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Lake Ainslie is the largest natural freshwater lake in Nova Scotia and stretches in a triangular shape out towards the north. The Lake is approximately 20 kilometers long and 3 to 5 km in width in various places. The Southwest Margaree River starts at the northeast corner of the Lake, in Scotsville, and empties into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
Lake Ainslie is located on the Western side of Cape Breton Island, and is a rural area, with small communities settled around the Lake. There are many active community groups in the area, and Lake Ainslie is a beautiful place to experience all four seasons.
The area was settled by Scottish immigrants around 1820. Gaelic speaking Highlanders came from different parts of Scotland; The Isle of Muck, Island of Kell, Tulloch, Mull, Skye, North and South Uist and settled in communities around the Lake. The communities on either side of the Lake have traditionally been separated by distance and culture. In early days of settlement, Catholics settled on the West side of the Lake and Protestants on the East side.

There is not a lot known about Lake Ainslie before settlement. The Lake has important significance to the Mi'kmaq people of Unama'ki (Cape Breton Island). A number of bald eagles nest around the lake.
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In 1991, with the active support of the Margaree River Advisory Committee, the Margaree-Lake Ainslie System became the first river in Nova Scotia to be nominated to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.
The Lake was named after George Robert Ainslie who was Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia from 1816 to 1820.

Driving Distances:
Whycocomagh (closest area for the essentials) - 15 mins
-Farmer's Daughter Country Market
-Ty's Take-Out - pub fare eats
-Whycocomagh Food Market & Liquor Store
-Home Hardware Building Supplies
-Esso Gas Station
-RBC Royal Bank
-Irving Gas Station (Tim Horton's & The Seafood Shack)
Inverness (Cabot Trail) - 22 mins
Baddeck - 42 mins
Cheticamp (Cabot Trail) - 52 mins
Port Hawkesbury - 58 mins
Pleasant Bay (Cabot Trail) - 1 hr 25 mins
Sydney - 1 hr 31 mins
Ingonish (Cabot Trail) - 2 hrs 4 mins
Golfing:
Cabot Cliffs (Inverness/Cabot Trail) - 29 mins
Bell Bay Golf Club (Baddeck) - 44 mins
Le Portage Golf Club (Cheticamp/Cabot Trail) - 55 mins
Cape Breton Highlands Links (Ingonish/Cabot Trail) - 1 hr 57 mins
Visiting Lake Ainslie:
A drive or bike ride around the Lake is a lovely way to spend a day, but an even nicer way to spend some time is stopping at the sites around the Lake and taking part in community events.
Points of Interest:
If travelling from the Sydney area on the TCH be sure to stop at the Bayside Garden Centre and Charlene’s Bayside Café to fill up on chowder & tea. Take a right onto Route 252, which will take you to Route 395 East Lake Ainslie. If you are coming from the Canso Causeway on the TCH, take a left in Whycocomagh onto Route 252.
If you are coming from Route 19, in the Strathlorne area near Inverness, take the Strathlorne- Scotsville Road which connects to West Lake Ainslie or Route 395.
If you are looking for dessert, stop at MacKinnon’s Campground for some ice cream. MacKinnon’s is one of two campgrounds on the East side of the Lake where you can tent or stay with a travel trailer. Along with MacKinnon’s Campground is Ainslie Village, with views of the sunset and access to the Lake.
Swim or a walk along the beach at the Trout Brook Provincial Park Beach, which is a beautiful sandy beach with warm water and beautiful views. From this beach you can see eagles flying overhead, or watching the Lake for their next meal. This is also a great area to stop to fish for an afternoon.
Travelling further along Route 395 you can stop at the Nature Lost & Found Art Gallery where you can view and purchase original art.
To learn about the history & culture of the area, stop at the MacDonald House Museum where you can learn about life of early settlers at Lake Ainslie. On the Museum site you can explore the MacDonald house, one room schoolhouse and barn. The site itself has gorgeous views of the Lake and walking trails on site.
Arts & craft are alive and well at Lake Ainslie, and the second art gallery you will come across is Kirkwood Gallery. Kirkwood Gallery is also an antique shop and the proprietors are very knowledgeable about the history, culture and nature of Lake Ainslie.
Genealogy & history buffs can stop at the MacKinnon Cairn commemorating a highly accomplished family from the area, or can view the monuments at local cemeteries, including the Pioneer Cemetery of the area’s earliest settlers.
Be sure to attend a dinner or live music event at the Lake Ainslie Volunteer Fire Hall in Scotsville. While in Scotsville you can also stop at Patterson’s General Store to fill up on snacks or to mail some postcards, and stop to check out the Margaree River. You are a very short drive to Egypt Falls and the other scenic areas of the Margarees.
Turn left at Patterson’s means you leave Route 395 and you are now on the Strathlorne- Scotsville Road heading toward Kenloch and Inverness.
Before leaving Scotsville, stop in at the Scotsville School of Crafts, owned by the Lake Ainslie Weaver’s & Craft Guild where you will find one of a kind items in the gift shop with local hand made goods, woven, knitted, sewn, as well as art and other hand made crafts. The School of Crafts is also a C@P site where you can access the Internet to check your e-mail, make photocopies or send a fax.
The drive or bike ride through Kenloch will give you beautiful views of the Lake. When you arrive at the fork in the road, take a left and you will now be travelling along the West side of Lake Ainslie. As you continue along on the West side of the Lake you will also find places to stay, such as Nowen Family Cottages or the lovely Tulloch Inn. You can also have a fantastic home cooked meal at the Tulloch Inn.
Enjoy the Lake, community events, history and culture of the area. Lake Ainslie Firemen’s Ceilidh Days are a highlight of the summer, as are the weekly dances and a trip to the MacDonald House Museum has something for all ages. In the Fall the Lake Ainslie Weaver’s Guild will host events as part of the Celtic - Colours International Festival, and there are trails for snowmobiling and cross country skiing in the winter as well.