Antigonish County is a rural community steeped in a unique heritage. Many of our ancestors came from the highlands of Scotland, and their culture and strong values still resonate through our every day life here in Antigonish County.

These, however, were not the first settlers to our county - the Acadian French had earlier begun to settle in the eastern part of the county when they were allowed to return to Nova Scotia after the Expulsion of the Acadians. Many of our residents celebrate their Acadian heritage in honor of their Acadian ancestors who settled here.

Later, the Irish Loyalists and the Black Loyalists were granted parcels of land to begin new settlements. However, prior to the arrival of all these settlers, the Mi'kmaq occupied this territory and had been living in this area for many centuries.

For more information on the history and genealogy of Antigonish County, please visit the 'Local History Room' at the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library site, or, the Antigonish Heritage Museum site.

We are sure that you will be delighted with the scenic beauty of our county and its coastline; with its beaches, parks, trails and nature sites; its historic homes, lighthouses and churches; its art and craft studios, campgrounds and golf courses; its communities, its people and their heritage; and the many adventures and outdoor activities, attractions, festivals and events, and recreational opportunities that our county has to offer.

If you are looking for tourism destinations that relate to the agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries sectors, please consult the 'On the Land and In the Sea: A Resource Directory of Nova Scotia Agricultural, Aquacultural and Sportfishing Destinations and Activities' site. (Please note: when selecting a scenic travelway, we are located along the Northumberland Shore on the Sunrise Trail.) For more information on Sportfishing in Nova Scotia and Recreational Fishing Area #2 (Antigonish, Guysborough and Pictou Counties), please click here. Recreational boaters who are looking for suitable locations for launching their boats can view the Boat Ramp Locations in Antigonish County here.

Each September, farms across Nova Scotia open their doors to the public on 'Open Farm Day'. Come out and discover how food is produced in Antigonish County!

'Sportfishing Weekend' provides a great opportunity to introduce youngsters to angling and promote family togetherness and outdoor living. This weekend is the perfect time for anyone who has ever wanted to fish to give it a try!

Year-round, you can enjoy numerous arts and cultural events in the area. Please view the Antigonish Culture Alive Events Calendar for details. Explore the pastoral countryside while searching for some of the many art/craft studios that Antigonish County has to offer. View a sampling of these in the Studio Rally Studio Map - Northumberland Shore, or in The Guide to Craft & Art in Nova Scotia - Northumberland Shore, or, by searching the VANS E-Studio Artist Pages - Region:Sunrise Trail.

If you are visiting our region on July 1st, please join us for our annual 'Canada Day Celebration' at Teasdale's Field, located just off the Antigonish Guysborough Road in Marydale (Turn off Highway 316 in St. Andrews).

If you visit us in winter, be sure to bring along your cross-country skis or your snowshoes. If you visit us in the summer, don't forget to pack a bathing suit and beach gear. Bring along your kayak, canoe, golf clubs or hiking equipment anytime you visit during the spring, summer or fall. And whatever the season, don't forget your camera and binoculars!

Explore Antigonish County

Explore Antigonish County by selecting a region below:

• Antigonish County's North Shore
• Région Acadienne de Pomquet Acadian Region
• The Hills - The Keppoch/Beaver Mountain/Browns Mountain
• Eastern Antigonish County
• The Lakes - Gaspereaux Lake - Lochaber Lake - South River Lake
• Antigonish (Town) and Surrounding Area

If you require assistance in locating specific communities within our county, please click here and select Search for a Geographical Name. Click here to view a map of Antigonish County.

Where to Stay and Where to Eat

Please consult the Nova Scotia Accomodations site or the Nova Scotia Places to Eat site. (Remember: when selecting a scenic travelway that we are located along the Northumberland Shore on the Sunrise Trail.)

For further information on accommodations and reservation services, you may contact the Check-in Nova Scotia Reservation Service, on-line, or by phoning 1-800-565-0000 (toll-free from anywhere in North America).

For More Information

Our local Visitor Information Centre is open seasonally, from May to October. The telephone number is (902) 863-4921. It is located at the Antigonish Mall Complex in Antigonish (TCH Exit 33 north onto Church Street).

If you require additional information on where we are and how to get here, please click here.

"There's a special beauty along the Sunrise Trail. Gently rolling farmlands create a quilt of emerald green fields that meets the sparkling blue waters of the Northumberland Strait. Country roads wind past over thirty fine-sand beaches with their bright red bluffs and tidal saltmarshes that are vibrant with life. Timeless towns and villages, where generations have harvested the bounty of land and sea, now wait to be explored. Lobster boats can be seen leaving early in the morning and returning in mid-afternoon loaded with their delicious cargo. From the sea to you-it doesn't get any fresher than that!".

Local visitor information is also available at the following sites:

novascotia.com ... Explore Northumberland Shore Region

novascotia.com ... Sunrise Trail

Explore Three Shores Nova Scotia ... Northumberland Shore

Reward your Senses ... Antigonish & Eastern Shore

To download or order Nova Scotia Travel Publications, or to access the Nova Scotia Visitor Information Services site, please click here.