Guysborough is a small town on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia, sitting at the head of Chedabucto Bay. One of the oldest settlements in the province, it dates back to the 1600s and has a long history tied to the fishing trade. Today it is a quiet, scenic stop on the drive between Halifax and Cape Breton, with a population of only a few hundred.
The town's main draw is the Old Court House Museum, which covers the area's Mi'kmaq, Acadian, Black Loyalist, and Scottish heritage. The waterfront is pleasant for a stroll, and the harbour still has a working fishing fleet. Chedabucto Bay itself offers good sea kayaking and birdwatching, particularly during the spring and fall migrations.
If you are driving the eastern shore, Guysborough makes a natural overnight stop. The surrounding countryside is rolling and forested, with hiking trails in the nearby hills and a handful of quiet beaches along the coast. The Guysborough Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail, follows a former rail line and is popular with cyclists and hikers alike. From here it is about two hours to the Canso Causeway and the start of Cape Breton Island.