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People of Lake Ainslie, Nova Scotia are justifiably proud of their lineage, land and home. With pictures and words we begin the story.2
A view of the beach at Trout River, Lake Ainslie, Nova Scotia.2003
Trout River
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From a scrapbook compiled in "Boston", we have an article detailing a trip to Cape Breton and Lake Ainslie."OUR HILLS AT HAME."
To the Editor of the Herald :
SIR, ----Socially speaking, "familiarity breeds contempt," and concerning home surrounding
scenery it is equally true. "Far-off birds have feathers fair," and it is not until our Cape Bretoners have visited the busy cities, the grassy plains, and the snow-capped mountains of other lands that they learn to appreciate and admire the boundless and varied charms of their "hills at home." A sense of this and the frequent reading of those graphic descriptions which our picturesque island draws from those lettered tourists that visit our shores excited, in a few years, a curiosity to survey the most flattered parts of our island, and to learn to "see ourselves as others see us."
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John T. MacLean's home. This was the Trout River Hotel.1963
Trout River
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We only had a single day at our disposal and it is doubtful if our arbitrators were more serious on the Bering sea question than we were on "how to make the most of it." Two things were essential to the success of the day - team and route. The first was supplied to our hearts' content by D. Mr. McLean, of Trout River hotel, and the second was well chosen in the selection of a circular route beginning and ending at Trout River. In this circle Mabou village would figure as an antipodes, and Centreville, Hillsboro, Brook Village, Starthlorne, and Scottsville tangents of pleasing aspects. "Ready for action!"6
An eagle in a tree at East Lake Ainslie, Nova Scotia.2003
East Lake Ainslie
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The sun rose brightly, the sparkling lake set off to advantage it's neighboring hills, the artisan hand of nature showed it's autumn shadings to the sun, the birds sweetly chanted."On morning wing how active springs the mind
That leaves the load of yesterday behind."
Thus exempted from care, seated in comfort and wrapped in deep admiration of the splendor of the surrounding scenery, we set off on our journey. Getting through the glens of Ainslie and Sky at an early hour, we left Bacac and Lody's gorgeous mountains far behind e'er we trimmed our observations or thought our journey had scarce begun. We were now passing the rich farms of Centreville and Hillsboro. The scenery here is most delightful. The extensive inclined plains are beautifully decorated with woody groves and newly planted orchards weeping with load. In the deep ravine below gently glides the stream that marks the boundary line of farms, and passes on to Mabou bridge to give that village harbor. Watch its clear winding rills as they multiply its volume on its course to the main, and be ever so poetically dead you cannot help leaving what inspirations Bobby Burns borrowed from "Afton Waters" and "Bonny Doon." Indeed, students in literature will find that the easiest and best method of studying authors is to read them under the same or similar natural laws and surroundings as they have written.
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Lake Ainslie from MacLean's Point1906
Lake Ainslie
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Read the Scottish poets. Cruise western Cape Breton and many surroundings will suggest you a collection of Scotland's very best literature. However, this is making leeway and courting the censure of critics to whom my imagination must appear rather elastic in turning Mabou in Scotland; but, begging pardon, I resume my thread. Through this beautiful valley, is located the coming railway. Here we met one of the engineers, accompanied by THE HERALD in person. So confident did people there talk the actual fulfillment in the near future of the predictions of that paper on of the building of the line that one could almost be heard "Daniel" and Samuel, the false prophets of Port Hood, groaning under the agonies of despair as they held the eel of politics by the tail and muttered–"Now, shameful flight alone can save the host.
Our blood, our treason and our glory's lost."
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Men at entrance to barite mine shaft.1920
Lake Ainslie
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Glendyre woolen mills, Glendyre, Nova Scotia.1893
Glendyre, Nova Scotia
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But it must be consoling to the country to know that thus is exemplified the English maxim: "What was John's loss was England's gain". However, we will let them alone. They have censured themselves to save us the trouble ; their actions have made them immortal in their own despite." I might here say that, while the mineral resources of the country are looked upon as the chief incentives in the building of the road, the scenery of the country will surprisingly aid in making the line an exceedingly popular one.. But on we go. Intermingling beauties increased in display and heightened imagination till the climax was capped by the picturesque vale of Glendyer. Here scenery begets variety from the spirit of enterprise . Nature and art unite to make it pleasant to the tourist. The McDonald mills are there and everything about the establishment is enticing and praiseworthy. While the machinery calls attention to the inventive genius of man, its productions are loud and emphatic in praise of the national policy and in the encouragement of the home industries.13
Lake Ainslie, Nova Scotia1999
Lake Ainslie
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From here we made our way to Mabou bridge, where we arrested our westward course and boxed our compass N N E for Strathlorne. Conspicuous in the village of Mabou is the convent and the exhibition buildings - especially so in virtue of their commanding positions. The latter was more familiar to us as being associated with the losing of slippers than the winning of prizes. Mabou farms show their occupants industrious, and their dwellings, while models in style, display a refinement of taste in their simplicity. The route to Strathlorne is brimful of interest to the tourist. Green fields and sweet scented valleys, sky-towering mountains and "craigs that are wild and majestic" feast the eye with beauty and the mind with grand and sublime conceptions of the handiwork of nature. Emerging from the behind those lofty peaks you have at once a full and commanding view of the beautiful nook and rich verdant hills of Lake Ainslie, which, without robbing any other place of due respect, I can safely say outstrips in scenery any other spot on the island. We close the circle after a pleasant drive of about fifty miles, and studded with pleasures long to be remembered by those who enjoyed it. And this we learned, that admirers of nature need not wing their to "ape or monkey climb" for in our own more congenial clime the will find ample scope for observations in the fascinating charms of "Our hills at Hame."Lake Ainslie, Oct.20, 1893
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