Nova Scotia Vacation Rentals

History buffs seeking Nova Scotia cottage rentals will find a vacation home destination with a fascinating history.

Early Colonial History

Although “Nova Scotia” means “New Scotland,” the first Europeans to establish a permanent settlement were the French at Port Royal in 1605, naming their colony “Acadia” and eventually making their capital at Annapolis Royal in the southwest. Acadia consisted not just of modern-day Nova Scotia, but the entire peninsula, including what is now the province of New Brunswick. On their arrival, the French encountered the native Mi’kmaq Indians, most of whom they converted to Catholicism. The French were driven out of Nova Scotia proper by the British in 1710 as part of Queen Anne’s War, which culminated in the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 that left New Brunswick and Cape Breton Island (Ile Royale) to the Acadians, while giving the British a permanent colony. The year after King George’s War (1744-1748) ended, Edward Cornwallis (uncle of General Charles Cornwallis, whose defeat at Yorktown marked the climactic battle of the American Revolution) founded the city of Halifax as the new capital of Nova Scotia with a group of English and German settlers, touching off Father Le Loutre’s War. This war ended in 1755 with the expulsion of the Acadians from the entire peninsula, and a new group of colonists, known as the New England Planters, brought in. (The displaced Acadians would join fellow French colonists in Louisiana; the word “Cajun” is a corruption of “Acadian.”) The end of the French and Indian War in 1763 formally added New Brunswick to the Nova Scotia colony, along with Cape Breton Island and St. John’s Island (later renamed Prince Edward Island, which became a separate colony in 1769).

Connections to American History

During the American Revolution, Nova Scotia was both a frequent target of American privateers and regarded as the “14th colony” by patriots seeking to have it join in rebelling against the British. Nova Scotia remained a British colony, however, and became a settlement for exiled Loyalists, some 3,000 of whom were African-Americans. The increase in the number of colonists led to the partitioning of New Brunswick as a separate colony in 1784.

Perhaps in retaliation for having been visited by pirates during the American Revolution, Nova Scotia became a haven and source of funds and equipment for British privateers during the War of 1812. Deadman’s island off the coast of Halifax served as a prisoner-of-war camp for the crew of the USS Chesapeake when it was captured in 1813 by the HMS Shannon and taken into Halifax Harbor. Nova Scotia had established representative government in 1758, which led to self-governance within the British Empire by 1848. Although it, like the rest of the Empire, was officially neutral during the Civil War, thousands of Nova Scotians fought for the North during the Civil War, although the colony continued to trade equally with both sides during the conflict and profited handsomely.

Joining the Canadian Confederation

Two years after the American Civil War ended, Nova Scotia premier Charles Tupper led his people to join with New Brunswick and the province of Canada (now the modern provinces of Ontario and Quebec) to form the Canadian Confederation on July 1, 1867. The merger was not immediately popular; Nova Scotia’s Anti-Confederation Party, led by Joseph Howe, who had been responsible 20 years earlier for Nova Scotia’s achievement of self-governance, saw his party take 36 of the provincial legislature’s 38 seats and 18 of the available 19 seats in the Canadian Parliament.

While Nova Scotia has previously focused primarily on telling the story of its Scottish forebears in deference to its name, in recent years, it has broadened its approach, allowing tourists seeking Nova Scotia cottage rentals a better understanding of the history behind its present cultural diversity.

There are lots of places to see and things to do in Nova Scotia. As a guide, here are tips for travelers seeking Nova Scotia cottage rentals or other attractions within the province (you can check out even more at the Perfect Places Vacation Rentals blog):

Halifax Metro Area

Capital and largest city of the province, Halifax mixes its maritime history with the bustle of a modern-day urban environment. You can cruise along Halifax Harbour or walk the length of it and see a display of tall ships interspersed with a number of maritime museums. You can watch the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site or be entertained at the International Busker Festival.

If you’re more of a landlubber, you can hit the art galleries, boutiques, theaters, and museums of downtown Halifax, or take in a live music show at any of the pubs in town. If you take a smartphone with you when you travel, you can download an app to provide you with information on Halifax places and events.

Eastern Shore

Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore runs from the outskirts of Halifax north to Canso. Visitors can stop anywhere along the Marine Drive that connects Halifax with the Canso Causeway to view stretches of rugged Atlantic coastline or to enjoy any of the activities available on its beaches. The provincial beaches at Lawrencetown and Martinique are famous for their surfing, with an assortment of schools to help the novice hang five or ten alongside more experienced surfers, who can compete in Lawrencetown’s September Storm Classic. For those who prefer to show off their construction skills instead of their surfing skills, the Clam Harbour Beach Sand Castle Competition lets them pit their silica structures against those of other competitors. The Eastern Shore also offers two living history villages, Sherbrooke Village and Memory Lane Heritage Village. If music festivals strike a chord with you, attend the Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Canso, which offers a mix of blues, bluegrass, Celtic, country, and rock with the folk music its namesake was noted for.

Cape Breton Island

Nova Scotia cottage rentals on Cape Breton Island provide access to some of the greatest natural scenery the province has to offer. Such vistas as the Highlands Mountains, the Bras d’Or Lakes in the island’s center, and the Margaree River Valley are available on the island four scenic trails: the Cabot Trail, the Ceilidh Trail, the Bras d’Or Scenic Drive, and the Fleur-de-lis/Marconi/Sydney Trails.

If drinking in the scenic views isn’t enough, you can drink in the island’s Celtic heritage at Iona’s Highland Village, where you can learn to pronounce the names on the signs that dot the island, as well as crafts, tales, and songs. Ceilidhs (“KAY-lees”) throughout the summer and the International Celtic Colours Festival in the fall further extend the Celtic culture. You can also visit the Fortress of Louisbourg and Alexander Graham Bell Historic Sites if you prefer to imbibe in military or scientific history.

Northumberland Shore

Landing place of the first Scotsmen to settle in Nova Scotia, the Northumberland Shore region honors the people the province was named for at the Antigonish Highland Games and the Hector Festival, each featuring traditional Scottish dress, activities, and music. If the skirl of bagpipes grates on your ears, you may prefer the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee or the Pictou Lobster Carnival.

The Northumberland Shore also holds the distinction of having more warm-water ocean beaches than anywhere else in Nova Scotia or the other maritime provinces. You can experience other outdoor vistas by kayaking in Antigonish Harbor, going birding on the Wallace Bay Wildlife Trail, or going for the complete range of farmland, beach fronts, and salt marshes the region has to offer by traveling the length of the Sunrise Trail from Amherst to Auld’s Cove.

Bay of Fundy and Annapolis Valley

The fjord-like Bay of Fundy features the greatest tides anywhere on planet Earth, swelling up to 54 feet (16.5 meters). This high/low tide cycle has created dramatic seascapes along Nova Scotia’s west coast, which can be seen close-up by hiking or kayaking along the water’s edge. The wave cycle also creates a tidal bore with rapids that can be rafted like those of a whitewater river. The Bay of Fundy also abounds in marine mammals, including whales, porpoises, dolphins, and seals, as well as hosting a variety of bird life. The bay has long been a home to a variety of sea life; at low tide, you can examine the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site, which features fossils that date back 350 million years.

The Annapolis Valley was the home of Nova Scotia’s earliest residents, the Mi’kmaq Indians, and was where explorer Samuel de Champlain brought the first colonists from France, the Acadians, to settle. Historic sites such as the Grand Pre-National and those at Port-Royal and Fort Anne tell their story. A statue of Evangeline, heroine of Longfellow’s poem, can be found at Grand Pre-National, while the Glooscap Trail that runs from Windsor to Amherst tells the story of the legendary Mi’kmaq shaman said to have mastered the Bay of Fundy’s tides and created the nearby Five Islands.

Yarmouth and Acadian Shores

Choosing a Nova Scotia cottage rental on the southwestern-most tip of the peninsula puts you in the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores region, whose Evangeline and Lighthouse Trails link this region to the adjacent Bay of Fundy/Annapolis Valley and South Shore regions. As the region’s name implies, it is steeped in Acadian culture, as evidenced by the village of Pubnico, which boasts a history and genealogy museum and an annual Acadian culture festival. The region also boasts both the massive Cape Forchu Lighstation in Yarmouth, the venerable Argyle Township Courthouse in Tusket, and St. Mary’s Church, the largest church in North America made of wood.

South Shore

The South Shore region is dotted with over 20 lighthouses, the most famous being the granite stone lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, with the Fort Point Lighthouse in LaHave another popular photo op. The South Shore was also a frequent target of American privateers near the end of the Revolutionary War; Liverpool’s Privateer Days re-enacts these battles for tourists fascinated with pirate lore. Other festivals include Shelburne’s Whirligig and Weathervane Festival and Mahone Bay’s Great Scarecrow Festival and Antique Fair.

Nova Scotia cottage rentals are available in each of the province’s regions. When choosing the right rental for you, consider the activities you enjoy and which region offers the most of those activities closest to where you want to be.

Foodies who seek Nova Scotia cottage rentals will find the province has much to offer them during their stay.

As can be expected from a maritime province, Nova Scotia abounds in seafood. The Northumberland Shore and Yarmouth areas are both renowned for lobster, with West Pubnico’s Acadian Festival incorporating a lobster crate run for visitors to take part in. The Annapolis Valley is famous for its Digby scallops, and visitors to the Eastern Shore can enjoy smoked salmon by J. Willy Krauch & Sons hot or cold, infused with flavorings such as garlic, lemon, or maple.

Other good places to dine on the Eastern Shore are the MacDonald House Team Room in Lawrencetown and the Cheer Tea Room in Sherbrooke. The Press Gang in Halifax mixes local food items with exotic meats like kangaroo and ostrich. If you have special dietary requirements, try the Schoolhouse Gluten-Free Gourmet near Mahone Bay. To sample a number of good restaurant offerings at once, consider visiting Slow Food Nova Scotia’s Spring Supper, which features samples of a dozen restaurants, including Chives Canadian Bistro, Chanterelle Country Inn, and Le Caveau.

Nova Scotia is also home to fine wine. The Annapolis Valley region boasts to 11 wineries alone, with varieties such as Marchael Foch and L’Acadie Blanc, and the Jost Vineyards in Malagash in the Northumberland Shore is noted for its ice wine. If you prefer beer to wine, you can enjoy a mug of microbrew at one of the brew pubs in Halifax, while whiskey connoisseurs will appreciate the single-malt Scotch from the Glenora Distillery on Cape Breton Island.

Visitors who enjoy eating local produce can choose from a variety of items at the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market. Those who want to learn more about where their food comes from can visit Sugar Moon Farm in the Northumberland Shore region to learn more of how maple sap is turned into maple syrup, while dairy aficionados can visit the Farmer’s Dairy Cooperative Ltd. in Windsor.

Nova Scotia cottage rentals are equipped with the same 110-volt two- or three-prong outlets you’ll find in the United States. You won’t need special adapters unless you bring along 220-volt equipment or equipment that uses a different plug style, although travel surge protectors for your electronics are recommended. You should also pack appropriate clothing, such as a sweater and light raincoat for the Nova Scotia summer and suitable clothing for subfreezing to subzero winter temperatures, as well as proper footwear if you plan to hike one of the province’s many trails.

Most places accept major credit cards such as American Express, MasterCard, and Visa, with ATMs located at banks, shopping centers, and elsewhere. For cash purchases, however, you’ll need to exchange your American dollars for Canadian dollars; the best place to exchange currency in Nova Scotia is the Bank of Nova Scotia. The Canadian money system is structured the same as the American, except that Canadians use $1 and $2 coins instead of paper $1 and $2 bills. For security, you can obtain traveler’s checks in Canadian currency. Expect to pay a 15% Harmonized Sales Tax on each purchase in Nova Scotia and to tip from 12 to 15% for a restaurant meal.

Both English and French are official languages in all of Canada, but you’ll see most Nova Scotia signs in English – with British spellings, such as “harbour” instead of “harbor” and “theatre” instead of “theater.” Measurements are in the metric system, with distance in kilometers, weight in grams or kilograms, and gasoline sold by the liter. Speeds are posted in kilometers per hour, with the usual maximum speed limit in cities being 50 km/hr and 80 km/hr on the highway.

You’ll need a valid U.S. passport or other proof of citizenship to enter Canada, but not a visa unless you plan to visit for 180 days or more. (You must have a valid passport to return to the United States by air.) If you have any criminal convictions on your record, however, you may need to obtain a waiver before being allowed to cross the border. Before departing, you can register yourself and the address of your Nova Scotia cottage rental with the U.S. Consulate General in Halifax or the main U.S. Embassy in Ottawa in case of emergency. (For the most current information, see the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Travel.State.Gov website.)

Travelers considering Nova Scotia cottage rentals should first familiarize themselves with the weather and climate conditions for the province in general and the area in which they plan to rent.

Although one of Canada’s maritime provinces, Nova Scotia has a climate closer to that of one of the inland provinces, except for the greater humidity. Average summer temperatures range from 58 to 82 °F (14 to 28 °C) and winter temperatures range from -5 to 40 °F (-20 to 5 °C), with spring and fall temperatures ranging from 34 to 68 °F (1 to 20 °C). The depth of the Bay of Fundy to the west and Atlantic Ocean to the south and east, along with the presence of the Gulf Stream, moderates the climate in those areas, but increases the average annual rainfall in the south (55 inches or 140 cm, as opposed to 40 inches or 100 cm elsewhere). In contrast, the relative shallowness of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to the north accounts for the winter and summer extremes in that portion of the province.

However, because the province projects into the Atlantic Ocean, anyone seeking Nova Scotia cottage rentals should be prepared for the possibility of a hurricane during the summer or fall, as the province has been hit by 33 tropical storms since 1871, including Category-1 Hurricane Earl in September 2010 and the more destructive Hurricane Juan in 2003. The cooler waters of the mid-temperate zone Atlantic usually significantly weaken approaching tropical storms, however.