Architecture and Identity on the Edge of Empire: The Early Domestic Architecture of Scottish Settlers in Nova Scotia, Canada, 1800–1850

Abstract

In the early nineteenth century thousands of Scots emigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada, settling there principally in Pictou and Antigonish Counties. This article considers the transformation of the domestic architecture of emigrants from the Scottish Highlands, from earth and random-rubble-walled ‘black houses’ to Classically ornamented and proportioned timber-framed houses. It demonstrates that, in contrast to the transferable traditions of Lowland Scottish settlers, virtually no element of the Scottish Highland vernacular building tradition was established in Nova Scotia, and that Scottish Highland emigrants adopted a new architecture with near total uniformity. These changes in architectural practice are described here in some detail, and then interpreted as indicators of changed social practice within the immigrant Highland community.

In Hot Water: A Lobster Tale

“…The Highland Scots brought with them their culture of Gaelic language, song, and dance, but what was not transplanted was a building tradition. 5 A reason for this could have been the availability of building material; the stone and turf house of the Scottish Highlands could not be replicated in the new home, as the turf would not have been practical in the new climate. Instead, the forests of Nova Scotia were abundant with building material.…”