Inverness

Introducing Inverness

Row upon row of company housing betrays the history of coal mining in Inverness, the first town of any size on the coast. Its history and people are captured evocatively by writer Alistair MacLeod. His books are for sale at the Bear Paw (902-258-2528; Hwy 19), next to the Royal Bank.

Beginning near the fishing harbor there are miles of sandy beach with comfortable water temperatures in late summer. A boardwalk runs 1km along the beach. In the old train station just back from the beach, the Inverness Miners’ Museum (902-258-3822; 62 Lower Railway St; admission by donation; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, noon-5pm Sat & Sun Jul & Aug) presents local history. Inverness County Centre for the Arts (902-258-2533; www.invernessarts.ca; 16080 Hwy 19; 10am-5pm Mon-Wed & Fri, 10am-7pm Thu, 1-5pm Sat & Sun Jun–mid-Sep, 10am-5pm Mon-Fri rest of year) is a beautiful new establishment with several galleries and an upmarket gift shop featuring work by local and regional artists. It’s also a music venue with a floor built for dancing – of course!

Macleods Inn B&B (902-253-3360; www.macleods.com; Broad Cove Rd, off Hwy 19; r $70-125) is a high-end B&B for a not-so-high-end price about five kilometers north of Inverness. The house is big and modern but the decoration is in keeping with Cape Breton heritage.

Just south of Inverness, theCasual Gourmet & Bank Head Pub (902-258-3839; Hwy 19; pub menu $8-13, dinner $15-20; 7am-9pm Jul & Aug, 11:30am-9pm rest of year) offers healthy soups, quesadillas, chili and more – at night the dining turns to artfully prepared seafood, meat and vegetarian fare. Windows wrap around the dining area bringing in sea views and light.

Last updated: Sep 23, 2008