'Brier Island' is an island in the
Bay of Fundy in
Digby County, Nova Scotia.
The island is the western-most part of
Nova Scotia with
Long Island lying immediately northeast; both islands constitute part of the
Digby Neck. Brier Island is about 4 miles (7.6 kilometres) long and 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) wide. The village of
Westport is located on the island.
Industries in the area include commercial
fishing and
whale watching tours. The island is also an important stopover point for
migrating birds.
This area has had more than its share of
shipwrecks and the island has three
lighthouses. The wreck of the "Aurora" in 1908 is said to have provided the lumber for the Westport Community Hall.
The island's name is believed by some to come from the wild
brier roses found there, another possibility is that the original name of the Island was "Bryer's" after a New England captain who was one of the first to spend any time there.
Because of all its coves the island is approximately 25 kilometres around.
This island was also the childhood home of
Joshua Slocum a famous sailor who was the first man to sail around the world alone.