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Fintry Provincial Park and Protected Area

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Coordinates: 50°08′16″N 119°30′38″W / 50.13778°N 119.51056°W / 50.13778; -119.51056
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fintry Provincial Park and Protected Area
Fintry Falls, the main attraction of the park.
Map showing the location of Fintry Provincial Park and Protected Area
Map showing the location of Fintry Provincial Park and Protected Area
Location in British Columbia
Map showing the location of Fintry Provincial Park and Protected Area
Map showing the location of Fintry Provincial Park and Protected Area
Map
Interactive map of Fintry Provincial Park and Protected Area
LocationFintry, British Columbia, Canada
Coordinates50°08′16″N 119°30′38″W / 50.13778°N 119.51056°W / 50.13778; -119.51056
Area5.23 km2 (2.02 sq mi)
EstablishedApril 18, 2001
Visitors107,611 (in 2017-18)[2]

Fintry Provincial Park and Protected Area, also known as Fintry Estate, is a provincial park located in the town of Fintry, British Columbia, Canada.[3] It is situated approximately 34 km (21 mi) north of Kelowna and 49 km (30 mi) south of Vernon on the westside of the Okanagan Lake.[4]

The estate's original manor house and octagonal dairy barn have been restored and are open for tours in the summer.

Campsites are located in close proximity to the lake and includes a nearby dock. A hike on the opposite side of the park also features a short but steep stair-climb to Fintry Falls of Shorts Creek, the park's main feature.

Dairy farm (1924-1939)

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The Fintry Estate, located on the western shore of Okanagan Lake, British Columbia, was a significant center for dairy innovation in the early 20th century. Established by Captain James Cameron Dun-Waters, an affluent Scotsman known as the "Laird of Fintry",[5] the estate was remarkably self-sufficient, utilizing a hydroelectric system powered by Pelton turbines to provide electricity and irrigation long before the surrounding region.[6] Dun-Waters introduced Ayrshire cattle to Western Canada and sought to distribute them in the region, believing their temperament and productivity were ideal for the climate.[5]

To establish a premier "aristocrat" herd, Dun-Waters collaborated with the Earl of Stair to source elite stock from the Lochinch and Lessnessock estates in Scotland. Notable cows imported to the estate included Fintry Honeysuckle, Bumblebee, Alloway Miss Crummie, and Fintry Lucky Girl. The breeding program was anchored by prominent bulls such as Chapmanton Indicator and Noble Betsy Wylie. The quality of the Fintry herd earned a significant reputation among local creameries, leading to a robust export business.

The centerpiece of the dairy operation was a specialized octagonal barn. This architectural landmark was designed for maximum efficiency and sanitation; its radial layout featured a central feed distribution system and allowed for rapid waste removal. The design minimized labor while maintaining high standards of animal welfare for the prized herd.

In 1938, facing terminal illness and having no heirs, Dun-Waters transferred the estate to the Fairbridge Farm Schools Society for the symbolic sum of one dollar. He further ensured the survival of his breeding work by gifting a foundational herd to the University of British Columbia to support their agricultural department. Following his death in 1939, Dun-Waters' ashes were scattered on the hills overlooking the estate.[6] The Ayrshires were exported to China and the provincial government assumed control.

  • Fintry Ayrshire herd in 1924
    Fintry Ayrshire herd in 1924
  • Honeysuckle and Bumblebee Ayrshire cattle, 1920s
    Honeysuckle and Bumblebee Ayrshire cattle, 1920s
  • Dairy barns, 2025
    Dairy barns, 2025
  • Fruit-packing house and steamship wharf, 2025
    Fruit-packing house and steamship wharf, 2025

References

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  1. ^ "Fintry Park". Protected Planet. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  2. ^ "BC Parks 2017/18 Statistics Report" (PDF). bcparks.ca. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
  3. ^ "Fintry Park". BC Geographical Names.
  4. ^ BC Parks: Fintry Provincial Park and Protected Area
  5. ^ a b "The Fintry Ayrshires". Vernon Museum. 2024-06-22. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
  6. ^ a b "The Early Dairy Industry in B.C." The Fintry Ayrshires: Scottish Cattle in the Far West. Retrieved 2026-02-03.
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