The Clairestone Inn

06/23/2026

Just another reason to extend your stay with us: beach picnic in Marble Mountain. Take the long way (2 hour leisurely, scenic drive) or scoot direct in about 45 minutes. Fantastic motorcycle route - great roads (one bumpy section) and some nice turns... and then this view! Cape Breton Island

06/20/2026

🎉 ARICHAT STREET FESTIVAL – KIDS ZONE AT THE CLAIRESTONE INN! 🎉
Join us on the beautiful front lawn of The Clairestone Inn during the Arichat Street Festival!
📅 June 20
🕐 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Front Lawn at The Clairestone Inn

Bring the whole family for an afternoon packed with fun, games, creativity, and seaside adventure at our exciting KIDS ZONE — featuring activities for kids of all ages!

🌊 Kids Zone Activities

🎨 Seaside Tattoos
Fun temporary tattoos for all the little festival-goers!

🖍️ The Doodle Dock
Drop anchor at our creative colouring station.

🐟 Pop! Splash! Catch!
Kids can try their luck at our fishing game!

🪢 Sailor Knot Showdown
Test your knot-tying skills in a rope competition hosted with our local Sea Cadet Corps.

🎨🐠 Fintastic Fish Studio
Decorate a wooden fish ornament and hang it on our fishing net.

🎯 Lawn Games & Outdoor Fun
Washer Toss
Bean Bag Toss
Giant Outdoor Jenga
Spikeball
Parachute Games

☀️ Come enjoy an afternoon of laughter, creativity, and community fun by the sea. We can’t wait to welcome you to The Clairestone Inn for a memorable day at the festival!

06/10/2026

A little unsolicited travel advice… plan a longer stay on Cape Breton Island and enjoy days like this:

Enjoy breakfast and then a peaceful morning walk along the Lower Road.

Hop in you car or on your motorbike and ride to Margaree for lunch at the Dancing Goat (backroads from Isle Madame: Cleveland - West Bay - short stint on the 105 to Whycocomagh - stretch at The Farmers Daughter - up the beautiful 395 - rte 19 - rte 30 to the DG).

Order the chicken tarragon sandwich on porridge bread. Leave with a bag of cookies. Just trust me on this one.

Head back via Rte 19 to Mabou and take a left onto the 252 (nice and twisty), back to Whycocomagh and then the same route back to Isle Madame. It’s a 5-6 hr day at a relaxed pace with an hour for lunch. Want a longer or more active day? Stop and hike Egypt Falls (on the 395).

Note for this time of year: you’ll want to have bug spray handy.

06/07/2026

Our little island feeling tucked away, safe and sound, in this beautiful fog. 🌊

06/03/2026

Today's Acadian word is hucher, meaning to yell or call out to someone.

Before cell phones, moms had an equally efficient system for calling us in for dinner. They'd simply holler from the step, the porch, or the clothesline, and somehow their voice carried to wherever we happened to be playing backyard tag. And if you heard your name or simply the word "souper" (supper), you knew not to make them call twice!

05/30/2026

This morning started with a heart squeeze.

I was in a guest room when I found these lovely hand knit slippers, gifted by a guest. Today would have been my grandmother’s 97th birthday.

I didn’t post about it, but we lost her shortly after Christmas. If you’ve ever stayed here, you’ve probably heard me talk about her. She lived a short walk from the inn and for eight years I was able to drop in regularly for a visit - something I will be forever grateful for. You may have also noticed her photo as a teenager (secretly) tucked into our hotel newspaper.

My grandmother (Mémé Pris, as we all called her) taught me how to knit. We spent hours together knitting socks, counting stitches… most times chatting, always laughing.

Finding these slippers this morning, on this day of all days, felt like something. Thank you, Josie, for this thoughtful, wonderful gift. I’m wearing them now (very handy since it’s apparently still winter in Nova Scotia).

The world can break your heart. But the Universe has a way of showing up to heal it.

05/29/2026

Writing a packing list for your Nova Scotia roadtrip? Here’s why you’ll want to put Nova Scotia Road Map as your #1 item (and we even tell you how to get yours delivered to your front door for FREE).

Who’s traveling with a paper map this summer? 🙋‍♀️🗺️🌊

Nova Scotia road trips reward curious travellers willing to wander off the beaten path. From the Cabot Trail to Isle Madame's coastal shores, the best discoveries aren't always on Google Maps. Order a free paper map from Tourism Nova Scotia and explore this beautiful province the old-school way.

05/27/2026

Acadian phrase today! A-tu mangé assez? Have you eaten enough?

Love in an Acadian village is spelled F-O-O-D. Whether it’s fricot (chicken stew) or meat pie (pâté à viande), the ultimate love language of an Acadian is making sure your belly is absolutely stuffed. So, it’s never really a question, yes isn’t an acceptable answer, and that second helping, or dessert, is on its way to you.

Sometimes, we rearrange sentence structure to emphasize the important word, which in this case is assez (enough). 😁 In standard French: As-tu assez mangé?

05/25/2026

Room 203 has my heart: a cozy fireplace, in room coffee maker for a slow morning, harbour views, and little details that make me smile. 🌊

What are the little details you appreciate when traveling?