Inverness County

From the Causeway to the Bras d'Or to the Highlands to Lake Ainslie

Inverness County encompasses approximately 1,500 square kilometres along the western coastline of Cape Breton Island. Further inland, the county includes part of the Bras d’Or Lake and Lake Ainslie, both within the Bras d’Or Lake UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, as well as the Margaree River, a designated Canadian Heritage River. Inverness County is also home to the First Nation community of We’koqma’q, nestled along the shores of the Bras d’Or Lakes.

Inverness County is known for its diverse and breathtaking landscapes, including rolling hills, sandy beaches, flat plateaus, rugged highlands, meandering rivers, farm-filled valleys, hidden coves, an vast ocean views. Two iconic routes weave through the county: the Ceilidh Trail along Route 19 and the world-renowned Cabot Trail. The Trans Canada Trail, following the former railway line from Port Hastings through to Inverness, offers an exceptional route for walking, cycling, four-wheeling, and snowmobiling.

Culture is vibrant and deeply rooted throughout Inverness County. Mi’kmaw, French-Acadian, and Scottish-Gaelic communities, amongst many other cultures, continue to honour and celebrate their music, art, language, and heritage. Together, these communities contribute to the county’s rich and diverse cultural mosaic.

The Inverness Local of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union (NSTU) encompasses a large geographic area, with schools serving the communities of Port Hawkesbury, Whycocomagh, Port Hood, Mabou, Inverness, Belle Cote, and Pleasant Bay. These schools are all part of the Strait Regional Centre for Education, connecting educators and students across a diverse and expansive region of Cape Breton.