Our first overnight stop in Nova Scotia was Pictou. Pictou is a pretty town which makes much of its Scottish heritage, with shops selling tartans, celtic design jewellery etc. It has quite a few sandstone buildings and they would look quite at home in any Scottish town. In the morning we visited the local museum. It is centred around a locally built replica of the Hector, the ship on which the first 200 Highlanders arrived in Pictou in 1773.
From Pictou we drove along the old highway to Port Hastings and onto Cape Breton Island.
Although many of the road signs are in Gaelic as well as English, and there is a Gaelic College, I don't think it is widely spoken. However the music tradition is very strong and every tourist office told us where to go to hear the music!
We stayed in Cheticamp where we were back among the Acadians. The waitresses in the restaurant spoke French amongst themselves. The meal was nice although the Acadian dish, Chiard would pass for a good Irish stew.
Today we have driven along the Cabot Trail, a scenic road around the island, much of it hugging the coast and offering spectacular views of the rugged coast. As there was very little traffic it was not difficult to stop at the "lookoffs".
Inland whole hillsides were in full autumn colours. We walked along a trail through an old growth sugar maple forest. Although the trees are over 350 years old, they are not huge. With such slow growth, I suppose it is not surprising that in other areas evidence of the 1947 fire is still visible.
We were caught in 2 "moose jams". I really admire the people who can spot them while driving. I find them hard to see even when I know they are there.
From Pictou we drove along the old highway to Port Hastings and onto Cape Breton Island.
Although many of the road signs are in Gaelic as well as English, and there is a Gaelic College, I don't think it is widely spoken. However the music tradition is very strong and every tourist office told us where to go to hear the music!
We stayed in Cheticamp where we were back among the Acadians. The waitresses in the restaurant spoke French amongst themselves. The meal was nice although the Acadian dish, Chiard would pass for a good Irish stew.
Today we have driven along the Cabot Trail, a scenic road around the island, much of it hugging the coast and offering spectacular views of the rugged coast. As there was very little traffic it was not difficult to stop at the "lookoffs".
Inland whole hillsides were in full autumn colours. We walked along a trail through an old growth sugar maple forest. Although the trees are over 350 years old, they are not huge. With such slow growth, I suppose it is not surprising that in other areas evidence of the 1947 fire is still visible.
We were caught in 2 "moose jams". I really admire the people who can spot them while driving. I find them hard to see even when I know they are there.
"Scottish" houses in Pictou
Along the Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Highland National Park
Another view along the Cabot Trail
Autumn colours, Nova Scotia
Moose on Cape Breton Island
Halloween decorations in the Acadian Restaurant, Cheticamp
The Cabot trail looks spectacular. I can understand why you find the moose hard to see.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise that they are so well camouflaged amongst the trees.
Happy Halloween (although I'm not sure when it is). I think that Thanksgiving is coming up to. I'm sure that will provide a great opportunity to same local produce & fare.
Jenny
Love those autumn colours! Or should I say "fall"?
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