Things To See & Do in Pictou and Pictou County

Pictou Lodge is located just 5 km east of the historic town of Pictou. Known as "the birthplace of New Scotland", it was here the province's first Scottish Highlanders landed on the Ship Hector in 1773. Pictou boasts an award-winning waterfront development that includes the Hector Heritage Quay, where a full scale replica of the Hector was built using traditional ship building techniques. Learn about the ship and its passengers at the interpretive centre, or watch the traditional carpenters and blacksmith at work. Other area attractions include:

• McCulloch House Museum - the home of scientist, naturalist and educator Thomas McCulloch, restored to reflect his life in the early 19th century
• Hector National Exhibit Centre - a centre for genealogical research and fine art exhibits
• deCoste Entertainment Centre - informal traditional ceilidhs throughout July and August; performing arts from March to December; Hector Festival each August celebrating the landing of the Ship Hector
• Northumberland Fisheries Museum - a wide range of displays and artifacts about fishing from the 19th and 20th centuries, including a collection of photography dating from 1900 to 1950
• Nova Scotia Museum of Industry - Atlantic Canada's largest museum featuring hands-on exhibits and interpretive programs, a belt-driven working machine shop, and 'Shaping the Future' gallery exploring today's technology.