PORT HOOD: A decision from the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (UARB) has resulted in a big step forward for of Cabot Discovery Tours , which will now expand into Victoria County as a result of the UARB’s go-ahead.
“We just started the business in July, and we found a lot of demand comes from Baddeck and that’s why I applied for the amended licence, just that we could service that area a little better,” said Misty MacDonald, the owner and operator of Cabot Discovery Tours .
“We offer tours around Cape Breton Island, most popular right now is the Cabot Trail Tour and the Good Cheer Tour. That does Big Spruce Brewing and goes onto the vineyard in Marble Mountain and Glenora Distillery.”
The company will now be able to pick up customers in Baddeck, as well as Inverness, as a result of the UARB’s decision.
“The customers we’ve had out so far really seem to have enjoyed it. There’s a lot of great word of mouth, and we have a fantastic Web site that was done by Emily Rankin. Steve Rankin provided the photography,” she said.
“We’re off to a good start.”
MacDonald, who operates the business with her husband Jerry and one employee, is planning to provide tours to the public up until the time of the Celtic Colours International Music Festival. The tours are done in a 12-seat van.
All sorts of tours can be booked, including the aforementioned Cabot Trail Tour (which runs three times a week and includes a lunch at the Keltic Lodge) and the Good Cheer Tour (running twice weekly which toasts the long lineage of quality food and drink producers on the island).
Also offered are the Skyline Trail Hike and Lobster Experience, the Baddeck Discovery Tour, the Celtic Discovery Tour, and private tours.
The Skyline Trail Hike and Lobster Experience (offered once a week until the end of August) include a two-to-three hour hike along the Skyline Trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, topped off with a feed of lobsters.
The Baddeck Discovery Tour runs once a week, and includes a visit to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, possibly some sailing on the Bras d’Or Lake, or a visit to the Gaelic College.
The Celtic Discovery Tour is scheduled depending on the local music scene. MacDonald is more than willing to accommodate a group’s needs wishing for a private tour.
The company can be found on-line at: cabotdiscoverytours.com .