The town of Pictou on the Northumberland Shore stakes its claim as the birthplace of New Scotland because the first Scottish immigrants landed in 1773. Today it has a population of around 3,875 people.

The centerpiece of the waterfront area is a replica of the original settlers' sailing ship the Hector. The replica is 110 feet long and fully rigged, and visitors can tour it and see mast making, rigging, and other tall ship activities. The ship is moored at the Hector Heritage Quay, an interpretive centre focussed on the tall ships. The Hector Exhibit and Research Centre displays local crafts including quilts, hooked mats, and artwork, and has researchers available to answer questions about Pictou's history. More information on the Northumberland Strait's fishing and sea heritage is on display including a fisherman's bunkhouse, boat models, a cannery display, and over 2,500 artifacts. The story of the area's Scottish community is presented at the McCulloch House, built in 1806. Several festivals each summer celebrate the local history and culture. The Hector Festival in August commemorates the arrival of the first settlers, and the Lobster Carnival in July celebrates the end of the fishing season. Local crafts may be found in area shops, as well as at a weekend crafts market held from June to September. Nearby, beach goers will enjoy Melmergy Beach's mile-long sandy beach with access to Northumberland Shores' water, the warmest north of the Carolinas.