MacNamara Island, one of the largest islands in Nova Scotia, and the dominant island of the Inhabitant’s River Basin

in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia was founded by David MacNamara in 1819.  There the McNamara’s multiplied and flourished with the island serving as a sheep farm, until the island was abandoned by that family in the later part of the 19th century.  Since then, this island of 330 acres has been lost to time….with no human habitation or activity.  Now, it is for sale.

The island itself is remarkable.

With its substantial size this unique property offers the ultimate “get away” for those seeking a spacious and multi-faceted return to nature that only an island left to nature for over 100 years can provide.  The topography includes rocky bluffs, pasture and dense pine and hardwood forest.  There are pasture lands (long overgrown), two ponds and several freshwater streams running through the property.  There are also two sheltered coves suitable for dock construction and swimming.  The density of the vegetation is remarkable.  Landing at the northern cove one can venture only a few hundred feet before encountering thick brush and trees…sometimes so dense they are difficult to traverse.   This is an opportunity for a true adventurer!

This seemingly remote island off the coast is conveniently located only a few miles from the largest town in Cape Breton

Port Hawkesbury boasts a thriving community of 3,200 residents with ample shopping, schools, medical care, equipment sales and rentals, a marina and hotels, restaurants and nightlife.

MacNamara’s Island is protected just to the south by the presence of Rabbit Island, which serves as a buffer and barrier. 

As a result, while Rabbit Island is barren from the exposure to the North Atlantic, MacNamara’s Island is unscathed and has been blessed with continuous growth of pine and hardwood forest, pasture grasses, ferns and native plants.  

As there have been no inhabitants since the late 1800s

the only vestiges of human habitation are the stone foundations of the farm buildings…and even those are difficult to find.  A number of the MacNamaras are buried on the island, but there is not a graveyard and no marked graves have been found by the current owner.