Did you know Nova Scotia is home to the largest number of lighthouses of any province in Canada?
I’ve always liked lighthouses — their connection to the past, the way they symbolize hope, and honestly, there’s just something mysterious and cool about them.
While Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, along the south shore, may be the most famous (and most photographed) lighthouse in Nova Scotia, I recently visited a charming, lesser-known Prim Point Lighthouse in Digby.
Prim Point Lighthouse
I enjoyed a scenic drive from the Annapolis Valley to the lighthouse that sits on a scenic bluff overlooking the ocean. Prim Point Lighthouse stands watch over the entrance to the Digby Gut and the Annapolis Basin. The lighthouse is not open to the public.
There are short trails surrounding the lighthouse so I spent some time taking in the views.
Now some history. The first light at Prim Point was in 1804, which consisted of a simple bonfire and a musket shot as warning signal. In the 1800s, an official lighthouse known as the Fundy Light was constructed. There were some upgrades over the years thanks to technology. In 1873 fire destroyed the original lighthouse. A new one went up in its place and in operation until 1964 when it was replaced with the existing lighthouse. (Source: NSLPS)
After my trip to Point Prim, I decided to do some lighthouse sleuthing. The Nova Scotia Lighthouse Preservation Society, founded in 1994, encourages Nova Scotians to preserve and promote their local lighthouses. The society maintains a database of more than 150 lighthouses, of which 90 are working and about 50 are accessible to the public.
What an amazing adventure – visiting all the lighthouses in Nova Scotia. It would require a lot of time and planning. Maybe someday.
Have you ever been in a lighthouse? Do they intrigue you too? I would love to hear your comments below.
