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As much as a summer getaway is meant to be an escape, it should also feel like an immersion — an opportunity to plunge into the particular way of life that makes a setting unique. With that in mind, Ridge on the Chimney, a cluster of rental cabins on western Cape Breton Island, roots itself in Maritime tradition. Halifax-based studio MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects, long known for its soulful modern reinterpretations of East Coast vernacular architecture, modeled the compound’s four structures after modest coastal bunkies. Rugged yet dignified, the resulting architecture is an understated complement to its spectacular setting on a cliff overlooking the Northumberland Strait.

Two coastal modern rental cabins on Cape Breton Island designed by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects with gabled roofs and grey cedar cladding.
Photo by James Brittain

Granted, the project’s embrace of local vernacular is not just superficial — it is also a way to harness time-honoured lessons learned from building in the harsh regional climate. Western Cape Breton Island’s “Les Suêtes” winds can reach sustained speeds up to 100 kilometres per hour, with gusts twice as strong. Gabled barns and fish shacks have long demonstrated how to withstand these powerful gales, and MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple follows their example here, wrapping each of Ridge on the Chimney’s cabins in a taut skin with no roof overhang. 

Two coastal modern rental cabins on Cape Breton Island designed by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects with notched corner patios.
Photos by James Brittain
Four modern coastal rental cabins sit on a hill above the ocean.

Two of the bunkies adopt vertical cedar board siding, while the pair on either end feature cedar shakes. Thanks to natural weathering, all four have quickly acquired a worn grey finish that adds to their humble, authentic identity. Yet while the texture and overall geometry of these structures may pay tribute to local heritage, their designs still incorporate some modern flair. Recessed “bites” in each corner add an intriguing accent while forming a shielded entry porch.

A blue sofa looks out wraparound windows to the Northumberland Strait.
Photo by James Brittain

But as much as they may provide protection from the elements, MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple’s four coastal structures are also designed to showcase their one-of-a-kind vantage point. Inside, the buildings negotiate these dual roles by dividing activity into two key zones: a front “refuge” space (the bedrooms) that fosters a secluded sense of protection, and an open-concept “prospect” area that offers a more direct connection to the outdoors through sliding patio doors and expansive wraparound glazing.

A blue sofa sits in front of a wooden dining table with a kitchen to the left inside a wooden cabin with a pitched roof.
Photos by James Brittain
A wood-burning fireplace sits next to a bench built into a shelving unit with firewood tucked below it.

Continuing the showcase of Canadian design, many of the furnishings inside are sourced from the country’s numerous standout creatives. Lighting from Toronto’s Hollis + Morris joins dining tables by Quebec’s Woodstock & Cie and a wood-fired hot tub from AlumiTub. A fireplace from Stûv, while designed in Belgium, is manufactured in Quebec. Maritime makers are also placed front and centre: Pots and pans hail from PEI’s Meyer Cookware, while blankets were knitted by the province’s MacAusland’s Woollen Mills.

Photo by Matthew MacKay-Lyons

Ridge on the Chimney’s two smaller rentals are both one-bedroom setups that measure 47.85 square metres and 53.42 square metres, respectively, while the larger duo (both 118.45 square metres) introduce a second bedroom and a bunk room to sleep up to six people total. The quartet is arranged on the site in a formation that approximates an “F,” ensuring that each building gets its own uninterrupted view. Meanwhile, a communal firepit down the hill from the cottages offers guests an opportunity to cook together and meet their fellow travelers. Adding to the sense of community, a future phase of development plans to introduce a spa, as well as additional cottages and a cluster of private homes.

A grey cedar cabin with a pitched roof looks out to the Northumberland Strait.
Photo by James Brittain

For now, Ridge on the Chimney offers Cape Breton Island travellers the opportunity to experience Nova Scotia in a coastal modern rental cabin that feels true to its setting — delivering not just incredible sightlines, but also a strong point of view on life.

Coastal Modern Rental Cabins Offer a Slice of Cape Breton Life

A quartet of gabled wood-clad bunkies designed by MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects looks out over the Northumberland Strait.

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