14

Farms cut from the forest
12 August 2001
Barra Glen, Victoria County, Nova Scotia

15

The settlers made application for land as soon as they could after landing. They were required to set stakes to mark the property they wanted. A Crown Surveyor would then officially survey the lot. The settlers were required to make improvements to the lot and pay for the survey. Lots were laid out in straight sections of about 200 acres. Lines can still be seen as shown in the photo.

16

"The gloomy forest"
12 August 2001
Washabuck Peninsula, Victoria County, NS

17

It is reported in records in Scottish archives that some settlers were supplied with implements to cut trees as well as hammers and nails. But they still faced the "gloomy forest" as reported by the Bard MacLean when he settled in Barney's River, Antigonish County. The Barra people were not familiar with trees as Barra is virtually treeless. Coming from a home with one room, little light and the fireplace in the centre, it is no wonder they built cabins of one room.

18

Schooner rounding Derby Point in the Bras d'Or Lakes
Circa 1999
Barra Strait, Cape Breton, NS

Credits:
Rodney Chaisson

19

Barra Strait from the air
12 August 2001
Barra Strait, Cape Breton, NS

20

On the 200th Anniversary of the landing of the Bara people, descendants staged a re-enactment of the landing and meeting with the Native peoples. Many descendants of the original families still live on the same lands granted in the early 1800s.

21

Re-enactment of landing of first MacNeils from Barra
30 July 2002
Barra Strait, Cape Breton, NS

22

Building a fire
30 July 2002
Iona, Victoria County, NS

23

Building a fire
30 July 2002
Iona, Victoria County, NS

24

First contact with the First Nation people of Cape Breton - a re-enactment
30 July 2002
Barra Strait, Cape Breton, NS

Credits:
Rodney Chaisson

25

Re-enactment of Barramen's landing at the Barra Strait
30 July 2002
Barra Strait, Cape Breton, NS

26

The emmigrants found a much different landscape than that which they had left. The land was tree-lined down to the shore. They were to find that the climate was different as well with frost and snow throughout the long winter. The homesteads were far apart. A story illustrates this and tells of a family who lived along the lake. One day the head of the household was outside and saw smoke farther down the lake. He walked over to invesitage and found a new family getting their land ready for planting. Gradually the land was taken up by other settlers, some family, some friends, also from Barra and the islands that surrounded it. The next phase of their lives was beginning.

27

Cape Mabou
30 October 2000
Cape Mabou, Inverness County, NS

Credits:
Rodney Chaisson