A Day Trip to Amherst, Nova Scotia…

From Suncatcher B&B to Amherst, Rte # 311 to Rte # 6

Rte # 311, the road behind Suncatcher B&B, takes you to Brule where the warm salt water of the Northumberland Shore beaches is a balmy 22C during the summer months, “the warmest beaches north of the Carolinas”.

But before you reach the Brule area, you can stop at several points of interest such as Sugar Moon Farm in the maple woods of the Cobequid Mountains. During all seasons you can learn about the production of one of Canada’s most recognizable products, maple syrup.

The Sutherland Steam Mill Museum is a restoration of the original mill owned and operated by the Sutherland family and built in 1894. The mill was known for the production of sleighs, carriages, windows, and gingerbread trim for houses.

The Balmoral Grist Mill, built c1874, demonstrates how grains are ground under huge Scottish granite and French buhr millstones.

After a dip in the Northumberland Strait at Brule, travel on to Tatamagouche, home of Anna Swan, the Nova Scotia giantess. The Creamery Square Museum has a collection of Anna’s made-to-measure clothing plus many artifacts from the original settlements in this area. Do not miss the two two-headed calves!!

The site of the first salt mine in Canada is in Malagash and the Malagash Salt Miners’ Museum tells about this local industry. Take a tour of Jost Vineyards, producer of award-winning wines, where a large variety of grapes are grown including the specialty “ice wine”.

A side trip can be made to Oxford, the Blueberry Capitol of the World. Chances are that if you have ever eaten any product containing dried blueberries, the blueberries came from Oxford, Nova Scotia. This is the most deliciously fragrant town in the province with the smell of the blueberry processing plant wafting down the main street. Visit the Wild Blueberry and Maple Centre and try to resist buying some products!!

On to Amherst, founded in 1764, to view the many historic buildings. Drive down Victoria Street and admire the beautiful homes of earlier times. Amherst, which sits close to the Nova Scotia/New Brunswick border, has always been a mercantile centre and many of the original buildings have been carefully restored.

More Day Trips from Suncatcher B&B…

Canso Causeway | Burncoat Lighthouse | Cape Split | Amherst | Halifax | Joggins