Going to Nova Scotia/PEI

[ozone]

Thanks to 2 storms named after a redneck and an english woman respectively, the wife and i have had to stop our sailing plans and go with the equally-good plan "b": road trip to Nova Scotia/PEI.

Anyone out there been to either place? Anyone have suggestions on kilt-friendly/Celtic places to check out? Anyone know if visitors can wear a kilt without pissing off the locals?

Any/all comments appreciated.

[xman]

Kilts are very natural in NS. It was the first place in Canada to have its own Provincial/District tartan in 1963. It's more likely that you will make more chatty friends than you know what to do with within the first hour. Nova Scotians are a wonderfully friendly folk.

[Maritime Highlander]

I know a few people besides myself who wear kilts on PEI, but we are not common. I've never been harrased, and have received a few big thumbs up when I wear my kilt.

Places to visit kilted on PEI: The College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts is a great spot. And in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, you might want to check out the Cabot Trail, the Celtic College in Saint Anne's, and the Fortress of Louisbourg.

Have fun, and welcome to our region!

Peter

[The Vicar]

Well, there are some great pubs in Halifax. Go on the Keith's tour and sample a beer or two.

Also the reenactors/ summer students are in highland dress at the Citadel and there is a lot to see there in Halifax. They might be done for the year?

I served in the navy in Halifax and the people are second to none in being friendly....that is why the song "Farewell to Nova Scotia" was sung by each graduationg class at Cornwallis NS.

Also drive to Lunenburg NS as it is great for photos and they shot the tv series "Haven" there. The drive alone to this area is beautiful with Autumn approaching.

See if you can get to the docks and the see the CDN Navy.

Wish I was going along with you, have a blessed journey.

Robert

[Dixiecat]

Goodness! The locals will be tickled to have anyone in a kilt, after all, this is Nova SCOTIA.

Let us know when you're in the area, and maybe a kilt night can be put together. I highly recommend The Old Triangle in Halifax for any get together.

I'll add that seeing the Tidal Bore at Amherst should be added to you 'must see' list. It's quite the sight to see the tide come so far inland along the river. You could even try rafting the bore, but I think the season will be over soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWumonz87rA
I've seen it both higher and lower depending on springs or neaps.

[gordontaos]

I am envious.
Maggie and I have spent 5 weeks in Nova Scotia in the past 6 years. We particularly enjoy the remoteness, quiet, beauty, and Celtic flavor of Cape Breton Island. You can find a ceilidh almost every night of the week up there, and we have found Mabou to be centrally located to listen to great music as well as enjoying a good times at the Red Shoe Pub. "The Mull" is a well run and reasonably priced restaurant in Mabou
Further north we enjoy spending a few nights at "The Markland". Its rustic, but the views and central location are well worth it. They also have entertainment at least one night a week. Right in that general vicinity is where Aspy Bay Oysters are harvested. You can go to the humble cabin at the Hideaway Campground and enjoy the freshest oysters available, or pay 4 times as much and eat far older oysters at any of the fancy restaurants in Eastern Canada.
Around on the other side of Cape Breton I have enjoyed the B&B's in Louisbourg while visiting the "Fortress". The Celtic College in St. Annes is also in that general area.
As said previously the Tidal Bore is fun to watch. We stayed at the Palliser motel. They are right beside the tidal bore, and we just set our alarm clock for 3AM so that we could get up to see it. All of the other motel guests also showed up in nightgowns and robes. Twenty minutes prior to the tide coming in the motel's ballpark style lights came on so that we could witness the event. As soon as it was over everyone just went back to bed. The restaurant and gift shop at the Palliser were surprisingly good.
We also enjoyed visiting the "Hector" in Pictou. This is a full sized replica of the ship that brought the first 189 immigrants directly from Scotland in 1773.
Finally, even further down the coast, we also enjoy Digby. As I recall they have the largest inshore scallop fleet on the east coast. There is a little sea food store right at the foot of the pier that the scallop fleet ties up to. The first scallops off of the first boat go right onto the ice in the cooler for you to purchase. They will even fry them up for you, and you can sit at a little kitchen table and watch the trucks get loaded with hogsheads full of scallops to be served at the finest restaurants in North America. However, none of the scallops will be better or fresher than you are enjoying in that humble location. They will also steam lobster for you there.
We have found all of Nova Scotia to be clean, friendly, and unspoiled. We keep on trying to get to PEI, but just have a hard time not going back to one of the greatest places in the world.
I know that you will have a great time.

[macwilkin]

Kilts are very natural in NS. It was the first place in Canada to have its own Provincial/District tartan in 1963. It's more likely that you will make more chatty friends than you know what to do with within the first hour. Nova Scotians are a wonderfully friendly folk.

1953, actually...

Apologies for being pedantic.

T.

[macwilkin]

The Halifax Citadel and the HMCS Sackville are on my list of places/things to visit in Nova Scotia. I also hope to take the wee bairns to Grand Pre, to see where their Melans(c)on ancestors were part of "Le Grand Derangement" of the Acadian people.

T.

[Kilted Jeeper]

PEI is very kilt friendly, it is where I ventured into public for the very first time kilted.
I believe we have a member or 2 here from PEI as well.
I'm very jealous, can't wait to go back to PEI next year.
Enjoy and have a safe trip

[Chas]

I grew up in Toronto and we used to have family holidays in Nova Scotia. It was in the 60's, but at that time EVERYBODY wore a kilt there. The tourist industry was very heavily Scottish biased. All the people that I met spoke with a Scottish accent.

I would be interested in your experiences, as a tourist, of today's Nova Scotia.

Regards

Chas