Canada

Welcome to My Island!

Cape Breton Island is located on the east coast of Canada. It is a part of the province of Nova Scotia, which means “New Scotland”. Nova Scotia is part of the Maritime Provinces of Canada together with Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

This map gives a better idea of the location. If you look for the red dot, that is my home town (North Sydney). You can also see the two ferries heading out from the island. North Sydney is the location where you get the ferry to Newfoundland and Labrador.

The “motto” of the island is Ciad Mile Failte which is gaelic for One Hundred Thousand Welcomes. That is the basic attitude of the people from the island. They are very friendly and welcome visitors with open arms. It’s not uncommon to be walking down the street in Cape Breton and end up in conversations with people you’ve never even met. Nor is it rare to hear “What’s yer father’s name?!”. It’s a small island that becomes a part of you as you grow up there.. The scenery of the island is breathtaking.. it’s among some of the top travel destinations in he world for scenery. The Cabot Trail which takes you around the Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a sight to behold. It is nature at it’s finest!

Just one of many examples..

I have travelled, lived in small towns, other islands, and big cities in both Canada and Europe. No matter where I go, no matter where I lay my head.. Cape Breton is my home. It’s a part of me and I don’t think anyone could understand it unless they grew up there themselves. As Capers, we grow up in these small towns, dreaming of bigger and better things and the minute we are old enough we’re out of there. We move on, see the world.. then spend all our time dreaming of home.

The culture is largely celtic. Many grandparents still speak Gaelic fluently and there is also a Gaelic College on the island. Many people from the generations before mine worked in the industries that used to keep Cape Breton alive.. Mining and Fishing. This isn’t the case anymore though, for the most part these industries are being shut down and Cape Breton is becoming a tourist and retirement destination.

The culture, the people, the history, the land and the sea.. it all plays a part in what makes this place so magical. Our heritage is represented in our Island Tartan and songs.

BLACK for the wealth of our coal mines
GREY for our Cape Breton steel
GREEN for our lofty mountains, our valleys and our fields
GOLD for the golden sunsets

Well.. that’s my island. I hope you enjoyed reading about it and perhaps will consider visiting sometime. You won’t be disappointed!