Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, looks like a bagpipe on the map. Or maybe I'm influenced by the Scottish immigrants that have themselves so influenced Nova Scotia, and in particular, Cape Breton Island. Located on the northeastern end of the province, this island boasts one extraordinary view after another. It eerily looks like Scotland, and so must have felt like home to the waves of Scottish and Irish settlers. 

If you're visiting Nova Scotia, you must make time to explore the Cabot Trail, which circles the northern part of Cape Breton Island. This area is called the Highlands, and the mountains are an extension of the Appalachian Mountain chain. Driving the Cabot Trail, which is part of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, reminds you of Scotland, indeed - there are narrow, winding roads, bracketed by steep drops down to the ocean on one side and forests on the other. It's a most beautiful drive of about 185 miles, and should definitely be on your list of things to see and do in Eastern Canada. 

When driving the Cabot Trail, you'll wend your way around bays, trees, and occasional houses. This is a good time to load up your playlist, for Cape Breton Island has a rich musical heritage, notably shown in the annual Celtic Colours festival, and in music known the world over. This playlist, collated by our Music Editor, Kerry Dexter, will provide you with the soundtrack of the island.

Stop and take photos along the way (there are spots designated just for this), but don't tarry too long - you will definitely want to reach your destination. 

We stopped to take photos, both by the roadside (above), and at a pulloff (below)

While you're driving the Cabot Trail, you'll need somewhere to stay. Might I suggest the idyllic Keltic Lodge? I'd heard about the resort, and was eager to experience it myself. But no videos or photos could have prepared me for this old world, historic resort that took us back in time and showcased the essence, history, beauty, and traditions of Cape Breton Island. 

The Lodge is located just inside the Cape Breton Highlands National Park (you'll need to pay an entrance fee for however long you'll be here). Follow the first turnoff on the right, and meander up the long driveway, marveling at the view. This will be a common theme during your stay here - view, awe, wonder. 

Head up to the large white building atop the hill (pictured above) at the end of the road to check in. This is the main Lodge, although you will have passed many places to stay in the resort. Keltic Lodge has been operating since 1940, and is owned by the Nova Scotia Provincial Government. Staying here takes you back in time, to a place where families come back every year for extended stays, trails and beaches become familiar, views are never tired of, and peace reigns. All of the guests we saw were relaxed, happy, smiling, and seemed very much at home here. We wanted in on this Keltic Lodge happiness club, a family compound that embraces tradition and time together in a stunning natural environment.

Our rooms were in thie second building from the left - close to the spa!

After check in, and learning about the nightly ceilidh and various trails, pools, beaches, lookout spots, and flower gardens, we headed to our room in a separate building. I dumped our luggage and immediately hoisted the windows open, letting in the fresh sea air - so welcome after hours in the car. It felt like a summer cottage, and, like a child, I rushed outside to take in the views, find the pool, smell the flowers, listen to the waves and the gulls.

Wouldn't you just love to sit here? I did love it, so very much.

The heated outdoor pool - note: you have to be able to climb stairs to get to it

The hotel clerk had suggested that we mermaids swim at Ingonish Beach, right down the driveway, located before you hit the Cabot Trail. Turn left onto a little parkway before the highway, and drive a few hundred feet to the beach. There are restrooms there, as well as a foot washing station. Park, climb down the rocks (or take the short boardwalk with stairs - this beach is not wheelchair accessible), and explore the beach to your delight. In late July, the water was cool and refreshing. 

Ingonish Beach, above and below

After our swim, and back at Keltic Lodge, I darted back and forth to both sides of the peninsula, deciding which view was best, ending up nestled up against a safety fence to peer down at the waves crashing on rocks, the cliffs strewn with wildflowers. 

The lawn outside of our room 

Our room was quite comfortable, on the second floor of a building that faced southeast. There were board games, a pool table, and plenty of common space in our building. The staff was extremely friendly, as were the fellow guests. It's truly a family atmosphere - imagine having an incredible destination wedding here! The golf course, Highland Links, is Canada's #1 golf course - and I can see why. The setting is spectacular and Keltic Lodge has been named by Condé Nast Traveller to their Gold list, as one of the most desirable locations in the world. 

Here at Keltic Lodge, you can feel the brisk wind, smell the salty air and the flowers scattered throughout many gardens, hear the gulls cry and the waves crash against the cliffs, relax in the colorful adirondack chairs placed throughout the property, hike amidst the forest, and dine well at one of the on-site restaurants - or have a picnic on the beach, as we did. 

We loved our stay at Keltic Lodge - it was a refreshing, relaxing chapter of our epic Canadian road trip to Newfoundland. 

A warm Celtic welcome on Keltic Lodge's doorstep

Learn more:

http://www.kelticlodge.ca/

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All photos courtesy and copyright Wandering Educators