Life in Cape Breton is always full of breathtaking sights and endless adventure.
As photographers and explorers, there is simply a never-ending list of things to see and do, along with new unique beauty in every season.
At the moment as pandemic regulations are still in place, you may find yourself unable to visit our gem of an Island, or if you live in Nova Scotia, you may find yourself planning a staycation summer - That is why we have made a list of beautiful things to look forward to and inspire you to visit no matter what time of year it is safe for you to do so again.
Here is our home, through our lens in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Dream, enjoy, and we hope to see you out exploring the Island someday soon.
1. Spring - Setting Day in Little Judique
We love joining in on the anticipation of setting day, when the lobster fishing season begins and the hard working fishermen and women haul their traps out to set. Wishing all a safe and successful season ahead!
2. Spring - Whycocomagh Look-Off
Cape Breton Island is filled with so many great multipurpose and accessible trails. This look-off above Whycocomagh shows off the village, Skye Mountain to the right, and the Head of the Bras d’Or Lake below. This is one of our favourite spots to quickly enjoy lunch with a view!
It is part of The Great Trail.
3. Spring - Biking the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail
Stretching from the causeway all the way up to Inverness, this 92km trail is one of the best ways to experience Cape Breton’s west coast. So far we have walked, biked, ran, skied, four wheeled, and snowmobiled this trail… next up will have to be horseback riding!
Have you explored this trail before?
4. Spring - Camping on the Coast
One of the best parts about camping on Cape Breton is that you are never far from the water or a stunning sunset! We have had so many wonderful evenings where we last minute decided to go camping, like this night spent on our neighbours property by the sea.
Some of our favourite campgrounds that we have stayed at that you could enjoy too, include: Meat Cove, Fishing Cove (backcountry), Live Life in Tents, Broad Cove, Lake O’Law
5. Summer - Bagpiper on the Skyline Trail
Each year as part of the island-wide Celtic music festival “KitchenFest”, a bagpiper is sent to a different location around the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. In 2018 we were fortunate enough to have Rankin MacInnis hike and play on the Skyline Trail. This is one of our favourite pictures from our works because of its obvious iconic-ness.
Where is the coolest place you have seen a bagpiper around Nova Scotia?
6. Summer - Canoeing by the Keltic Quay
Strap on your lifejackets and go for a paddle on the Bras d’Or Lakes! We love canoeing and kayaking this beautiful inland sea. In the Whycocomagh Bay section you can witness some incredibly still waters from boat, or from shore at the Keltic Quay Cottages. There has been a few mornings now that we have enjoyed a cup of coffee out on the water watching the sun rise over the surrounding mountains.
7. Summer - Fortress of Louisbourg
Wandering through this incredible national historic sight, we love enjoying homemade bread while watching reenactments, followed by hiking the lighthouse trail nearby. A bucket list item for us is to camp inside the fortress someday!
8. Summer - Sunset at Archers Edge
A night under the stars in a dome by the ocean. If you’re looking to have an extra special glamping experience here on Cape Breton we highly recommend Archers Edge.
9. Summer - Celtic Music Interpretive Centre
Located right in Judique and not far from Archers Edge, is Nova Scotia’s Official Celtic Music Centre. A hub for information, education, research and performance, this fun building offers a lively and unforgettable experience to all its visitors! We particularly love that they hold Sunday ceilidhs all year long. Add it to your list once we can travel, dance, and sing together again!
10. Summer - Port Hood
Hands up if you have enjoyed the warm waters of Port Hood Beach followed by a stroll along the boardwalk with an ice cream cone in hand. Ohh how we can’t wait for those days ahead.
11. Summer - Sunday Mornings at the Coal Mines
Fishing boats docked.. because as they say, “No boats on Sundays”
12. Summer - Skyline Trail at Sunset
Where the mountains meet the sea. Iconic for a reason, we love living in a place that this is what people picture when they hear we are from Cape Breton.
*Taken by drone with Parks Canada permit & supervision*
13. Summer - Cheticamp Gypsum Mine
When mid summer rolls around the days here are HOT. Good thing there’s always a fun place to take a refreshing dip.
14. Summer - Cape Mabou Highlands Hiking Trail
Less than a half hour hike up to this look-off!? What’s not to love about that. Pictured here is the view from Fair Alistair’s Mountain overlooking the Mabou Coal Mines. It is just one of the 17 trails for this area, all part of the Nature Trust of Nova Scotia.
15. Summer - Coastal Views
Sometimes while out for a drive we love to just fly the drone to see what the coastline looks like from below. On this particular day while up in the Highlands (but outside of the National Park) we were rewarded with this incredibly tropical view.
16. Summer - Waterfalls
Nova Scotia has too many awesome waterfalls to count! While we can’t tell you this specific spot because its a very tricky one to get to,
here are our top 5 favourite waterfalls in Cape Breton for you to explore next:
1. North River Falls 2. Beualch Ban Falls 3. Myles Doyle Falls 4. MacIntosh Brook Falls 5. Humes River Falls
17. Summer - Whales off the Coast of Cheticamp
Like most of our photos, this shot was also completely unplanned. While enjoying an afternoon on Cheticamp Island with friends we decided to fly the drone to get an aerial view of Cheticamp. All of a sudden we saw splashes in the water in the distance right near where our drone was. We angled the camera down and witnessed these pilot whales frolicking by. An experience we will never forget.
18. Summer - Mornings in Mabou
Fun fact : Skylar’s parents own a bakery in Mabou, Helen’s Bakery, and when working there we have witnessed many gorgeous mornings like this. Mabou is such a special place.
19. Fall - Cape Clear
And just like that, summer rolls into fall and the leaves go from vibrant green to orange, crimson and gold. Have you visited Cape Clear before? If so, what season did you witness its beauty in?
20. Fall - Mica Hill
This is a great family trail! It offers dramatic views of the Aspy fault, beautiful red tinged taiga surroundings, and a magical outcrop of quartz and mica at the end. A great learning experience on mica for all as well! Visit in fall for an extra dose of colour.
21. Fall - Driving Through Autumn Roads
You don’t always need to go on a big hike to view fall foliage, oftentimes it comes out to greet you in your everyday travels.
22. Fall - Meat Cove
Prime week to experience fall colours? We always recommend Thanksgiving weekend/week. Have you traveled to Meat Cove before? It often feels like you’re journeying to the edge of the world. Hike the Meat Cove Mountain Trail or Little Grassy trail to see the area from a new perspective.
23. Fall - Tenerife Peak
We captured this shot up on the peak, looking down at the coloured forest below. It made for a wall of colour to leap against.
24. Fall - Beulach Ban Falls
Located in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, we love that you can view this waterfall from one of the valley lookoffs winding down the mountain, or drive right up to it at the base of the mountain.
25. Winter - Judique Ice Rink
It doesn’t get more Canadian than siblings having hockey practice on an outdoor community rink. Followed by hot chocolate in a wood fired warming hut? Count us in!
26. Winter - Kissing Moose
When traveling the Cabot Trail, always keep an eye out for wildlife. We have spotted so many kinds of wildlife over the years but this image is definitely one of our favourites that we’ve captured. Two young moose giving each other a loving kiss with Mama moose hanging out nearby.
27. Winter - Judique Sunset
We never get tired of taking in a sunset together. Even in winter the Celtic Shores Coastal Trail shines.
28. Winter - Sunset Kisses
Our border collie Indie goes everywhere with us, and one of the best parts about our trails in Cape Breton is that with the exception of the Skyline Trail, all are dog friendly!
29. Winter - Road Trip through the Highlands
Why stop road tripping after summer and fall!? Bundle up, throw on some fiddle tunes and come embrace winter! This shot was taken on New Years Eve at the top of French Mountain. The sky showed off in a dance of colour for the final day of the year.
30. Winter - Sunset on Wilkie Sugar Loaf It’s easy to see why our highlands are a winter adventurers paradise. From snowshoeing, skiing, skating, fat biking, and so much more - we can’t wait to see this area grow and be sought out for it’s winter splendor.
That’s a wrap! Thank you for following along. We hope you enjoyed our adventure filled visual tour through the seasons of Cape Breton and inspired you to get out and explore once times are safer. Feel free to send us a message if you have any questions on places or experiences. Sending love from our home to yours!