Ontario has deep ties to Scottish heritage, but few places celebrate those roots like Kincardine. The picturesque Lake Huron beach community is nestled along the province’s west coast between Goderich and Port Elgin, about three hours from Toronto, and proudly embraces its Scottish identity.
One of the town’s most recognizable landmarks is the historic Kincardine Lighthouse. It was built in 1881 and overlooks the mouth of the Penetangore River and Kincardine Harbour. Visitors can climb to the top for views over the waterfront during the warmer months, and if you stick around until evening, as the sun begins to disappear across Lake Huron, you’ll hear the unmistakable sound of bagpipes drifting over the waterfront!
The Phantom Piper tradition sees a member of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band play from the top of the lighthouse at sunset in honour of Donald Sinclair, a legendary piper from the 19th century. According to local legend, in 1856, Donald Sinclair played his bagpipes aboard a vessel lost in a storm near Kincardine. A piper on shore answered the call, helping guide the boat and its passengers safely to land.
And the bagpipes don’t stop there. Since 1948, the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band has taken over Queen St. every Saturday night during the summer season, rain or shine, marching along the town’s main street before returning to Victoria Park (and visitors and locals are encouraged to fall in behind and join the procession!).
The town’s sandy beaches are just as enviable. Station Beach is a short walk from downtown and has a wide stretch of sand and shallow water, with a gradual slope into Lake Huron. A boardwalk runs alongside the beach, making it the perfect spot for a waterfront stroll while learning a little about the area’s past (there are interpretive signs detailing its maritime history and shipwrecks). Station Beach has also become one of Ontario’s Great Lakes surfing spots, especially from late summer into the fall, when cooler weather and stronger winds can send bigger waves rolling toward shore.
For a bit more solitude, head south to Boiler Beach: this shoreline is less than a 10-minute drive from Station Beach and has an unusual piece of local history hiding in plain sight! The beach takes its name from the rusted boiler of the Erie Belle, a steamship that exploded during a rescue attempt in 1883. More than 140 years later, the remains can still be spotted along the shoreline.
And because a beach-town trip demands fish and chips, Erie Belle Restaurant is a popular eating hub for locals (and it’s just steps from the waterfront). The restaurant has been around for more than 35 years and specializes in traditional English-style fish and chips.
For dinner with a view, The Bruce Kincardine overlooks the lighthouse and harbour, with a lake-facing patio that makes it a charming stop around sunset. Or make a night of it at George’s on Harbour, an upscale harbourfront spot with patios and a menu spanning fresh pasta, pizza and steaks.
And if one Lake Huron escape isn’t enough, Kincardine is the perfect starting point for another one of the region’s most unusual small-town experiences: about 40 minutes away is a small Ontario town where you can watch the sunset twice in one night.