How Did Nova Scotia Get Its Name?

As with most of North America, Nova Scotia has a strong European background. The country’s second-smallest province had, and continues to have, particularly strong ties to Scotland, and its name is Latin for New Scotland. Read on to learn about how Nova Scotia got its name.

The province was named by Sir William Alexander in 1621, after he was given the land from King James IV of Scotland. Settlers were sent here from Scotland to help establish the country’s holding in the new world.

Nova Scotia’s culture has been greatly influenced by its strong ties to Scotland, particularly on Cape Breton Island. Nova Scotia’s strong Gaelic and Celtic heritage set it apart from the rest of the country, and really help the province have its own unique culture and way of life. You’ll find many popular Scottish traditions and identifiers in the province, including bagpipes, kilts, céilidhs (kitchen parties), Celtic music, traditional dance, and more.

Nova Scotians are very proud of their Scottish roots, and you can learn more about the Celtic and Gaelic traditions that continue to this day through the province’s traditions, events, museums, and festivals. For more information, check out Tourism Nova Scotia’s website.

On your next visit to Nova Scotia, be sure to take some time to explore the province’s rich culture. Whether you’re attending a traditional céilidh, exploring the highlands, attending a Gaelic festival, or listening to live local music at a local bar, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Scottish-influenced atmosphere.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.