We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Lochaber Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada

Nova Scotia’s Lochaber Lake is nestled near the center of the main island near the Northumberland Shore region. Lochaber Lake shows its Scottish heritage proudly in its name. The name is taken from the Loch Abar region of the Scottish Highlands, the origin of most of the early European settlers. Long and narrow, Lochaber Lake is what is known as a ‘ribbon lake’, created by the scouring…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lochaber Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Lochaber Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Lochaber Lake, NS

    Lake Locations: Canada - Nova Scotia, Canada -

    Nova Scotia’s Lochaber Lake is nestled near the center of the main island near the Northumberland Shore region. Lochaber Lake shows its Scottish heritage proudly in its name. The name is taken from the Loch Abar region of the Scottish Highlands, the origin of most of the early European settlers. Long and narrow, Lochaber Lake is what is known as a ‘ribbon lake’, created by the scouring actions of glaciers long past.

    Lochaber Lake is less than half a mile wide and several miles long. The lake is deep, reaching 172 feet near the center and currently hosts many rowing regattas each summer. The largest community of Lochaber has recently completed a new community center that will serve as the headquarters to the StFX and Antigonish Rowing Clubs. A boathouse to shelter the clubs will soon be built, and their first international championship rowing competition has already been held on Lochaber Lake. Lessons are offered for beginning rowers. Many seasonal and year-round cottages grace the southwestern shore, with many of the property owners commuting from the City of Antigonish a few miles to the north. Cottagers enjoy boating, water sports and fishing, with plenty of room for every sport. Much of the shoreline is undeveloped and heavily wooded.

    In the past, brook trout had been stocked in Lochaber lake. Little is found online about the current fishery, although there is some mention of trout fishing. With eight incoming streams, spawning territory for trout of all types remains good. Reports describe lake trout, rainbow smelt and other cold-water species in Lochaber Lake. Ice fishing is popular in wintertime. It doesn’t appear that either Antigonish County or the Province of Nova Scotia provides any public boat launching facilities, although some may exist. Cottage owners enjoy kayaking, canoeing, power boating and swimming on the 759-acre lake.

    Despite a growing density of housing, Lochaber Lake’s water quality remains good. A community organization, the Friends of Lochaber Lake, works with residents and visitors to monitor water quality and educate property owners about environmentally healthy lakeshore plantings and construction. The group works to encourage a sense of community so that all will feel they have an investment in the health of their lake. Farming has evolved to specialize in strawberry growing, with an annual Strawberry Festival held each summer. Farming in the area is primarily confined to strawberries, blueberries and growing vegetables for the farmers’ market trade. U-Pick farms and roadside stands are a common sight. Many of the old logging roads are now public and offer plenty of space for both nature observance and bicycling. In winter, the same old roads are popular for cross-country skiing. Discussion is ongoing about developing a formal trail system, and several local informal trails can lead the adventurous to lovely waterfalls and scenic delights.

    The Town of Antigonish is less than 15 miles to the north along what Nova Scotia calls the ‘Sunshine Coast’. The beaches along the shoreline boast the ‘warmest water north of the Carolinas’ and are a popular spot for a swimming holiday. Antigonish is still a strongly Scottish town, and the Antigonish Highland Games, in existence for over 150 years, bring a huge influx of visitors to the town. As home to St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish offers the wide range of arts and cultural events found in a typical college town. Some of the better known include the Antigonish Summer Theatre, Antigonight-Art After Dark Festival, and the Antigonish International Film Festival. The Town of Antigonish has numerous restaurants and choices for lodgings. Hotels, inns and bed & breakfasts can all be found in or near the town.

    Shorelines along the longest margins of Lochaber Lake are relatively steep, making it difficult to either farm or build near the shore. Only the north and south ends of the lake, where the North River St. Marys flows in and out, provide low wetlands. Familiar with inhabiting steep sloping lands from their homeland, a number of Scottish families settled here soon after 1810. The lake’s somewhat colorful history reflects the religious rivalry that engaged two denominations of Scottish Presbyterians and the few Irish Catholic families. After a couple of congregation splits and rival churches, the Presbyterian community finally resolved their differences and settled down into one church. The Catholic congregation remained faithful to their church all along. Regardless of their private religious disputes, the new settlers worked with great vigor to create a lakeshore community complete with productive farms and timber businesses. It has only been in recent years that Lochaber Lake has been home to a large cottage community, primarily along the southwestern lakefront.

    Lochaber Lake is located about 140 miles northeast of Halifax along Highway 7. Campgrounds can be found in the area, although there don’t appear to be any at Lochaber Lake. Numerous private cottages are rented on a short-term basis and make a stay at Lochaber Lake possible any time of year. Enjoy the views, the lake breezes and the local trails. Gorge yourself on strawberries, sample the jams and preserves . . and just plain enjoy laid-back country lake living.

    Things to Do at Lochaber Lake

    These are some activities in the Lochaber Lake, NS area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Waterfall

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lochaber Lake?

    Lochaber Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Brook Trout
    • Lake Trout
    • Smelt
    • Trout
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Lochaber Lake

    If you’re considering a Lochaber Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lochaber Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Lochaber Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Lochaber Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Surface Area: 759 acres

    Shoreline Length: 11 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 99 feet

    Average Depth: 72 feet

    Maximum Depth: 172 feet

    Water Volume: 66,900 acre-feet

    Water Residence Time: 1 year

    Drainage Area: 23 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Oligotrophic

    Lochaber Lake Map

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Shubenacadie Grand Lake

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Folly Lake, NS

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Lake Midway

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Lochaber Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Lochaber Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Lochaber Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Lochaber Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Lochaber Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: