Coastal cottage on Grand Manan Island
The relative isolation of an island community isn’t for everybody, but for many it would be a dream come true. Today Doris shares with us her charming coastal cottage and the island where it is located…
My husband Kim and I have always been interested in the rocky coastline of northern Maine and Atlantic Canada. While visiting Maine and New Brunswick one summer we happened upon Grand Manan Island and took the ferry over to explore. I was smitten at once! The people of the island are warm and welcoming, and the the island is unspoiled and gorgeous.
Years passed and one day while looking at real estate online (a common occurrence) I saw this adorable little cottage on Grand Manan so I watched it online for months and months and months. Last summer while a friend and I were headed to vacation on Prince Edward Island we decided to take a side trip over to the island and have a look. That first visit happened to be when the Lupines were in bloom, adding to the charm of the cottage. Two weeks later I was back with my husband for a closer look and by the end of summer it was ours.
The cottage is 680 ft2 (63.2 m2). We are not sure of its age but it feels old. The previous owner had done most of the repairs and upgrades, leaving only the kitchen cabinetry and a plumbing issue to be finished. When you walk in the front door you can basically see the whole place. Entry, living and dining areas are located in the front room, with the kitchen and bath in the back rooms. The bedroom is accessed by a ladder in the front room.
The whole cottage is surrounded by a large deck for outdoor living when the weather is good. We have planted a small herb garden just off the deck and will add a vegetable garden when we retire. At some point we will build a small bedroom off the back as the ladder to the loft may become troublesome as we age.
The cottage is close enough for our children to go for a vacation or just visit over a long weekend. We try to be there as much as possible but are looking forward to retirement so we can spend the entire summer. Grand Manan has natural geological wonders of interest, hiking trails, whale watching, sea kayaking, beaches, light houses, a museum, an art gallery, a phenomenal bakery, eclectic shops and more. A wonderfully peaceful place to vacation…or live. I wish I was there right now!
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Photographs courtesy of the homeowner.
Text copyright 2015 SmallHouseBliss. All Rights Reserved.
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I love your dear house. Is it winterized? Year round access? It’s good that you’re tucked away, otherwise you would have loads of people popping by to look at it!
Yes the little place is winterized and has a woodstove as well as electric heat. It does have year round access, though the 90 minute ferry ride to the island can be a bit hairy at times in the winter.
Really beautiful! Love the surrounding area. Great job.
This is a beautiful, chock full of everything needed , you are soooo lucky,
This is just incredible. Thanks a lot for sharing.
My husband and I owned this cottage from the late 1980s until ~ 2000. I know some of its interesting history starting as a fisherman’s cabin. It is great to see it looking so loved. And you have such a fantastic view from your front window – one of the best on the island.
Hello Claire I just happened upon your comment! I would be very interested in knowing more about the cottage…are you still on the island? We feel so happy to have it and be in such a beautiful place. Thanks so much for writing.
Hello Doris We live in Ontario, haven’t been back to Grand Manan for ~ 6 years and miss it very much. I would love to talk to you. How can we arrange that? Or can I reach you by post>
So glad to hear from you again Claire, I’m going to have to look here more often. I live in New Hampshire and I hesitate to write personal information here.
Hi Claire,
I am going to look here more often. We live in New Hampshire and try to get to GM as often as possible. Do you have facebook?