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Step aboard the full-size replica of the historic ship that brought the first Scottish emigrants from Scotland to Nova Scotia. Witness the incredible restoration work by Nova Scotia master shipbuilders and immerse yourself in a significant piece of our Canadian heritage.
Journey Back to 1773
New exhibits coming in 2025!
The Ship Hector arrived in Pictou Harbour on September 15, 1773, bringing 189 emigrants to their new home. The story of the Hector and its passengers is a unique tale of the first permanent, enduring Scottish settlement in Nova Scotia.
Discover the story of the Hector settlers and why they decided to come to Nova Scotia. Learn the history of these early settlers and the hardship they overcame to become the backbone of settlement for Nova Scotia and Canada. The Indigenous community was instrumental in their survival during their first years of settlement.
Immerse Yourself in History at the Hector Quay Interpretive Centre
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Experience a boat building yard as crews work to restore the Ship Hector replica for its 2025 launch into Pictou Harbour.
The full-scale replica of the ship was originally built in the 1990s, but 30 years later it needed major repairs. The vessel was lifted out of the water in June 2020.
Since then a major fundraising campaign and extensive work on the ship has taken place.
Once fully restored, the Ship Hector will offer tours in Pictou Harbour powered by solar energy, making it the only tall ship in Canada with this eco-friendly feature.
Nova Scotia master ship builders are onsite throughout the week as they continue restoration work on the ship.
Witness the craftsmanship and feel the history! Deck tours of the Ship Hector are currently available on weekends throughout the summer.
Step Aboard The Ship Hector & See Master Boat Builders at Work
Explore The Rigging Room, Carpentry Shop and Blacksmith Shops
Carpentry Shop. The heart of the Ship Hector restoration project is the carpentry shop, where planking, hatch covers, bollards, blocks etc. are being restored and rebuilt. A workshop with all the original drawings and plans is at the back of the building.
Blacksmith Shop. A working forge and lots of examples of early tools used in this intricate and important craft.
Rigging Room. Located on the bottom floor of the Interpretive Centre, here you can learn about what it takes to prepare a tall ship for sailing. There are lots of early tools used in the art of rigging a ship as well as a variety of items needed for a sailing ship.
Visit The Ship Hector Gift Shop!
Take home a memory of your visit.
The Ship Hector Gift Shop is home to an array of clothing, jewellery, gift items, home decor and even a candy room for kids and kids at heart.