Quick Facts
About Pictou
Pictou calls itself the 'Birthplace of New Scotland' because the ship Hector landed here in 1773 carrying the first wave of Scottish Highland settlers whose descendants reshaped the culture of the entire province, and a full-sized working replica of that three-masted timber ship now floats at the Hector Heritage Quay in the town's harbour. The waterfront retains its 19th-century shipbuilding-era stone and brick, and from the harbour you can see across the warm waters of the Northumberland Strait to the low shores of Prince Edward Island.
History
Long the site of a Mi'kmaq seasonal camp and briefly an Acadian settlement, Pictou was formally established by a group of Pennsylvania-based businessmen in 1767 known as the 'Philadelphia Company,' but its defining moment came with the arrival of the elderly brig Hector from Loch Broom in Scotland on September 15, 1773, carrying 189 Highlanders. Those settlers and the thousands of Gaels who followed earned Pictou its motto 'The Birthplace of New Scotland,' and the town went on to become a major wooden-shipbuilding and coal-shipping centre before re-emerging today as a heritage port and departure point for the nearby Caribou–PEI ferry.
Getting There
Distance from Halifax: 165 km (125 minutes)
Route: NS-102 N to Trans-Canada 104 E, then NS-106 N to Exit 6 (Pictou)
Top Attractions
- 🛶Hector Heritage Quay & Hector ship replica
- 🛶Pictou waterfront & fisheries museum
- 🛶deCoste Performing Arts Centre
- 🛶Caribou–Pictou ferry to Prince Edward Island (5 min away)
Best For
Annual Events
- 📅Pictou Lobster Carnival (July)
- 📅New Scotland Week (July)
Explore Nearby
🏖️ Beaches
🗼 Lighthouses
Where to Stay in Pictou
Find hotels, B&Bs, and vacation rentals in Pictou and the surrounding Northumberland Shore area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pictou, Nova Scotia?
Pictou is in Nova Scotia's Northumberland Shore. This site's Pictou guide covers attractions, dining, and points of interest with visiting practicalities.
What is Pictou known for?
Pictou is best known for the 1773 arrival of Scottish settlers aboard the Ship Hector, the birthplace of New Scotland.
What are the top attractions in Pictou?
the Hector Heritage Quay with the replica Ship Hector leads the list. The Pictou page on this site curates attractions, dining, and points of interest in one place.
How much time should I spend in Pictou?
Most visitors spend a half to a full day in Pictou, pairing it with nearby coastal towns for a two- to three-day loop.