The Waverley Gazette

Remembering The Ship Hector - The Arduous Voyage of 1773

In 1773, The Ship Hector set sail from Scotland with 189 Scots aboard, emigrating to Nova Scotia with high hopes for a better life. 

The voyage was 11 weeks of hardship and misery, with dwindling supplies and dysentery and smallpox claiming 18 lives.

The Hector was the first ship to arrive in Nova Scotia directly from Scotland. When the settlers arrived in Mi’kmaqi, at Pictou Harbour on September 15, 1773, the indigenous Mi’kmaq people played a vital role in helping them survive.

Mi’kma’ki  - the Northern Woodlands, is now Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Price Edward Island and eastern Quebec.

A replica of the Ship Hector was launched in 2000 and was moored alongside Hector Heritage Quay in Pictou.

July 12th 2025 sees the launch of the refurbished replica Ship Hector at Pictou, Nova Scotia.

 

In the heart of Nova Scotia, at Pictou Harbour, the fully restored Ship Hector replica adds to the story of Canadian maritime history. The refurbishment stands not merely as an event, but as a reminder of our heritage, human help and resilience, and the strong ties between Scotland and Canada. This newsletter looks at the story of the restored replica Hector, exploring its significance, the community spirit that brought it to life, and the promise it holds for the future. 

 

The Story of the Original Hector 

To truly appreciate the feelings surrounding the new replica Hector, one must return to 1773, when the original Hector sailed from Scotland, carrying 189 Highlanders. They were seeking a new start in Nova Scotia. Many had lost their land and were promised a new place with farming and a plentiful life. The boat they sailed in from Ullapool, however, was not seaworthy. The late summer departure and storms they then encountered meant they ran out of food and people died on board. Many spoke Gaelic and not English. Their hopes were tested. That arduous journey marked  the first boat of ‘large-scale Scottish immigration to Canada’ but it was not the first boat to Canada. Many people from Scotland had been travelling since 1600 - soldiers, traders, settlers, people who were working for the New France and Hudson Bay. Also there were loyalist Scots who arrived after the American Revolution. However, the Hector did become a mark in the cultural and social area of Pictou and the broader Maritimes. The Hector’s legacy is told with stories of determination, perseverance, and the need for a new identity far from home. For many, the ship is more than a boat — it is a symbol of courage and then the help that was given to the new settlers from those already settled whose ancestors had lived there from early times.

 

The Vision for the New Hector 

To keep the new Hector’s place in Atlantic Canadian heritage, the decision to restore the replica was made because the community wishes to have a tribute to the original boat, as well as a teaching tool that marks historical accuracy with accessibility and safety for today’s visitors. Local shipwrights, historians, and volunteers have collaborated, blending traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques to restore the ship as faithfully as possible.

Construction: A new replica

The refurbishment of the replica of The Hector has captivated the town of Pictou and the wider region, turning a waterfront site into a busy place. The building of the boat has drawn visitors over the past months. The Hector’s rigging, mast, and sails are modelled on the original, while the living quarters below decks have been designed to evoke the space faced by the original passengers. Contemporary designs have also been used for aspects of safety. 

Community Spirit: Pictou’s Achievement 

Pictou has raised money through fundraising and government grants for the work on theship. Volunteers have donated hours of labour and the initiative has revitalized the town’s waterfront.

Remembering the Past, Looking forward  

The story of The Hector resonates far beyond Nova Scotia’s shores. For descendants of the original passengers, the new ship is a link to those who made the terrible journey. For younger generations, it is a chance to connect with the past. 

The replica of The Hector is also an opportunity to discuss themes migration, belonging, and the power of community.

Upcoming Events: Celebration in Pictou Harbour on July 12, 2025

The official launch of the new replica Hector will be marked by a series of events designed to celebrate the ship’s arrival and to honour all those who have contributed to its creation. For details on event schedules, please visit Pictou’s official community page or contact The Hector Heritage Quay directly. 

 

Waverley Scotland created as part of its Waverley Tartan Commonplace Notebook range, a notebook, bound in genuine Ship Hector tartan cloth with a booklet about the history of The Hector (pictured here). Copies in Canada are exclusive to Nimbus Publishing, Halifax, Canada. If you are in the UK or outside of Canada, you can buy the notebook from our website.