Travel

Baddeck: The inland town that defines Cape Breton Island

Episode 11

Nova Scotia may have 13,000 kilometres of coastline but this inland town is a destination not to be missed

  • Published Sep 24, 2024
  • Updated Oct 08
Located in northeastern Nova Scotia, Baddeck is often described as being the beginning and the end of the famous Cabot Trail despite it being situated far away from the trail's iconic coastal views. (Photo: Liz Beatty)
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Nova Scotia is a province home to some amazing sights: the Bay of Fundy, Halifax, and of course, anywhere along Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail. But in a province with 13,000 kilometres of coastline where you are never more than 50 km away from the ocean, there is a town nowhere near the Atlantic Ocean drawing crowds from across the globe. Award-winning musicians, dancers, international yachters, world-class inventors and more have all flocked to this one area for a long time. 

Located on the shores of Bras d’Or Lake estuary is Baddeck, a small village situated in the heart of Cape Breton – so small that Cabot Trail-bound travellers might easily overlook it as they head to Cape Breton’s famous and fabulous ocean vistas; but that would be a huge mistake. 

We would argue that Baddeck is the ideal home base for exploring the famed coastal trail and understanding what makes this whole region so special.

Special thanks to James Gray for our theme song music. 

Maskill’s Harbour Lighthouse is a National Historic Site on the Bras d’Or Lake estuary. (Photo: Liz Beatty)
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Jacinta McKinnon joins the kitchen party with her fiddle onboard the Sailing CBI yacht in Baddeck Harbour on the Bras d’Or Lake estuary. (Photo: Liz Beatty)
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Sailing the estuary off Baddeck with Paul Jamieson and CBI sailing. (Photo: Liz Beatty)
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Jacinta McKinnon, who grew up in the Maskill’s Harbour lighthouse with her father and mother who were the lighthouse keepers. (Photo: Liz Beatty)
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At the top of the Maskill’s Harbour, looking out toward the Bras d’Or Lake estuary. (Photo: Liz Beatty)
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Renowned Nova Scotia singer songwriter Keith Mullins serenades as we sail the harbour. (Photo: Liz Beatty)
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