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Welcome
Tucked away in the hills at the beginning of
the Appalachians, Inverness is part of the MRC de l’Érable, a territory
that lies in the Centre du Québec region. From the time of the Abenaki
hunting territories to the beginnings of the bronze industry, Inverness has
witnessed a number of waves of immigration. We invite you to follow the
stories of the first settlers, from the American loyalists and the
Scottish, to the British, Irish and French Canadians who have shaped this
territory and have passed down a rich historical heritage for us to discover.
The village of Inverness, once called the
“chief town of the Megantic County”, has a unique and rich past where
numerous cultures converged over the years. Its churches, cemeteries and
centennial homes still stand as a reminder of the years of great economic
and social activity. To discover Inverness with its rolling landscapes and
rivers is to get a glimpse of the vision of those who guided its
development, past and present.
The Celtic Way
In 1999, the Comité de développement
économique d’Inverness takes on as part of its mandate the promotion
of the municipality’s heritage and historical attractions. Two years later,
the committee creates the Celtic Way. Its mission consists in
reconstructing and spreading the history of Inverness, from its colonization
days to present day, and in showcasing the various historical attractions
that would favour socio-cultural development and attract tourism to the
area. The Celtic Way also contributed to the creation of jobs for its
citizens, namely for the youth hired as guides for the historic tour.
The year that followed the creation of The
Celtic Way, the Comité de développement économique acquired a
house located at 324 Gosford road south. A tour guide is now on hand to
welcome all visitors. Come and meet us at The Celtic Way to obtain tourist
information or to visit our souvenir shop which offers a wide variety of
Celtic objects and other arts and crafts made by our local artisans.
The Celtic Way was named in honour of the
first Scottish pioneers of Celtic descent who settled in Inverness (Picture
by Gilles Pelletier)
The historic tour
The historic tour of Inverness winds
through the rolling hills of the Appalachian Piedmont. Along the course,
you will discover the many churches and presbyteries as well as cemeteries
of various allegiances, Lysander Falls, and in the
village, the Anglican and Presbyterian churches, the Saint-Andrews
Cemetery, the Academy, the Art Gallery of Anne Renard as well as the
ancient courthouse now transformed into the Bronze Museum (Musée du
Bronze).
Since its inception, the Celtic Way offers
a guided historic tour, including an account of the township and the
village of Inverness from the time when the territory was occupied by its
first occupants (the Abenaki), followed by the arrival of the American
loyalists, the Scottish, the Irish and the French Canadians. To date,
numerous visitors from the region, Quebec City, Montreal and even Western
Canada, the United States and Europe have had the opportunity to learn
about the exceptional history and heritage of Inverness.
The tour is available as a guided walking
tour through the village, or as a guided bus tour for groups through the
village and its surroundings. The tour’s circuit can vary depending on the
time available and the type of bus transportation used. Using a map to
locate places and points of interest, cyclists and motorists can also enjoy
the circuit on their own. The tour contains nineteen points of interest and
covers over fifty kilometres of hilly roads and breathtaking landscapes.
Map in hand, you can even create your own circuit.
The village which is relatively flat can
easily be travelled by bicycle. For the more athletic types, the roads
surrounding the township can also be enjoyed, but be warned that many hills
await you. On your way to Joseph Lake, you will cross what was once the
first Scottish settler’s camp. Some roads remain unpaved and if you are
riding a mountain bike you will be able to take numerous paths to go deeper
into the forest. For those of you who prefer to explore the village
on foot, six interpretation panels containing information of the village’s
history have been placed at your disposal.
Landscape of rural route 7 in Inverness
(Picture by Gilles Pelletier).
Open to the public:
June 24th to Labour Day,
Wednesday to Sunday 10:30 am to 4:30 pm,
More availability for group reservations
Rates
Guided historic tour: 7 $ per person
Contact us at:
The Celtic Way
324, chemin Gosford Sud
Inverness, Qc. G0S 1K0
Tel: 418 453-3434
info@larouteceltique.org
cdei.inverness@gmail.com
We welcome you to the path of the first
settlers. Follow the historical tour of Inverness, once the Chief-town of
the Megantic County, among the breathtaking roads of the Appalachians. You
will see along the way churches, presbyteries and cemeteries of various
demonimations such as: Presbyterian, Anglican, Methodist,
Congregationalist, Roman Catholic and United Church. Discover Glen Lloyd,
Glen Murray, Campbell's Corners, Lipsey's Hill, Adderly, Lysander Falls,
the site of the annual Orange Picnic and more.
From the first hunting grounds of the Abenaki Indians to the development of
the bronze industry, Inverness has seen many waves of immigration: the
American Loyalists, the Scottish from the Isle of Arran, the English, the
Irish and the French Canadians. They all made their mark on this territory
and left a heritage for you to discover.
Click below to see the video presentation of the Celtic Way.
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