Iona & Area

Iona is commonly referred to as “central Cape Breton”. We’re in the “heart of the island” here, about an hour away from everywhere. That’s one way Iona is always described because it’s a about an hour to Sydney, an hour to the Causeway, an hour to Mabou—a little less than hour to Baddeck—but basically, we’re very centrally-located on the Island.

One-of-a-kind view

Traveling to Iona takes you on a beautiful scenic drive, and the beautiful scenery doesn’t end when you get here. Standing pretty much anywhere in Iona, overlooking the beautiful Bras d’Or Lake, you can see all four of Cape Breton Island’s counties. You are standing in Victoria County but you can see Inverness, Richmond, and Cape Breton counties, and that view up and down the Lake is certainly one-of-a-kind.

Experience a unique living history museum

Your first stop once arriving in Iona should be Baile nan Gàidheal | the Highland Village. The main attraction in the area, this living history museum tells the story of the Gaels who settled in Nova Scotia. Located on 43 acres of land, there are 13 buildings to visit and explore on site which take you through four eras in chronological order, unlike most living history museums that are set in one specific time. This presentation really shows the progression of folks emigrating from Scotland to present day. A new visitor centre is expected to be ready for spring 2023 which will house four exciting new exhibits. With all the interactive activities available, this is not just your typical museum experience; it’s an opportunity to create memories that you will take home with you and remember.

Local entertainment, food and hospitality

Just because the Highland Village is the main attraction in the area doesn’t mean it’s the only one. The Frolic ‘n Folk Pub, located at The Iona Heights Inn, is a hot spot for live entertainment featuring everything from local songwriter circles and traditional sessions to well-established, touring folk acts. The Pub has a really friendly feeling and just walking in you feel welcomed by the environment. There’s also the Grandona Legion–Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124, which hosts Chase the Ace, monthly Friday night suppers, and regularly features live local performers. People travel from all over—making the trip from Sydney, Glace Bay and New Waterford—just for the monthly home-style supper at the Legion, but there are other great options for food. Coming up Highway 223 from Sydney and the Northside, the Beaver Cove Take-Out is about 20 minutes away from here and is a very popular spot. Wheelhouse Café is located on the Grand Narrows waterfront with a view of Iona. And for homemade food fit to fill your belly, Darby’s Old Church Kitchen is less than 10 minutes away, down the road along Highway 223 at McKinnons Harbour.

Local landmarks

Among the many natural landmarks, there are also some notable built structures in the area. With its distinctive design, and a swing span at one end for boat traffic, The Grand Narrows Bridge is the longest railway bridge in the province, connecting the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and Victoria County. If you’re travelling by car, it will be the Barra Strait Bridge that carries you into Victoria County along Highway 223. When you come across the hill in Grand Narrows, the Malagawatch Church on top of the hill at the Highland Village is practically the first thing you’ll see. The Village had been looking for a church for a while. They wanted to have a church to represent the religious side of the Gaels’ life and they acquired this church in nearby Malagawatch. The congregation was dwindling there and they wanted to ensure the church was saved. So it was brought over by barge, moved from Malagawatch 11 nautical miles down the lake, in 2003 and placed atop the hill at Highland Village. The Post Office in Iona is also worth noting with its name displayed in three languages—English, French and Gaelic.

Cultural connections

The Iona peninsula is heavily-influenced by the Gaelic settlers who arrived here with last names like MacNeil, MacLean, Campbell and MacDonald. This cultural heritage is also supported by Fèis an Eilein, a community-based festival that celebrates our Gaelic culture. For the past 31 years, the Fèis has offered Gaelic language, music and dance lessons throughout the summer as well as hosting a weekly concert series and finishing the summer with a week-long festival. Being so centrally located, we also have a close relationship with the neighbouring First Nation communities of Eskasoni, Wagmatcook and Waycobah. Growing up for me those were the languages that I heard Monday night at Bingo—English, Gaelic, and Mi’kmaq. The languages were spoken all around us in conversation, and we’ve always had great relationships with our neighbours over in Eskasoni.

Settling in for the night

After a day of exploring the Highland Village, checking out the local waterfalls and beaches, taking a dip in the Lake and enjoying an evening of live music at the Pub, you can settle in for the night at a variety of local accommodations including the Iona Heights Inn, The Grand Narrows Hotel across the Barra Strait, or, if you’re tenting or RVing, the Time Out Campground is 15 minutes away on the Portage Road.