We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers: Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox. Mac: Safari.
All 43 Cape Breton Island Attractions »

Highland Village

4119 Highway 223, Victoria County | Iona, Nova Scotia B2C 1A3, Canada
902-725-2272
The store and the church
at the Ceildh
Hooking a few loops in a wool rug
View from the church window
8 visitor photos
Ranked #10 of 26 attractions in Cape Breton Island
4.5 of 5 stars 19 Reviews
Type: Historic Sites
Owner description: Experience the lifestyle of the Scots in Nova Scotia at the Village's Outdoor Pioneer Museum or look up your Cape Breton roots at the Genealogy and...... more » Owner description: Experience the lifestyle of the Scots in Nova Scotia at the Village's Outdoor Pioneer Museum or look up your Cape Breton roots at the Genealogy and Family History Centre. « less
Update attraction details
Write a Review

19 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    11
    6
    1
    1
    0
Date Rating
Halifax, Canada
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Very Nice”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 19, 2012 NEW

You have to vist Great Celtic Life be sure to make Highland Village Days Party and Great music,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Canada
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“A walk back in time”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 25, 2012

Very lovely especially on a sunny day, wonderful family outing, views are spectacular More

Was this review helpful? Yes
hviona, Manager at Highland Village, responded to this review
April 11, 2012

We appreciate your visit. Yes, the sunny weather makes for a great visit and the views are amazing. Even in the fog, you get the appreciation for the life in Scotland and what hardships our ancestors overcame. More

Sydney, Canada
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
“Scots Village”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed March 11, 2012

Not a lot to do or see here for the kids. The history of Scottish pioneers who emigrated from Scotland with little more than the shirts on their backs to Nova Scotia in the late 1850's is riveting. But a few buildings recreating rural life lacks appeal. Try Fortress Louisbourg if you want the kids to step back in time. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Sydney, Canada
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Scottish Settlers”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 7, 2012

Great examples of how Scottish settlers lived when they came to Canada. Different types of homes are shown. Also demonstrations on spinning wool and that sort of thing. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
hviona, Manager at Highland Village, responded to this review
April 11, 2012

Thanks so much for your visit. Hands on activities are becoming a bigger part of what we do each year. We like to create an experience for our visitors that they can take away and remember. More

Canada
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
“Great place for young children”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 19, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Our children, now grown loved at the highland village as did their Dad and Mom More

Was this review helpful? Yes
hviona, Manager at Highland Village, responded to this review
April 11, 2012

We have heard people say that they had come as children and now they take their children here too. Glad that you could visit and hope you are able to come again. More

cape breton, nova scotia
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Hertiage with a view”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 23, 2011

awesome awesome. The celtic hertiage in full costume. The grounds are amazing. The staff are all in character and interact with the visitors. The view of the Lakes is beyond spectacular. The village is on a hill overlooking the landscape. It is a great outing for couples, families etc. Also, you are able to take a rest and have tea/coffee... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
hviona, Manager at Highland Village, responded to this review
April 11, 2012

Thank you for your very kind words and we are happy that you could come to visit. We do enjoy our setting and the lovely view ourselves. We are putting the final touches on our 2012 programming and gearing up for our June 1st opening day. Watch our website for our full program list. More

San Diego, CA
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
“Great insight into the lives of the early settlers”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 16, 2011

I loved our visit here. The buildings have been collected and moved to the site in Iona. They represent different eras in the history of the area. It is a great place to visit while in Cape Breton. My nephew loved getting up close with the chickens, pigs, & sheep. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
hviona, Manager at Highland Village, responded to this review
November 21, 2011

Thank you for the great comments. We are so glad you enjoyed your visit and especially that your nephew enjoyed the animals. It is important to us to present the story of Gaelic Nova Scotia and include all the aspects as the animals were one of the ways families survived. And they are cute too. More

Portland, Maine
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
“Ceildh”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 13, 2011

We were here during the Celtic Colours Festival and had not bought tickets for any events. While at the museum, we discovered there was to be a ceildh, a "gathering" in one of the homes in the village of the museum. There must have been at least 20 people crammed into a very small space, but it was worth it!... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
hviona, Manager at Highland Village, responded to this review
October 14, 2011

The Ceilidh was and is an important part of passing on the cultural life of Gaelic speakers and communities. It provides an easy and natural way for visitors and for children to learn the language and stories of ancestors. I am so pleased you were able to visit us and experience this with us. As a learner myself, being in... More

PA
Top Contributor
61 reviews 61 reviews
Reviews in 27 cities Reviews in 27 cities
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
“Great peek into the past!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 24, 2011

My wife and I stopped at Highland Village during our recent NS vacation. We both are interested in historical things and we both enjoyed this visit. First, it's location is atop a hill way above the Bras d'Or Lake....you can see for miles!! Beautiful!!! The village is composed of eleven buildings that were either painstakingly taken down and then reassembled... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
hviona, Manager at Highland Village, responded to this review
October 6, 2011

We are so glad you enjoyed your visit. The view is a wonderful one, even on a blustery day like today. Sharing the story of Gaelic Nova Scotia is a treat. Our staff live the life every day and many are direct descendants of the early settlers. The church move was a anxious time and the move was carried in... More

chicago
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Definitely worth a visit!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 22, 2011

I learned a lot about Cape Breton history from the Highland Village. Plus, it's located overlooking Bras D'or, outside, so it's a great view. You walk from site to site, house to house, each one representing a different period in Cape Breton history. It's fun and educational. There are people in the houses and be sure to ask them questions,... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
hviona, Manager at Highland Village, responded to this review
September 28, 2011

Thank you for your review. We appreciate our visitor's feedback as it helps us get better. And yes, our staff live the culture every day and are very knowledgeable about their buildings. I am so glad you enjoyed your visit. Come back anytime. More

Travelers who viewed Highland Village also viewed

Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
5 of 5 stars 40 Reviews
Ingonish, Cape Breton Island
Uisage Ban Falls
Uisage Ban Falls
5 of 5 stars 10 Reviews
Baddeck, Cape Breton Island
 
Fortress Louisbourg
Fortress Louisbourg
4.5 of 5 stars 112 Reviews
Louisbourg, Cape Breton Island
Cabot Trail
Cabot Trail
5 of 5 stars 75 Reviews
Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
 
All things to do in Cape Breton Island (43)

Been to Highland Village? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Highland Village, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing

Hotels travelers are raving about...

All hotels in Cape Breton Island (51)

Browse nearby

Things to Do (43) | Hotels (51) | Restaurants (277)
Highland Village
4119 Highway 223, Victoria County Iona
Nova Scotia B2C 1A3
Canada
Get Directions
What's Nearby:
Click map pins for more information.
Sponsor:

Free Cape Breton Island Guide

Get your quick guide to the top hotels, restaurants and things to do.
 
Download your guide now!
Get it now

Popular Cape Breton Island attractions

Hotels around Cape Breton Island

Explore the world
Sightseeing
Travel Destinations
Hotels
See all sites
Cruise Critic

The ultimate cruise resource: cruise reviews, deals, news and advice.

SeatGuru

The world's most comprehensive source for airline seats, airline info, & in-flight amenities.

Family Vacation Critic

The best family vacations start here.

Best beach houses of 2012 »