Cape Breton Estates: Land of the Golden Arms

The main residence is a truly unique log-constructed building from the 1950's that has been meticulously looked after and modernized over the past 2 decades by the current owners. On the edge of Lake Ainslie (the largest freshwater lake in the maritimes), the property has over 1500 feet of waterfront and lovely views across the lake and surrounding hills. The unusually large acreage (560 acres) sweeps up the hill and has mature hard maple, birch, beech and younger growth. Wild life is very evident with deer, partridge, fox, lynx and eagles in the air. The property has been a hunting preserve since its inception and while a corner of the land has been clear-cut of mature fir, only minor selective logging has been allowed throughout this period. The forest roads remain capable of taking a 4-wheel drive vehicle and cover a good portion of the 560 acres.

This property has many notable features, including a massive masonry and tile wood-burning stove in the living room which radiates heat very efficiently. The period kitchen wood stove is properly installed and functional. The original ground-floor bathroom also has its own working woodstove which was originally installed to offset any power outages.

The master ensuite provides access to the exercise and tanning room which additionally has a sauna. The very large moose head dates from the early days of the hunting lodge and is a central figure in the great room. The 40' by 16' front deck overlooking the lake extends the living space comfortably into the outdoors.

The caretaker residence is of substantial size, affording an additional 2006 square feet of living area; three bedrooms and a bath on the second floor and master ensuite on the ground floor, having been built into the barn. The intercom between the master and the upstairs hall dates from the days of young children.

A New Yorker in 1954 built the original log structure which is now the great room of the main dwelling. For a number of years the gathering place of his friends for hunting holidays, the lodge was sold to a Floridian in the early 1960's, then to a Sydney couple in the early '70s. During the 2 decades of their ownership, a number of additions to the main house were constructed, keeping the theme of log walls. The current owner's German-Swiss father then purchased the property in 1981 and set about modernizing and weatherizing the entire estate, beginning with the main home. The present excellent condition of the residences is largely due to the care and attention of his heirs.

NOTE FOR FISHERMEN: Lake Ainslie is part of the Margaree River System and is well known for trout fishing in season (perch also caught). Tributary streams afford excellent fly-fishing opportunities while the lake drains into the SW Margaree River, a well-known salmon fishing river. In turn, it empties into the NE Margaree which is the main salmon fishing river in this area.

ABOUT SHOPPING: 10 minutes to Whycocomagh, 20 minutes to Inverness, 45 minutes to Port Hawkesbury