Lighthouses of Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia has more lighthouses than any other Canadian Province, somewhere in region of 160! Not bad for the second smallest province, after only Prince Edward Island. Yet if you’ve been to this beautifully bleak corner of North America, and seen its rugged coastline, the reason soon becomes clear.

A typical stretch of Nova Scotian coastline

Here are three of my favourite Nova Scotian lighthouses (of those I’ve been lucky enough to see, of course):

I love Fort Point Lighthouse in Liverpool, because it looks like someone made it in their bedroom. Or rather, it looks like someone made their bedroom into a lighthouse! Seriously though, the lighthouse, which was constructed in 1855, is a Provincial Heritage Property that stands close to the spot where Champlain landed in 1604.

Lighthouse or just a house?

I’ve heard of bedrooms being concerted into offices, but this is ridiculous!

If Fort Point Lighthouse looks like a converted house, the Cape Forchu Lightstation near Yarmouth is one of the most utilitarian lighthouses I’ve ever seen. The tower is a no-nonsense structure that does exactly what it says on the tin: it holds a light that warns shipping well in advance of the dangers they will encounter if they get too close.

Cape Forchu Lightstation

Tower: Check!
Light on top: Check!

To those of you in the know, it’ll come as no surprise that may favourite Nova Scotian lighthouse is the one at Peggy’s Cove.

Firstly there’s the rugged, windswept coastline, all bare rock and churning rollers, on which it’s located.

Secondly, there’s the picture-postcard fishing village in the cove over which it stands guard.

Finally, imagine a child’s drawing of a lighthouse: that’s exactly what the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse looks like.

In short, you’d be hard pressed to find a more perfect lighthouse and setting than that at Peggy’s Cove.

Panorama at Peggy’s Cove

This post was inspired by this week’s photo challenges of Trio from Cheri of The Daily Post and Pick Your Own from Jennifer Nichole Wells’ One Word Photo Challenge (I picked Lighthouse!).

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