New Glasgow
Around New Glasgow
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Nova Scotia · 34k people
New Glasgow
Locals say Pictou County
Where the sea meets the highlands and the pizza is legendary.
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Welcome to Pictou County! Whether you're here for the beaches, the pizza, or the friendly faces, you'll feel right at home. Come for a visit, stay for the community.
Clubs for New Glasgow
No clubs for New Glasgow yet.
The room
One room for everyone around New Glasgow. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around New Glasgow. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Hector Heritage Quay Replica of the ship Hector and local history.
- St. Francis Xavier University Historic university in Antigonish.
- Melmerby Beach Provincial Park Popular sandy beach on the Northumberland Strait.
- Museum of Industry Exhibits on coal mining, steel, and railways.
- Pictou County Wellness Centre Arena and recreation complex in New Glasgow.
- Sutherland Steam Mill Restored 19th-century woodworking mill.
- Outdoors Swimming at Melmerby Beach
- Outdoors Hiking the Antigonish Landing trail
- With kids Visit the Museum of Industry
- With kids Tour the Hector replica
- Evenings Live music at local pubs
- Evenings Concerts at the deCoste Centre
- Locals love Lobster suppers
- Locals love Northumberland Strait beaches
Through the year
- Riverfront Jubilee summer Summer music festival in New Glasgow.
- Pictou County Lobster Carnival July Celebrates local lobster with food and fun.
- Pictou County Exhibition August Agricultural fair in Stellarton.
- Antigonish Art in the Park summer Art show and sale in Antigonish.
- Pictou County Christmas Parade December Holiday parade in New Glasgow.
Pictou County has a maritime climate with mild summers and cold, snowy winters. Best time to be out is late spring to early fall. Best: Late spring to early fall
Talk like a local
- “The County”
- Pictou County
- “Down the shore”
- To the Northumberland Strait beaches
- “Supper”
- Evening meal
- “The Hub”
- New Glasgow
Getaways
- Truro Victoria Park and the tidal bore.
- Charlottetown Historic waterfront and Confederation Centre.
- Halifax Big city attractions, Citadel Hill, and the waterfront.
- Moncton Magnetic Hill and downtown revitalization.
Local flavour
Teams
- Pictou County Crushers Maritime Hockey League (MHL)
- St. Francis Xavier X-Men U Sports
Eat and drink
- Pictou County Pizza A thick, chewy crust with a sweet, tangy sauce, typically topped with pepperoni and cheese.
- Lobster Fresh Atlantic lobster from the Northumberland Strait, a local delicacy.
- Oatcakes
Where people go
- Working harbours and fishing villages
- Northumberland Strait beaches Warm‑water beaches along the strait, popular in summer for swimming and relaxation.
- Museum of Industry
- Melmerby Beach Provincial Park Popular beach and picnic area.
Heritage and traditions
Pictou County is proud of its deep Scottish roots, the legacy of the Hector's arrival, and a hardworking maritime character shaped by coal mining, fishing, and a strong sense of community.
This time of year in New Glasgow
- Harvest festivals Fall Apple picking and fall fairs.
- Pictou County Fibre Arts Festival October Celebrates knitting, weaving, and other fibre arts.
Say it like a local: “How's she goin'?” — How are you doing?
Festivals
- Antigonish Highland Games July One of the largest highland games in North America, featuring pipe bands, caber toss, and dancing.
- Pictou County Scottish Festival June Celebrates Scottish heritage with music, dancing, and genealogy.
- New Glasgow Farmers Market Year-round Weekly market with local produce and crafts.
- St. F.X. Antigonish Arts Festival Spring Showcases local and student art, theatre, and music.
- Pictou County Fibre Arts Festival October Celebrates knitting, weaving, and other fibre arts.
- Antigonish Winter Carnival February Outdoor winter activities and community events.
Landmarks with a story
- St. Ninian's Cathedral Roman Catholic cathedral in Antigonish, a landmark of the diocese.
- Pictou Academy Founded in 1816, one of the oldest schools in Nova Scotia.
- Antigonish Heritage Museum Housed in a former train station, preserving local history.
- New Glasgow Town Hall A heritage building in the heart of New Glasgow.
- Pictou County Court House Historic courthouse in Pictou, dating from the 19th century.
- The Old Town of Pictou Streets lined with heritage homes and shops.
Food traditions
- Scottish shortbread Baked for holidays and special occasions, a nod to the region's Scottish roots.
- Clam chowder Coastal communities serve creamy clam chowder, often with fresh local clams.
- Fish and chips Fresh haddock or cod from the Northumberland Strait, battered and fried.
- Blueberry grunt A Maritime dessert of stewed blueberries with dumplings.
- Haggis on Robbie Burns Night Celebrated on January 25th with poetry and traditional Scottish fare.
Music and arts
- Scottish fiddle music Traditional fiddle tunes passed down through generations, played at céilidhs and highland games.
- Highland dancing Competitive and social dancing with a strong presence in the region.
- Pipe bands Several pipe bands perform at local events and parades.
- Gaelic language revival Efforts to preserve and teach Scottish Gaelic, with classes and cultural events.
A little history
- 1773 The ship Hector arrives in Pictou with Scottish immigrants, marking the start of large-scale Scottish settlement in Nova Scotia.
- 1793 New Glasgow is founded, named after Glasgow, Scotland.
- 1853 St. Francis Xavier University is established in Antigonish.
- Late 1800s Coal mining booms in Stellarton and Westville, fueling the region's industrial growth.
- 1870s The railway arrives, connecting the county to the rest of Canada.
Rivalries
- New Glasgow vs. Stellarton Friendly competition between neighbouring towns.
- Pictou vs. Antigonish Rivalry over local pride and sports.
- St. Francis Xavier X-Men vs. Acadia Axemen University football and hockey rivalry.
- Pictou County Crushers vs. Amherst Ramblers Junior hockey rivalry in the Maritime league.
- Game day Curling bonspiels at local clubs
- Game day Highland games athletic competitions
- Outdoors Snowshoeing on the trails
- Outdoors Cross-country skiing at local parks
- With kids Visiting the farmers market
- With kids Attending the Highland Games
Locals speak with a Maritime accent, influenced by Scottish and Irish heritage. Common phrases include 'b'y' for friend, 'how's she goin'?' as a greeting, and 'supper' for the evening meal.
Only here
- The Hector replica ship in Pictou, commemorating the 1773 Scottish landing.
- Pictou County pizza, with its unique thick crust and sweet sauce.
- The Antigonish Highland Games, one of the largest in North America.
- The X-Ring ceremony at St. Francis Xavier University, a tradition for graduating students.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the Scottish heritage - attend a céilidh or highland games.
- Try Pictou County pizza - it's a local icon with a unique style.
- Dress for the weather: winters are cold and snowy, summers are mild.
- Learn to say 'b'y' - it's a friendly way to address people.
- Visit the Hector Heritage Quay to understand the region's founding.
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Nearby
Every areaTruroNova ScotiaTides, trails, and true Maritime charmAntigonishNova ScotiaWhere the sea meets the highlands, with a warm Scottish and Acadian welcome.Queens CountyPrince Edward IslandRed soil, green fields, and the sea's whisperKings CountyPrince Edward IslandWhere the red soil meets the sea.CharlottetownPrince Edward IslandThe little city that started a nationCape Breton HighlandsNova ScotiaWhere highland spirit meets the Atlantic.HalifaxNova ScotiaA harbour city with a big heart.SummersidePrince Edward IslandA harbour town with red soil and warm hearts
New Glasgow. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.