breton Island and takes you through Cape Breton Highlands National Park. We didn’t have time to drive the whole trail since we had a ship to catch, but we did drive a few hours into the Cape Breton wilderness.
At our halfway point, we stopped in a sleepy little fishing village that I have now dubbed The Prettiest Place You’ve Never Heard Of.
This is Margaree Harbour.
The Wikipedia page for this town consists of one sentence; the town itself consists of a small collection of houses and cottages; and the only living things we saw at the harbor were sea birds.
On such a warm, sun-kissed day, Margaree Harbour absolutely took my breath away.
I now understand completely what Alexander Graham Bell meant.
It just goes to show you that sometimes it’s the unexpected places that end up sneaking up on you to steal your heart.
——
What do you think? Can Cape Breton compete with those other scenic places?
It’s one of the prettiest places that I have ever been. We spent 5 nights in nearby Baddeck a few years ago and loved it!!
Lisa Goodmurphy recently posted..A Stroll Around Parliament Hill in Ottawa
We stopped briefly in Baddeck on our way up the Cabot Trail. It seemed like a cool town!
I agree it can compare
you should see it in the Fall
Oh my gosh, I can’t even imagine how gorgeous it must be when all the leaves are changing! I will definitely have to come back in the fall sometime.
You’re absolutely right about visiting Cape Breton in the fall. It. Was. Amazing.
When I was planning my overland trip from North America to the Chilean Patagonia, I thought to start from Alaska and make my way down. Because of timing reasons, I chose instead to go all the way to the northermost part of CB, Meat Cove, and make my way down.
Best decision ever. Here’s where my CB leg of the trip started: http://unwireme.com/part-i-driving-cape-breton-nova-scotia-world-top-10-scenic-drive/
If you ever go to Margaree, you have to stop by The Dancing Goat. The have the best soups and delicious freshly-baked cinammon rolls. Great sandwiches too.
If I had gobs of money, I’d buy me a little cottage in CB and live there during the fall months.
Good post!
-Rich
Rich Polanco recently posted..How to Overcome The #1 Fear a New Entrepreneur Will Face
A fall cottage in Cape Breton would be amazing!
And we actually did notice the Dancing Goat, but didn’t have time to stop in.
Went there 27 years ago,and never forgot it , Five years ago we returned to buy a cottage on the Cabot Trail. Now every summer this is our home – the beauty of this place is unmatched, there are gems all over this island-beautiful hidden beaches and small harbor towns, the national park and rolling interior farmlands. The Margaree area is our special summer place. And if you are a music lover, it has the the added bonus of having some of the best traditional music in the world. The people, the dancing, warm-enough water to swim and a rich musical night life. There is nothing not to love about Cape Breton, wild, remote and beautiful!
where at in margare I am from there my mom and dad still live there on the Cabot trail.
I have to find more about this area. Have to confess I don’t know a lot about it. A cruise seems like the perfect way to visit the Canadian Maritimes.
Ruth (Tanama Tales) recently posted..Ostriches are not as friendly as you think
I didn’t know much about this part of the world, either, and was pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed it.
@Ruth: If you ever do a cruise up to Canada, you HAVE TO visit Quebec City. I saw cruise ships docking there.
Best “European” city in the American continent!
-Rich
Rich Polanco recently posted..How to Overcome The #1 Fear a New Entrepreneur Will Face
Being from Nova Scotia, I’m biased, but I’ve been to a lot of beautiful places in this world and Cape Breton (and Nova Scotia) can stand up there with the rest of them.
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — June 7th, 2012 — Traveling Taste Buds
You’re allowed to be biased; you come from a beautiful province! I’d really love to go back and see more of it.
Yup! I agree. Although Guatemala will give it run for it’s money (google Lake Atitlan).
-Rich
Rich Polanco recently posted..Visiting El Paredon Beach, Guatemala’s Surfing Capital
You’re quite right about the beauty and there is some astounding beach glass to be found on the some of the shores of Cape Breton. It’s a great place to visit in October during the Celtic Colours music festival. Incredible!
Colleen Friesen recently posted..Guest Post – Writing Advice from David Hochman
Ooo a Celtic music festival sounds like tons of fun!
I love discovering places that I had no idea would be beautiful or that I would fall in love with. Gorgeous pics!
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures recently posted..Andi’s Pick: Hard Rock Hotel, Macau
It’s always a great feeling, isn’t it? One of the things I love most about travel!
Wow! Such a beautiful scenery! Thanks for sharing the story and photos!
memographer recently posted..EuroTrip 2012: Germany and Austria
You are most welcome! Glad you liked the post.
Looks beautiful, to me it’s the secret of the location that makes it all the more magical!
Heathers Harmony recently posted..Everything you want & need to know about attending TBEX!
Oh, I totally agree! If we hadn’t stumbled upon it accidentally, it wouldn’t have been as special.
Cape Breton is one of my favourite places in the world! The fiddle tunes, the people, the scenery, oh my… It’s damn pretty.
Lori Henry recently posted..Dancing Through History excerpt – Throat Singing
It’s gorgeous. (And the sunny weather definitely helped!)
I’ve been here before! When I was younger I had an international choir festival in Sydney, Nova Scotia and we followed the same trail. It IS breathtaking. I love Nova Scotia though with all its coastal beauty. I need to head back East sometime soon!
Chrystal McKay recently posted..A Farewell Moroccan Feast
The coastlines and lakes and all the TREES! It certainly is beautiful.
I was born in Cape Breton yet never think of it as the prettiest place, maybe because tourists see it in the summer but I know what its like in the winter.
Ayngelina recently posted..My mother the assassin
Hahaha, totally understandable! I’m sure I’d have a different attitude, too, if I had grown up there.
I too grew up there and I have travelled the world but there is no where in the world as BEAUTIFUL as MARGAREE HARBOUR even in the middle of winter!!!!!!
It sure is amazing!!
Blue sky puffy white clouds and sparkling blue/green sea on white landscape can be just as beautiful
as summer or fall! Cape Breton is beautiful all year long! There are stormy days all over the world!
I definitely need to go back!
That’s a big sky…
Kinda eerie how much it looks like Orkney. And for that reason, I’m totally sold.
Mikeachim recently posted..10 Ways To Start A Story
Big sky indeed. One of the reasons why I loved it so much, I think!
Having spend every summer vacation of my life here (my Dad was born in Ingonish, Cape Breton), it was the only choice for a honeymoon destination when my hubby and I got married. After returning to Ontario at the end of the trip, my husband agreed with my feelings about this place: we HAVE TO return! Well, 5 years after that trip, we handed in our resignations, packed our belongings and moved east. We’ve been living a dream here in Ingonish, Cape Breton for the past 12 years now! Do we miss the crazy, noisy, hectic, crowded city life? NO WAY! We fall asleep to the sound of the surf each night and wake to a postcard-perfect view of the coast every morning. If you want to see more reasons why it’s easy to fall in love with Cape Breton Island, visit this website: http://www.capebretonstockphotography.com . And come play on OUR island!!
What an awesome story, Lori! I can definitely understand the appeal of dropping everything and moving to Cape Breton. Do you still love it as much in the winter?
I love unexpected places like this! Your pictures are beautiful and depict a lovely town that looks so peaceful. Makes me want to visit!
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Picturesque Costa Brava
It’s definitely convinced me that I need to spend more time in Cape Breton! Such an unexpectedly pretty part of the world.
I can’t agree with “it outrivals them all” statement. Yes it is beautiful, but you can’t compare with Rockies as it totally different landscape.
Vi recently posted..Weekly Travel Photo. Lake O’Hara
Yeah, it definitely isn’t snow-capped mountains. But it IS very beautiful!
Yes, I don’t want to argue about beauty. East of Canada is on my list to visit.
Vi recently posted..What’s on in Sydney in June, 2012
I’ve been to Nova Scotia, but not to Cape Breton. My parents were just there a couple months ago, drove the cabot trail. My mom said it was beautiful, definitely another reason (of many) for me to go back to Nova Scotia.
Alouise recently posted..A Traveler’s Dilemma – In Search of Good Shoes
After having been there so briefly, I definitely want to go back, too!
Wow Amanda, stunning photos! I’ve always wanted to check out Nova Scotia (mainly for the Viking myths and scenery) but now this is added on my list! I’ll definitely have to check it out while back stateside, looks like the most peaceful place ever!
Very pretty and very peaceful indeed!
The body of water at the mouth of the river is Margaree Harbour on the right side but the pics are of the Belle Cote side to be exact! Walk 4 minutes up that beach and climb a cliff and that’s my mom’s, so I’d know
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
I meant left side lol
What a beautiful place! I have indeed never heard of it! The 3rd photo from the bottom, with those deep blue water and gorgeous mountains captivated me. Now I want to go there too!
Ayelet – All Colores recently posted..Jerusalem Ice Festival: Jerusalem Made of Ice
I had never heard of it either before this trip! I mean I vaguely knew of Cape Breton Island, but I had no clue it would hold this kind of prettiness!
Oh my gosh! This is my place! This is my home! You were taking pictures right outside of ‘my’ beach! When I’m home, that’s where I go, that’s where I breathe and take in all of the gorgeous beauty God has blessed me to grow up with!
I’m so honored that you wrote this and I love that Margaree Harbour, Cape Breton stole a piece of your heart!
Please, visit us again and if you do, write me up, I’ll show you the hidden nooks of our place!
Lucky you to live in such a beautiful place!
So glad you took the road ‘less traveled’ and found Margaree Harbour. I have spent summers there for almost 15 years, and still become speechless at first sight of the harbor, where the Margaree River flows into the sea. FYI, the River is the border between the Acadian French settlements in the North of Cape Breton and the Scottish villages in the South. Most of your photos look upon the small village of Belle Cote, which is on the French side, with the ships berthed in the Belle Cote Harbor. After visitors breakfast or lunch at the Dancing Goat, try dinner and Tuesday music at the Island Sunset Resort, pictured in your 7th photo – the long grey building on the water. http://www.islandsunset.com The Cape Breton fiddlers are unreal!!
Thanks for the suggestions! It certainly is a gorgeous spot.
Home is where the heart is!!! I have lived in the Rocky Mountains for 30 yrs & Belle Cote will always be where my heart is!! In my teenage years – I would take my books & study at the beach (both Belle Cote & Margaree Harbour side) or even just take a leisurely walk to the beach to watch the sun set! Truly breathtaking and cherished memories! Thank you for capturing my childhood memories!!!
You are very very welcome! Glad I could bring back some good memories.
I wanted to find a new photo of Margaree for my desktop and clicking on your blog made me smile! My cottage is diagonal to the Lawrences General Store where I spent every summer of my childhood. To see it called the ‘Prettiest Place You’ve Never Heard Of’ is great! Except people need to hear about it
Also, beautiful photos!
Though maybe it’s better if it’s kept a bit of a secret.
It’s definitely a beautiful place, but i’ll take the Andes every time
Mountains hold a special place in my heart, too.
Cape Breton definitely seems like it can compete with all those other places! Gorgeous photos!
Vicky recently posted..Three Months To Go!
It’s really really pretty in that rugged coastal kind of way.
I’m also a born and raised Cape Bretoner. It is definitely a hidden wonder. I’ve travelled a bit myself, but Cape Breton will always be my #1. I’m very glad that year after year, people from far and wide get the chance to expierence our culture and land. We often forget to stop and take a look around us, but when we do, we remember why we can’t stay away for long.
You’ll have to come back and enjoy the rest of the island! St. Peter’s, Baddeck, Mabou, etc. – all the villages are spectacular in thier own right! Not to mention the house parties
It’s awesome to hear from locals how much they love their home. Based on my brief visit, I can definitely understand why!
Shhhhh…..everyone will find out!!! We came in 94 and ‘discovered’ the area by accident, (we came inland because of fog along the coast), and now we are one.
However, being Canucks, we don’t brag about it. (:->) What would happen if everyone knew!!!!?????
You’re right – it needs to be kept somewhat secret!