The tour takes one through much of the core of the town, with a total of 24 stops. On the tour are several of Pictou's oldest buildings, dating back almost to 1800. Included on the tour are stops at three Canadian National Historic Sites (one being the old railway station), the old post office, the only building known with a window in the chimney, the old customs house, a former bank and general store, now a B&B, and the original Bank of Nova Scotia building in the town, still in use by the bank.
", a replica of one of the ships which brought the immigrants to Pictou. Nearby is the lobster hatchery and maritime museum, well worth a visit. As one tours the town they will inevitable pass other buildings and spots of interest, meaning that the tour could easily take some of the more inquisitive individuals a full day. Some of the highlights of the tour (for which we happen to have photos) are below.
Coordinates are at the starting point, the MacGregor Monument, for which we don't have a photo, unfortunately. Hover on the photos to see the names.
MacGregor Monument
We start our walk across from the Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital at the cairn honoring Rev James MacGregor, a pioneer minister who arrived in Pictou in 1786. MacGregor’s journals have been a great source of information regarding the daily lives of people in pioneer Pictou.
War Monument
Remembrance Day ceremonies are held here, honoring those Pictonians who gave their lives during the First and Second World Wars.
Pictou Academy Monument
On this site, from 1818 to 1932, stood the Pictou Academy. Founded by the Presbyterian minister and educator Thomas McCulloch, the institution introduced non-sectarian higher education to the maritime provinces. Modelled after the Scottish academies and universities, it emphasized logical argument, scientific practice and equality of educational opportunity. Its unsuccessful struggle to obtain permanent governmental support and university status in the 1820s marked an early and critical stage in the development of the reform movement in Nova Scotia.
Old Post Office
The Old Post Office was built in 1895 to accommodate the increased volume of mail passing through Pictou bound for Prince Edward Island and Quebec. This is a Victorian building with elements of the Georgian and Four Square styles built in sandstone with a copper sheathed roof. Apart from the imposing scale, the truly distinctive features are the dormers. The west dormer is unique, incorporating a chimney with a central window. The post office moved to a new location in 1956.
Bank of Nova Scotia
The Bank of Nova Scotia was built circa 1878 by Adam McKean for the Pictou Bank. In the mid-1880’s the Pictou Bank fell upon hard times and sold the property to the Bank of N.S. for $5,000.00. This is the third oldest branch of the Bank of N.S. in the province. The Second Empire structure features beautify ogee dormers and keystone labels above the first storey windows and doors.
Walker Inn
Next to the bank is a building which was also formerly used as a bank. Locally known as the Stalker Building, this structure has always housed shops and offices until recently. Its architectural style nicely complements that of the bank.
R.P. Grant - Pictou Club
R.P. Grant home was built circa 1853 for merchant/politician R.P. Grant. Grant, whose father was a publisher and bookseller, arrived from Scotland in 1835. He married Annie Carmichael, daughter of the founder of New Glasgow. A pro-Confederation Liberal, he was a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1859 to 1863. He was appointed a Senator in 1877. The house is an excellent example of the Picturesque style whose interesting features include a Palladian style window and bargeboard trim.
Davies Foundry
Davies Foundry built circa 1855 for William Davies, the buildings were the nucleus of an iron foundry. The buildings are located on the north side of Front Street.
Old CN Train Station
The Old C.N. Station was built circa 1904 for the Intercolonial Railroad following a company design. The structure, which also features a double façade, was built on reclaimed land and reflects the eclectic tastes of the period. Interesting features include the steep pictured gable dormers and the central Palladian window. It became part of the Canadian National Railway system in 1923. The building is now owned by the Town of Pictou and serves as a community centre and home of the local Fisheries Museum. The station is a National Historic Site.
Old Customs House
Old Customs House was built circa 1873 according to designs by Halifax architects Stirling and Dewar for the Federal Government. The building is located on what was originally a spit of land in close proximity to the major wharves. The Second Empire structure features a double façade looking out to the harbour and in to the town. The massive building was a forceful statement made by the federal government of a young country, an indelible imprint on the town’s streetscape. Prior to a 1956 hurricane, there was an enclosed light at the top of the tower on the harbour side.
Hector Heritage Quay
On September 15, 1773, approximately two hundred Highland Scots arrived aboard the Ship Hector. This began a wave of Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia that would last for decades. The settlers' perseverance as they sought the freedom of possessing and thriving on their own piece of land made them a fundamental part of Canada's history. Against great odds they built communities and raised families. On hearing tales from the first settlers, thousands of Scottish immigrants soon followed to this land of New Scotland. The Hector Heritage Quay and Ship Hector Replica are a testament to their courage and Nova Scotia's ties to the culture of Scotland. It is fitting that this heritage be celebrated in Pictou, "The Birthplace of New Scotland."
In 1989 the Town of Pictou formed the Pictou Waterfront Development Corporation to manage an extensive revitalization of the Pictou Waterfront. Construction of a Ship Hector replica was a major component of this project. The original Hector was built in Holland and belonged to a class of vessel known as a Boot Ship. Reconstruction methods of the Ship Hector are in harmony with the ship building methods used on the original Boot Ships. The keel of the Ship Hector replica was laid in August 1990 and the vessel was launched on September 16, 2000.
From the Walking Tour Brochure