A number of years ago I had the privilege of living in Kincardine for a few years. My most vivid memories of Kincardine are of Lake Huron, and of how it could be angry one moment and serine and calm the next.
“Main street Kincardine.”
Memories of Kincardine include dining at many of its fine restaurants, snowmobiling with friends in the winter, and getting together with friends for arousing games of ping-pong.
“Main street building”
Summer in Kincardine was like most lakeside communities, full of fun outdoor activities, walks along the beach, and visiting festivals and events in the area.
“Kincardine’s Victoria Park”
One such event happens every Saturday night during the summer. It is known as the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band parade. This is were Kincardine’s Pipe Band marches down the main street to Victoria Park. They are followed by town’s people and visitors alike. In Victoria Park the band performs for all those who have gathered.
“Statue highlighting Kincardine’s Scottish heritage.”
I used to live in a second floor apartment right across from the park. I can remember many Saturday nights sitting at the front window, watching the parade and listening to the music. It was always an awesome spectacle!
“Lake Huron in the spring.”
Although winters in the area can be very beautiful they can also be very dangerous. I can remember on a few occasions driving from Port Elgin to Kincardine and getting caught in blinding white-out. If you have never experienced a white-out, I can tell you that it is a most terrifying experience! White-out can occurs when strong winds blow across Lake Huron and then hits the shores and fields, blowing snow in every direction. When you are caught in a white-out storm, you have no sense of movement or direction. The snow banks along the highway can be as high as a transport truck, so there is no-where to pull off the road. You can’t stop driving and you can only pray that no large vehicles comes on your side of the road and crashes into you! The only good part of this experience is when you finally emerge from the blinding snow and are safe! Fortunately these storms don’t occur often but when they do it’s certainly best to stay off the roads and hunker down in front of a warm fire.
“Kincardine lighthouse”
Kincardine has a beautiful lighthouse. Here is what the Bruce Coast Lighthouse website says about the Kincardine Lighthouse ~ “Built into the bank of the Penetangore River in 1881, the Kincardine lighthouse serviced a busy fishing and local salt shipping industry. This octagonal wooden tower is the only ‘downtown’ lighthouse on the Bruce Coast. The Kincardine lighthouse stands 24.4 metres (74 feet) tall, and is built above a two-story light keeper’s house.“
“Kincardine Harbour and Marina.”
“The Kincardine Marina is halfway between Sarnia and the North Channel. The harbour is open 24 hours a day, and has over the years, been a haven of refuge for weary boaters. No boat has ever been turned away from Kincardine, even 70 footers have been known to shelter at the harbour when Lake Huron’s waves become too wild. The marina can accommodate over 150 boats with 14 slips reserved for transient boaters.” Source ~ Kincardine Yacht Club website
“Kincardine Trails”
Sunsets.com tells us ~ “With 22Km of trails developed and more on the way, Kincardine Trails are a great activity for large groups, families or solo hikers. The multi-use trails are often occupied by hikers, mountain bikers, and geocachers.“
“Overlooking Kincardine’s beach area.”
“Kincardine’s main beach area blends the beauty of an unspoiled beach with the unique history of its community. The restored lighthouse sits guard over the harbour which is a mere saunter to the pier, water, the boardwalk, playground equipment, washrooms, changerooms, snackbar and the sand. Play a game of beach volleyball or meander along the boardwalk, which stretches from the harbour to St. Albert Street.” Source ~ http://www.sunsets.com/kincardine
“Boardwalk gazebo on Kincardine beach”
“The Kincardine boardwalk, bordering the beach, is a great place to stroll or jog and catch a bit of exercise. The boardwalk can be a learning experience, too. Soak up some local marine history as well as the sun through the interpretive signs with information about local shipwrecks.” Source ~ http://www.sunsets.com/kincardine
“WILL YE NO COME BACK AGAIN ~ Kincardine wall mural”
For all of this, Kincardine was a great place to live and it’s now a wonderful place to visit! Kincardine is a wonderful place to visit and has some of their great festivals and events. One such event is the Kincardine Scottish Festival. It has gained province wide recognition as one of the province’s best Scottish festivals. Other interesting communities near Kincardine include Goderich, Port Elgin, Southampton and Owen Sound.
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