A unique and satisfying account of the colourful community of Washabuck, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and its people by way of the stories they told and the stories told about them. Most of the people, places and events that Vince MacLean brings to life in these pages are not there anymore – the Washabuck on these pages is the Washabuck that was. MacLean’s lifetime of listening to oral traditions and of his research of every written source he could find, combines for a compelling examination of both the place and its time. Washabuck the place is much more than geographical coordinates on a map; its time spans a few centuries. Mr. MacLean’s approach to the history of his community is unique and satisfying; we learn of its people by way of the stories they told and the stories told about them – a history rich in character without sacrificing facts and figures. These Were My People is Vince MacLean’s celebration of his community, his people.

Vince MacLean has spent a lifetime exploring local history. A retired Nova Scotia Community College teacher, Vince has spent his time fostering Celtic culture, local infrastructure and community initiatives. A long-time advocate of the Bras d’ Or Lake, he is truly passionate about its significance and relevant potential to the vitality of the province. Mr. MacLean was a contributing editor of In the Morning: Veterans of Victoria County (1999). He and his wife Charlotte live at MacKay Point, Washabuck. They have four children and four grandchildren.

Vincent W. MacLean's profile page