Panmure Island
Long before a lighthouse guided ships along this shore, Panmure Island was a seasonal gathering place for the Mi’kmaq. In summer, families dug clams, mussels, and quahaugs from the tidal flats, returning year after year to a landscape they knew well.
In the early 1800s, new stories began to take root. Scottish settlers arrived to make Panmure Island their permanent home, with Andrew MacDonald and his family being the first to settle here in 1805. In the years that followed, the Creeds and the Campbells joined them. By 1813, the Panmure Island Cemetery quietly marked the passing of generations.
Centuries later, Panmure Island remains connected to its past and to the land itself. A narrow causeway now links it to mainland Prince Edward Island, forming the sweeping barrier beach and dunes protected today as Panmure Island Provincial Park.
Panmure Island Lighthouse and Gift Shop
The Panmure Island Lighthouse, PEI’s oldest wooden beacon, is a striking image in this pastoral landscape. For more than 150 years, it has been a navigational aid for fishing and recreational boats. Over the years, the site also included a structure to house a fog alarm and a lightkeeper’s cottage. In bygone days, the lightkeeper’s position was highly coveted, due to its importance and the government salary that came with it. The first keeper of the light was William MacDonald, son of Archibald MacDonald.
Today, the lighthouse is home to a gift shop and many artifacts, including the original lantern, which was fueled by whale or seal oil. Climb to the top for an incredible panoramic view!
Panmure Island Horses
Did you meet the horses grazing in the field next to the lighthouse?
One of the most photographed herds on Prince Edward Island, this timeless scene is often remembered by visitors for its unmistakable sense of peace and natural beauty.