New Glasgow is the largest of
the five towns in the area, the others being Pictou, Westville,
Trenton and Stellarton – all bordering or located within a short drive of each
other. New Glasgow is also home to two-time Stanley Cup winner Colin
White, Attorney General and Minister of Justice Peter MacKay and Mike
Smith, also known as “Bubbles” from the Trailer Park Boys
television series and movies.
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| Crossing East River on George Street |
Named for Glasgow, Scotland;
the town was founded in 1776 by Scottish immigrants and incorporated
in 1875. The town developed as a port for the nearby mines in
Stellarton. The first standard-gauge railway in Canada was built
along this route, served by the “Samson,” the oldest steam
locomotive in Canada. Today the population of this Pictou County town is 9,075.
I visited New
Glasgow on August 28th, and
here's what I found:
1. Selfie – Took a picture
in front of the town's welcome sign, where North Foord Street becomes
Stellarton Road.
2. Visitor’s Centre –
New Glasgow doesn't have a visitor's centre,
and the one in Westville was closed for the season.
(Closed. For the
season. In August. Ugh.)
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| Wanna ride? (Carmichael-Stewart House Museum) |
3. Museum –
There are two museums in New Glasgow – the
Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame and the Carmichael-Stewart House Museum, the latter of which
I toured. A lovely museum in an Victorian-era home, filled with many
artifacts from the area and re-created bedrooms.
4. Food –
Enjoyed a pasta dish at Cafe Italia on Provost
Street in downtown New Glasgow.
5. Drink –
New Glasgow doesn't produce any of its own
spirits, but I did pick up a few Uncle Leo's Brewery Ceilidh Ales made in
nearby Lyon's Brook.
6. Public Space – New
Glasgow has several parks and trails, several along the East River. I
took a stroll along a trail in Carmichael Park.
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| Trail in Carmichael Park |
7. Art –
The town has several murals around the town,
but I was particularly taken with a sculpture of a bagpiper, known as "Highland Solider" by J. Massey Rhind, in
Carmichael Park.
8. Swag –
Lacking a visitor's centre and no options at
the Carmichael-Stewart Museum (although the friendly and helpful
staff invited me to photograph some commemorative “New Glasgow”
dishes at the museum) I did not acquire
swag. Once again, I am
open to suggestions to satisfy by New Glasgow needs.
When should you go? Check out Johnny Miles Marathon and Running Event Weekend (June), Race on the River
(July) and The Riverfront Jubilee (August).
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| View of New Glasgow Waterfront from Rotary Park |
Up next: This town, the last
on my journey, is known as “the birthplace of New Scotland.” Find
out where on Wednesday!
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