North Shore

Take a drive along Antigonish County’s North Shore (via Highway 337 and Highway 245), where coastal cliffs fall into the sea and fishing remains a large part of everyday life. Stop at any of the fishing ports along the way, to experience first-hand, daily life by the sea. Take the time to savour the panoramic views overlooking Antigonish Harbour, St. George’s Bay and the Northumberland Strait. The Antigonish North Shore Lookoffs provide safe places to stop and stretch along the way, while offering interpretive panels explaining the history and culture of the area. Boat ramps are accessible at the following locations: [Cribbons Point], [Ballantynes Cove] and [Arisaig]. Accommodations are available at Lakevale, Cribbons Point and Malignant Cove. Public C@P sites are located in Lakevale and Maryvale.

Departing from Antigonish and travelling along Highway 337, visit the Antigonish Harbour Wildlife Management Area and take a walk through this wildlife sanctuary via the Antigonish Landing Trail. View the interpretive panels which describe the local flora and fauna. The Fairmont Ridge Hiking Trail offers six different loops over hillside terrain, with each offering a different experience. A number of lookoffs offer views of Antigonish Harbour and the coast of St. Georges Bay. Mahoney’s Beach, a part of the IBA Pomquet Beach Region offers another opportunity to view the natural habitat of this area. The Mahoneys Beach Trail meanders along the shoreline, creating a unique opportunity to view the wildlife native to this coastal area.

One can view artifacts and obtain information on the heritage and culture of the area at the Cape George Heritage School Museum. Stop at the Ballantyne’s Cove Marina and visit the Ballantyne’s Cove Bluefin Tuna Interpretive Centre to learn more about tuna and the history of tuna fishing. View the antique ‘Fresnel Lamp’ which is an exact replica of the one that once belonged in the lighthouse. Visit the Cape George Day Park and the Cape George Lighthouse and interpretive panels, at Cape George Point, from where Cape Breton Island and Prince Edward Island can be seen in the distance. From any of these sites you can access the Cape George Hiking Trails.
If you travel west on Highway 245, from Malignant Cove, along the Northumberland Strait, to the community of Arisaig, you can enjoy a picnic at the Arisaig Provincial Park, hike along the Arisaig Provincial Park Trails, or hunt for fossils along the Arisaig Sea Cliffs. Stop at the Cairn commemorating the first settlement of Catholic Highlanders in Antigonish County and their first church.

Musique Royale – A festival of music in historic settings

  • If you are visiting our region on Mother’s Day, we invite you to savour one of our favorite regional delicacies at the ‘Arisaig Lobster Dinner’, which is held annually at the Arisaig Parish Community Centre in Arisaig.
  • If you are visiting our region on Canada Day, we invite you to join us for our ‘Canada Day Celebration’ at the Mini-Trail Community Centre in Lakevale.
  • If you are visiting our region on the last Saturday of August, we invite you to join us in the ‘Cape George Hike-a-thon’, an organized hike along the Cape George Hiking Trails.
  • If you are visiting our region on the first Sunday of November, we invite you to join us at the ‘Arisaig Christmas Bazaar’ at the Arisaig Parish Community Centre, featuring local arts and crafts, a luncheon, draws, a silent auction and a host of other activities sure to please one and all.
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