This vacation home for rent in Nova Scotia is elegant and simple in design, but has so much character. A 19th-century schoolhouse, it retains many original features, and lets its history speak for itself. Uncluttered, with strong lines and ample space for up to five guests, it boasts beautiful views of the Atlantic coastline and an extraordinary remote location.

This gorgeous little schoolhouse is not only a cool throwback to another time and place, but it’s located, according to its owners, at “the end of the Earth”. Which makes for a really unique experience.

By that, they mean that it sits between mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, on a remote peninsula in Nova Scotia. Over the years, local architect and owner Brian MacKay-Lyons has been creating new properties on this former farm, and this one was actually brought here from the community where he was born and raised. Dating back to 1830, it has clapboard walls, a cedar shingled roof, pine floorboards, and original windows from the period.

On the main level, the ‘great room’ stills feels like the original schoolhouse, and its open-plan layout has kitchen, dining and living areas, with a freestanding wood stove and restored wooden benches. The second floor has two bedrooms – a master with queen bed and modern wood stove, and a bunkroom sleeping area with two twin mattresses. Downstairs there is a sofa bed that can also sleep two. The house has its own six-person hot tub on a deck overlooking the ocean, and a private barbecue. 

The complex is made up of several structures, all of which are of great architectural interest and all of which can be rented, making it perfect for large groups or events. The property aims to be sustainable, with such features as free-roaming sheep, an organic vegetable garden and trout ponds, as well as solar energy.

This is a property for the adventurous, well off the beaten track – but perfect for relaxing getaways and creative endeavors. “If you’re looking for Motel 6, you don’t come here,” say the owners. “If you’re looking for nature and a physical relationship to nature — kayaking, swimming, surfing, fishing — you come here. If you want to be alone and write a book, you can do that as well.” Making this a very unique and appealing vacation home for rent in Nova Scotia.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

The house has its own washer and dryer in the basement. Its fully-equipped kitchen has fridge/freezer, oven, cook-top, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, kettle and coffeemaker. There is a TV with digital cable and a DVD player, a telephone and wireless internet. There is a barbecue and private parking.

AROUND

The peninsula on which the schoolhouse is located is very isolated, but there are plenty of diversions within reasonable reach – Mahone Bay, with its 460 or so islands, the little towns of Chester and Bridgewater, a little fishing village called Bluerocks, and the UNESCO World Heritage Town of Lunenberg. Across from the property are the LaHave Islands, which can be reached by kayak. Halifax is 1 1/4 hours away, and Cape Breton is slightly farther. 

The owners offer horseback riding lessons in the summer, and there are folk art and music festivals in the nearby village.  There is no public transport, and a car is recommended. 

LOCATION

Upper Kingsburg, Nova Scotia. Nearest airport: Halifax International Airport (130km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT

All of the seasons are great, but fall and off-season are two of the best, with the mildest climate on the south shore of Nova Scotia, east of Vancouver. The building has been winterized for year-round rentals.

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