This small convenient cabin was built by local carpenter/craftsman Frank Macleod of Big Farm Road, just up the way. I owe many thanks to Frank for his creativity and incredible skill, not only as a builder but also as a patient and giving friend. This cabin came about as a whim after camping on the site of the parking area for some years with my 22 foot travel trailer.
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The impetus behind the property and cabin is to have a sound base for my family to appreciate the Island of their heritage. As a child I spent most of my life fostered by family, Grandmother, Aunts and other kind families throughout Halifax and Lunenburg Counties. As a result I knew very little growing up about my heritage and Cape Breton connection. A favoured Aunt, my father's sister, shared but a few place names and anecdotes from her childhood which began in Canso, North America's oldest European community after the Viking settlement in Newfoundland. He father Capt. John A. Macdonald, born in Gabarus, housed his family in Canso while maintaining a residence in Sydney. Baptised Angus and confirmed John, grandfather preferred John Angus. A selection of documents from grandfathers shipping career dating to 1918 are displayed for interest. He was licensed as a Master ranging from the Hudson River to the River Brest and serviced many North Atlantic communities. Angus was born to Great Grandfather John Macdonald and Mary MacQuarrie. John and Mary were natives of Little Mabou. As is with the highland Scot's, names were reused, so John was the son of John who was the son of John who was the son of Alexander (Alasdair) known as Black Sandy of Kinloch Moidart, in the western highlands. Fourth Great Grandfather, Black Sandy ( Alisdair Dubh) arrived in Cape Breton in 1791, settled in Little Mabou and worked as a carpenter. Fortunate for me all are recorded in the Mabou Book of Pioneers, which only took a few decades to discover.
The actual design of the building is inspired from my years of living in a forest fire watch tower in british columbia which you can read more about in my book while you're relaxing here!
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