Pictou

Pictou is a small town in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Situated on the north-western shore of a natural harbour, it is most well-known for its claim to be the birthplace of new Scotland after the landing of the first settlers to come to Nova Scotia directly from Scotland in 1773. There are many old buildings to see, an attractive waterfront and several museums.

Get in

By road:

Speed demons coming from New Brunswick, Cape Breton or Halifax can get to Pictou quickly via the Trans-Canada Highway TCH 104 and the short connecting highway 106. A more leisurely drive from New Brunswick can be taken along Trunk 6.

By ferry:

It's the closest town in Nova Scotia to the Prince Edward Island ferry

Get around

• Walk - around town - it's only 2 km from one end of downtown to the other.
• Drive - around to the different attractions in Pictou County
• Cabs - a $5 cab ride gets you just about anywhere

See

Events

• The Pictou Lobster Carnival in July
• The Hector Homecoming in September

Attractions and Monuments

• 🌍 deCoste Centre, 99 Water St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Box Office: M-F 11:30AM-5PM. The local performing arts theatre. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Hector Heritage Quay (The Ship Hector), 33 Caladh Avenue, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 10AM-4PM, May 30th-October 12th. The replica Ship Hector and the Hector Quay re-tells the story of the first wave of two hundred Scottish Highlanders who arrived in Pictou aboard the ship Hector, and pays a dramatic tribute to their proud Highland spirit. In addition to the full size replica of the Hector, the Quay also has an Interpretive Centre telling the story of these early settlers, a blacksmith shop, a carpentry shop as well as merchandise available on site. $8 Adults, $6 Seniors, $3 Students, $20 Family. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 McCulloch House Museum, 86 Haliburton Rd, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Museum (open June-September or by appointment) and genealogy centre. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Northumberland Fisheries Museum, 21 Caladh Ave, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Explore the heritage and culture of the fishing industry and boatbuilding. Adopt a lobster. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 No. 2 Construction Battalion Monument, 87 Caladh Ave. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Pictou Railway Station (Intercolonial), 71 Front St. (updated Nov 2017)
• Pictou Waterfront
• The local Beaches
• Friendly locals
• The Pictou Lodge
• Historic Stone Buildings
• Water Street

Do

Buy

Local Crafts. Also, there is a Sobeys Food & Drug Store near Highway 106.

• 🌍 Grohmann Knives, 116 Water Street, toll-free: [phone]. Locally-made knives for kitchen and outdoor uses. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Mrs. MacGregor's Shortbreads, 59 Water St, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Bakery (updated Nov 2017)

Eat

Lobster

• 🌍 Acropole Pizza and Donair, 8 Church St, ☎ [phone]. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Crown Pizza, 31 Front St, ☎ [phone]. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Sharon's Place, 12 Front St, ☎ [phone]. (updated Nov 2017)

Drink

Local pubs

• 🌍 Harbour house ales and spirits, 41 Coleraine St. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Highlander Pub, 16 Twining St, ☎ [phone]. (updated Nov 2017)

Sleep

Many fine Motels and Bed & Breakfast available

• 🌍 Customs House Inn, 38 Depot St, ☎ [phone]. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 The Evening Sail Bed and Breakfast, 279 Denoon St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Check-in: 4PM-6PM, check-out: 10AM. Seven non-smoking rooms. room $65-$120, breakfast +$15, additional person +$15. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Lionstone Inn and Cabins, 241 West River Rd, toll-free: [phone]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Clean and comfortable accommodations, very close to PEI ferry terminal on a 3 acre park-like setting. Very good value for the money. $59-$99. 
• 🌍 Pictou Lodge Beach Resort, 172 Lodge Rd, ☎ [phone]. Open during the tourist season only. (updated Nov 2017)
• 🌍 Willow House Inn, 11 Willow St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A bed and breakfast with four rooms and two suites. $70-$130. (updated Nov 2017)

Go next

North to the ferry to Prince Edward Island, south to Highway 104 and New Glasgow, or east on Trunk 6 along the Northumberland Shore coast (eventually reaching Amherst).

Routes through Pictou

Charlottetown ← ferry to Wood Islands (becomes ) ←	N  S	→ New Glasgow → Ends at
END ← Amherst ←	W  E	→ END