Bras d’Or & Its Heartland

On leaving the City of Sydney, we soon leave the Trans Canada Highway to tour along the scenic shoreline of the Bras d’ Or Lakes, called by many Canada’s Inland Sea,passing through the historic communities of Boisdale, Christmas Island and Iona (location of the

Nova Scotia Highland Village Museum - a recreation of a typical displaced Scottish Highlander’s homestead, circa 1800's - a visit to this historic interesting site may be included if you wish.

Little Narrows Ferry

This itinerary takes you through the scenic center of Cape Breton Island, touring to Estmere and then on to the Little Narrows Ferry, our gateway to the Trans Canada Highway,

Baddeck

And our brief stop at Baddeck Village with time for a walk along the waterfrontThen it is, back to Sydney, and your cruise ship,

But first with photo op stops at both Saint Ann’s & Bras d’ Or look-off’s found on Kelly’s Mountain.

Please note with this itinerary can add one hour +/- visits to both the Nova Scotia Highland Village

Highland Village Museum - Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

A Gaelic welcome to the "Highland Heart of Nova Scotia" awaits you in Iona, Cape Breton Island. Experience Nova Scotia's Gaelic culture at one of many community events or at the Highland Village outdoor pioneer museum. View some of the most breathtaking scenery that this Province has to offer on the shores of the mighty Bras d'Or. The Iona Peninsula is well worth the visit.

The Iona Peninsula is located in the centre of Cape Breton Island, almost completely surrounded by the magnificent Bras d'Or Lakes - Canada's Only Inland Sea. The Bras d'Or is a 1,165 km2 (450 sq. mi.) basin that is one of the finest sailing and boating venues in the world. They separate Cape Breton's Highlands and Lowlands. The Bras d'Or coastline abounds with wildlife and is particularly noted as a breeding area of the magnificent bald eagle.

A living history museum and cultural centre that presents, interprets and celebrates Gaelic Nova Scotia. During the 1700s and 1800s, thousands of Gaelic speaking emigrants from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland settled in eastern Nova Scotia. The Highland Village Museum follows the rural experience of these early settlers, and their descendants, on a journey into the early years of the twentieth century. The site features Gaelic language and related cultural activities, traditional crafts and chores, costumed animators, farm animals, thousands of artifacts and 11 period buildings.

Let the Highland Village Museum/An Clachan Gàidhealach make Nova Scotia's Scottish Gaelic culture a part of your group's Cape Breton experience. Scottish traditions and demonstrations are part of daily life at the village. The arts of weaving, quilting, rug hooking,.and others are showcased throughout the Village.

Alexander Graham Bell Museum

This national historic site communicates the story of Alexander Graham Bell's wide ranging interests and inventive work, much of it undertaken here at Baddeck, Nova Scotia.  The site's 10 hectares overlook Baddeck Bay, on Bras d' Or Lake, and Beinn Bhreagh, Bell's summer home, where Bell pursued much of his scientific work.  The museum commemorates and interprets the work of Alexander Graham Bell and his associates. The exhibit complex functions as a centre for the study of Bell's scientific and humanitarian work as illustrated by the artifacts and documents preserved there. 

This Excursion will take about 4 hours +/-. Stops for lunch (on own) and at Highland Village would about one +/- for each. Excursion is fully narrated.