Welcome to Amherst Island
Amherst Island is a close-knit community located at the east end of Lake Ontario, 15 minutes west of Kingston in Loyalist Township (part of Lennox and Addington County). Whether you’re a long-time resident, newcomer, or just visiting, we’re delighted to have you here.
Amherst Island is a place where natural beauty meets rich history, and where neighbours come together to create a vibrant and supportive community. This website is designed to be your go-to resource for all things Amherst Island, offering a wealth of information and services tailored to the needs of visitors and residents.
Explore the site to learn more about the unique charm of Amherst Island, discover ways to get involved, and access the resources you need. We are proud of our island and the strong community spirit that defines us, and we invite you to dive in and experience all that Amherst Island has to offer.
This page is offered and maintained by the Amherst Island Community Alliance.
Points of Interest Map
Click on any of the points of interest on the map above to learn more about the business or location it represents. The map above is broken down into businesses, geographic areas of interest, etc. The map is printable through Google Maps.
Making eye contact with a young Red-tailed hawk!
#redtailedhawks #birdsofprey #amherstisland #birdsofamherstisland #makingeyecontact #hawksofinstagram #ontariobirdsofprey #ontariohawks #raw_allnature #raw_canada
#rebels_nature #rebels_birds #birdsonawire #imagesofcanada #hawksofcanada #bestofthe_greatwhitenorth #yes_globe
#natgeowild #natgeoyourshot #canonphoto #canonphotography #canoncanada #canonr5
#wildlifephotography
Fun day on Amherst Island! ✨ I was looking forward to returning after a memorable encounter with a bird on my last trip, and once again, the island didn’t disappoint. Amherst Island is one of Ontario’s best spots for winter birding—an absolute paradise for waterfowl and shorebird enthusiasts. The easternmost part of the island is a hotspot! 🦢🦆 🦉
hawks, harriers, owls, shrikes and waterfowl Aside from the birds, I had to stop by my favourite wool shop in Canada, Topsy Farms. Their Canadian-made wool products are a cozy dream, and Kyle’s hospitality made the experience even better. Big thanks to him for another lovely visit! 🧶
The real cherry on top, though, was bumping into an old coworker. It’s been years, but her light still shines so brightly—it was a reminder of the magic that can happen when paths cross unexpectedly. 🌟
A perfect day all around! #AmherstIsland #Birding #TopsyFarms #CanadianMade #WinterBirding #UnexpectedReunions #LakeOntario
Fun day on Amherst Island! ✨ I was looking forward to returning after a memorable encounter with a bird on my last trip, and once again, the island didn’t disappoint. Amherst Island is one of Ontario’s best spots for winter birding—an absolute paradise for waterfowl and shorebird enthusiasts. The easternmost part of the island is a hotspot! 🦢🦆 🦉
hawks, harriers, owls, shrikes and waterfowl. Aside from the birds, I had to stop by my favourite wool shop in Canada, Topsy Farms. Their Canadian-made wool products are a cozy dream, and Kyle’s hospitality made the experience even better. Big thanks to him for another lovely visit! 🧶
The real cherry on top, though, was bumping into an old coworker. It’s been years, but her light still shines so brightly—it was a reminder of the magic that can happen when paths cross unexpectedly. 🌟
A perfect day all around! #AmherstIsland #Birding #TopsyFarms #CanadianMade #WinterBirding #UnexpectedReunions #LakeOntario
Moving the Hippies
This photo is probably from 1974.
The Commune Journals
Topsy Farms was founded as a hippie commune called Headlands on January 1st, 1972.
We`re going to post an excerpt from Ian`s journal periodically throughout the year.
The trick will be knowing what to share and what to withhold - there are some pretty juicy love-triangles, are love-dodecahedron`s a thing?
Ian will make these bland, matter-of-fact daily statements and then follow up with insight.
Ian can be very funny sometimes.
January 13th 1972
Started moving from the Presbyterian Manse to the Frame House today - pump not working
Jan 22nd 1972
More moving at farm - put up some book shelves
Everyone at the commune is a "doer", we probably need a few creative people - artists and poets etc - to balance things out
Jan 23 1972
More moving
Agreed on name of (farming) operation - Amherst Island Organic Farms
(later this was changed to Topsy Farms)
Jan 28 1972
Met with Barry Savage (chartered accountant)
I forget how we found him - he is a very square kind of guy that did his best to help us sort out our finances
Perhaps our greatest problem is how to keep an equitable balance of work and money
......
The Headlands Community and its militant farming wing, Topsy Farms did a good job keeping score of work and money.
It is perhaps our single greatest accomplishment that over the last 50 years we have seen 16 owners/ members move on - their labour, loans, and contributions calculated and paid out.
Much of the land that surrounds the current farm property were part of those buyouts (specifically to the west and south - Lot 64).
Splitting up is hard to do.
Ian says: "we always knew who got the marbles".
One hour of Alice taking care of the kids equals one hour of David working on the tractor.
This is truly radical thinking for the time.
It feels good to be part of a place that built equity into its very foundation.
Hold on,
Everything is going to be ok,
The hippies are coming.
.
.
#WinterMakesWool
#hippies #hippies #hippiestyle #hippiefarm #headlands #island #country #headlandscollection #amherstisland #hippiesofheadlands #amherstislandorganicfarms