Little Narrows: Narrows, Cable Ferry and Fossil History
Accommodation in Little Narrows
At Little Narrows, a 13-metre-deep narrows separates Whycocomagh Bay from the rest of St. Patrick’s Channel; the community is also shaped by the government cable ferry, traces of gypsum production and a mastodon discovery at the Little Narrows Gypsum Quarry. Its location on the water, transportation and fossil history offer different points of reference for understanding the community. Victoria County adds its own cultural and landscape destinations to the picture.
Waterways and the Cable Ferry
A 13-metre-deep narrows at Little Narrows separates Whycocomagh Bay from the rest of St. Patrick’s Channel. In addition, a shallow narrows at Little Narrows isolates the bay from the rest of the lake system. The bay is therefore connected both to the channel and to the wider lake system.
The government-run Little Narrows cable ferry operates on demand around the clock and is free of charge. The Bras d’Or Lakes Scenic Drive takes travellers close to Little Narrows; road conditions can vary seasonally. If you’re planning the route, take these changing conditions into account.
Gypsum Production and the Mastodon Discovery
A mastodon fossil was discovered in 2014 at the Little Narrows Gypsum Quarry on Cape Breton. A mastodon shinbone, a rib and numerous bone fragments were found nearby in a sinkhole at the quarry. These finds give the community’s history a tangible connection to the region’s natural history.
Gypsum production is also part of Little Narrows’ history: it began in Little Narrows, Victoria County, on the shore of St. Patrick’s Channel. Along with the fossil discovery, this connection shows how rock and its use bring together the community’s themes.
What to Know About the Lighthouse
The tower at Little Narrows Lighthouse no longer stands, and the light is no longer in operation. This information helps clarify the status of the named lighthouse.
More Perspectives in Victoria County
The wider destination of Victoria County offers additional landscape and cultural themes. Cabots Landing provides access to a 3-kilometre beach trail. At the Cabots Landing National Historic Site, a memorial stone commemorates the landing of explorer John Cabot. The beach trail thus connects with a specific historical reference.
A 2.6-kilometre round-trip hike through hardwood forest leads to Uisge BĂ n Falls. The waterfall is 15 metres high and lies in a granite gorge. Along with the Cabots Landing beach trail, this hike can be understood in terms of its length and the contrasting landscapes along the routes: here, the route is explicitly described as a round trip, while there it is described as a beach trail.
The Gaelic College is in the St. Ann’s Bay area of Victoria County. The Great Hall of the Clans Museum uses eight interactive displays to share the traditions of Scottish Highland settlers and their development into a way of life in Cape Breton over more than 200 years. The museum’s subject gives Victoria County’s cultural offerings a distinct focus.
Another cultural destination in the wider Victoria County destination is Baile nan Gà idheal | Highland Village. This living history museum and folklore centre shares the history, language and living culture of Nova Scotia’s Gaels.
Discover more destinations: Big Bras d'Or, Victoria, Subd. B, Kempt Head, Baddeck, Saint Margaret Village, Ingonish, Iona, Neils Harbour
Back to the main travel overview: Victoria County.
