All About Pictou County
As the birthplace of New Scotland, Pictou County is where Nova Scotia’s Scottish roots are celebrated and preserved. The municipality is located on the north shore of Pictou Harbour.
While the town of Pictou is famous for being the landing site of the ship Hector and its Scottish immigrant passengers in the late 1700s, its history goes back much further. The original Mi’kmaq inhabitants called the area Pictook, meaning ‘exploding gas’, possibly a sound that came from coal fields in the region. The region was rich with an abundance of seafood and wildlife and the Mi’kmaq people helped the early settlers in learning the ways of this new land.
The 2021 census population of the Town of Pictou is 3,107 residents. For more information on the Township of Pictou visit their website here.
Town of Trenton
The Town of Trenton is located on the Northumberland Coast along the shores of the East River of Pictou, immediately north of New Glasgow.
The area was first settled by Scottish immigrants in 1773 and was first known as Smelt Brook to its earlier inhabitants. Trenton gained its name in 1882 after the American city Trenton, New Jersey. For more information on the Town of Trenton visit their website here.
Town of New Glasgow
The Town of New Glasgow was settled in 1784 and named for Glasgow, Scotland. Once a thriving shipbuilding centre, New Glagow now serves as the commercial retail centre for the region of Pictou County. For more information on the Town of New Glasgow visit their website here.
Town of Stellerton
The Town of Stellerton was originally called the Coal Mines Station as coal was the area's key focus for the local economy in the 1790s. The Foord coal seam runs through most of the town and is part of the greater Stellarton Basin/Pictou Coalfield. The town was incorporated as Stellarton in 1889.
Stellarton has a rich history in exploration, coal mining operations and the rail road. They are also proud to be the hometown of grocery store Empire Sobey's which was founded in 1907 and still has their headquarters located there. For more information on the Town of Stellarton visit their website here.
Town of Westville
The Town of Westville is located immediately west of Stellarton and just southwest of New Glasgow. It is mainly a bedroom community.
The town was originally called Acadian Village but renamed Westville because the community was west of the Albion Mines (now Stellarton). Westville has a long history of coal mining dating back to 1864 when it was first discovered. For more information on the Town of Westville visit their website here.
Weather
The area weather is classified as humid continental with rainy and snowy cold winters and warm humid summers.
Average Jan. temperature: -11° Celsius
Average July temperature: 21° Celsius
Local up to date weather can be found by visiting:
Emergency Services
Call 911 if you require fire, police, or an ambulance!
Health Link
Phone: 811 or visit: Website
Health Link 811 is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week telecare service that provides confidential health advice and information to concerned callers. There’s no cost to the caller and a Nova Scotia health card isn’t required.
When a person dials 811 from any telephone registered in Nova Scotia, they are directed to an experienced registered nurse who will ask the individual to describe the symptoms they or their family member are experiencing. The nurse will then assess the urgency of the caller's symptoms or health condition and advise them on the next steps, such as appropriate self-care, or to seek services from a family physician or another health-care provider, or to visit an emergency department.
Municipality of Pictou County
Town of
Pictou
Hospitals
and Clinics
Getting
Here
Pictou
Weather
Recreation
Recreation is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle and Pictou Counties offer multiple facilities and activities (indoor and outdoor) for you to take part in. Each Town has their own Recreation Department with a co-operative partnership amongst them:
Municipality of Pictou County Recreation
Phone: 902-485-8528
Website: Active Pictou County
Town of Picou Recreation
Phone: 905-485-4372
Website: Pictou Recreation & Parks
Town of Stellarton Recreation & Culture
Phone: 902-72-8944
Website: Town of Stellarton Recreation
Town of New Glasgow Recreation
Phone: 902-755-8363
Website: New Glasgow Recreation
Town of Trenton Parks and Recreation
Phone: 902-752-1019
Website: Parks & Recreation
Town of Westville Recreation
Phone: 902-396-1500
Website: Recreation
Area Attractions
Pictou Public Library and Innovation Centre
40 Water Street
Pictou, NS
Phone: 902-485-5021
Hector Heritage Quay
Phone: 902-485-4371
Hector Heritage Quay is one of the area’s major cultural attractions. The Hector Heritage Quay introduces visitors to the history and culture of the area.
McCulloch Heritage Centre
Website
The McCulloch Heritage Centre is home to a rotational display local art and exhibits. The centre also houses the local archives and genealogical information which is available for visitors to help trace their family tree.
Northumberland Fisheries Museum
21 Caladh Avenue
Website
Pictou, NS
Phone: 902-485-8925
The Fisheries Museum preserves the rich sea heritage and culture while paying tribute to the life and times of all those involved.
Museum of Industry
147 North Foord Street
Website
Stellarton, NS CA B0K1S0
Phone: 902-755-5425
Pictou County Military Museum
2020 Queen Street
Westville, NS
Phone: 902-396-2194
YMCA
YMCA of Pictou County
2756 Westville Rd
Website
New Glasgow, NS B2H5C6
Phone: 902-752-0202
YMCA of Pictou County located in New Glasgow, offers a variety of ways to exercise. In the facility there are two pools, a gymnasium, and workout machines. Classes for all ages in multiple forms of recreation are offered.
Swimming
Public swim times and lessons are offered at the following locations:
Fisheries Training Pool
73 Harbour Drive
Pictou, NS
Phone: 902-485-5301
Trenton Park Pool (Summer only)
Phone: 902-752-1019
Website: Aquatics
YMCA of Pictou County
2756 Westville Rd
Website
New Glasgow, NS B2H5C6
Phone: 902-752-0202
