New Gairloch, Nova Scotia
New Gairloch Geography
- Official Name: New Gairloch
- Gaelic Name: Geàrr-loch Ùr
- Geographic Feature Type Category: Populated Place
- Geographic Feature Type: Community
- Latitude / Longitude: 45.478035, -62.849225
New Gairloch Maps
- 1:50k Topographic NTS Map: 011E07
- 1879 Pictou County Atlas Map: Section 11
- Nova Scotia Land Grant Map: Crown Land Grant Map 087
- Nova Scotia 1:10k Topographic Maps: 1045450062800 (New Gairloch)
- Other Maps:
About New Gairloch
New Gairloch is located between the southern end of the West and Middle Rivers of Pictou. The area was previously known as Gairloch, after Gairloch, Inverness-shire, Scotland, but the name of the community was changed to New Gairloch around 1961. The abundant resource of timber in the Canadian Maritimes attracted many settlement throughout the 19th century.
The name Gairloch means “short loch” in Scottish Gaelic, referring to a small sea inlet.
Findlay McDonald came from Scotland in 1801 and settled here soon afterward. Murdoch McPherson and possibly Alexander McKenzie settled here about 1805. David Ferguson was settled on a branch of Balfours Brook by 1814.
Even in the “New World”, settlers could not escape hardships brought upon them by the environment. In the Gairloch area the year 1815 became known as ‘the Year of The Mice‘. An explosion in the mice population resulted in widespread losses of stored food and the following years seed supply. Wildfires in 1820 also caused extensive damage to property and land. Crop failures were also common for settlers with stories of times when newly planted potatoes had to be dug up to prevent starvation one spring.
The first church in new Gairloch was built of logs around 1810 and was repaired in 1814 or 1816 after storm damage. This church remained in use until 1858 when St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, a more modern one built from timber planks was constructed.
A school was established on Gairloch Mount in 1894. A postal way office was established at New Gairloch in 1859.
Farms and Farmers of Pictou County is a collection of articles written by by R. H. Ward between 1919 and 1922 that showcases some of the many farms and farmers in Gairloch areas during 1914-1922.
Population in 1956 was 51.
Gairloch Lake is located south of Gairloch Lake Road in the New Gairloch area.
Using the crowd sourced Find a Grave app, you can search the Saint Andrews Cemetery including names, details, and some photos.
History of Gairloch, Pictou County
History of Gairloch, Pictou County provides a detailed historical account of the early settlers in Gairloch, focusing on the Scottish pioneers who established homes in the new world. It covers various aspects, including many challenges faced by the settlers, the key residents who helped shape the community, the geology, local property history, details about the cemetery, and political and religious convictions.
A valuable resource for both those interested in learning more about Gairloch, Pictou County and those interested in learning more about early Scottish history, pioneer life, and the cultural heritage of early settlers. Gairloch, Pictou County can be read online for free in most browsers, or downloaded in PDF format to read in software your own devices.
[Source: Nova Scotia Place Names – T. Brown / Places of Nova Scotia – C. Bruce Fergusson / “Gairloch” settlements in the 19th century -Liz Forrest ]
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