Highland Village Museum

This museum was a great find on our trip to Nova Scotia We throughly enjoyed our visit to the museum. Beautiful location with scenic views. Lots and lots of history, very interesting walk through time learning about intriguing past. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and actors.
Unfortunately we had only one hour to visit before closing time. Check the open hours before you go.

The place represents a village from the Wilhelminian era. The staff is dressed appropriately and provides information with a lot of charm about the time and the worries and needs of the people as well as the joyful times.
You have to take a little time and get involved with the stories.

Exceptional actors in costume that don't break character. Worth the drive, especially in the fall. Damn!

Beautiful views from here on a sunny day. Interesting historical buildings and reenactments.

Beautiful location with scenic views. Living history village that starts with the Cape Bretons heritage to Scotland to the present day. They have a huge horse roaming around as well and some other animals.

I was not told in advance that the village involves walking on very steep paths. I could not tour the village as a result due to my disabilities. I was told to go straight to the tea and oatcakes. There wasn't anything but closed doors and no sign. After I was in the gift shop a while someone told me that the tea room was now open. There were no tables to set my cup on except the decorated long table. I chose candy, a cap, and a necklace to purchase. I got the cap because they had very few men's t-shirts and none in my size. The necklace was very important to me. When I got to the ship I discovered that the necklace was not rung up. It was in the cap so the cashier took it out and ignored it. Overall a seriously disappointing experience. I would not recommend going all the way out there.

We have done a number of these kind of historical villages in different parts of North America, and this one ranks up there in the top category! All authentic buildings and furnishings except the one representing a Scottish Highland habitation that the people had to leave before they were evicted. That was re-created.the rest were from the time period they represented. The Village spanned several hundred years and it was fascinating to hear the appropriately costumed docents speak, in character, of the people who lived there and what Life was like. And the shingle maker ran the macine.the oldest one left in Nova Scotia and it still worked! This place teaches effortlessly and artfully. What a gem!

If you have any Gaelic blood it is the place to go. Even if you don't it's still quite interesting.

Friendly staff, good costumes and fantastic views! The history was so interesting and I'm glad I know more about the people who came before us!

Wonderful experience, the entire village is steeped in history. What an exceptional job they've done.

Learn the rough life of the Gaelic folks forced to leave Scotland with only hope in Nova Scotia. Excellent dressed actors tell the tale. Watch for the pig, it likes to escape.

Very interesting walk through time. Actors were quite good and very knowledgeable. Learned a lot. Highly recommended.

Went on an excursion from Sydney (Canada) to this open air museum. There are several buildings in the style of earlier years. I mention a school, blacksmith shop, sawmill, shop, post office and several houses. It gives a good picture of how people used to live and work in this area

This was a great find and very educational. The living history people were great and friendly. It wasn’t crowded at all. And there were beautiful views from up there. Expect a lot of walking. Highly recommend.

We like that type of museums, and visit them when we have chance. This time we were definitely not disappointed. It was a pleasure to listen to the "actors", they were making history closer to us.

Lots and lots of history. A must on your to-do list. People are very friendly and knowledgeable. Pet friendly.

This is an excellent walk through time and the history of the Gaels. Actors play the appropriate roles for each time.

What a fantastic, educational site regarding Gaelic culture and heritage. Great interpreters dressed in period clothing.

A great small museum. It follows people from Scotland as they immigrate to Nova Scotia - with some animals, a general store, etc.

Breathtaking views from the site itself. Well marked out, easy path to follow ‘through time’. The 1st 3 buildings were fantastic, really pulled us into the narrative and played the part of setting sail. Sadly that’s where the interactive parts ended. Shame, as i would have really liked more information. The lady at the general store gave us some good information, as did the carding mill and the shingle making building, but no one was in the ‘period’ like the 1st 3. Still, amazing place. Loved getting to cuddle the cat in the reception area, so snuggly! Had to return her though as she tried to follow us outside! Highly recommend getting there at opening, it was so quiet.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at this place. The workers were friendly and knowledge. They were dressed for the time period, and answered questions the same way. It was dog friendly, which is a huge plus for me.

Visited this center as part of a cruise ship tour. Very beautiful and picturesque location overlooking the bras d'ore. Easy to imagine you are in the Highlands of Scotland. Would be even better to visit in a smaller group to be able to enjoy listening to the guides in the exhibits, some speaking Gaelic and dressed in period costumes.

We walked in thinking it was going to be like any other indoor museum but we were wrong- it was BETTER. The price was $11 per person to get in and I think the price you pay is way below what they should be charging. This could easily be an expensive museum but it’s not! This place takes you back in time, with people dressed up like they we were back in the 1800’s when the Scott’s left Scotland and arrived in Nova Scotia! People are amazing, you get to see the amazing set up from that time. The church was brought to this museum in one piece! The views are breathtaking, there are a few animals on site like a horse, pig and some. We went there when tourists weren’t there so got to interact with the people 1on1 which was great so get to learn their history. Apparently this place can hold around 700 people at a time when the cruise ships arrive! Go see it for your self. Promise you won’t be disappointed:)