Immigration into north Cumberland County has come in from many directions over the past 400 years. The Mi'kmaq were displaced by settlers from Europe and later from America as Empire Loyalists moved into British Canada in the late eighteenth century.
A significant number of families came to the area from Scotland, particularly during the Highland clearances (1750s to the 1850s). Many arrived in Nova Scotia (New Scotland) with not much more than their heritage, language and culture. Today, most of the Gaelic speakers in Nova Scotia are in Cape Breton and Antigonish and Pictou counties.
When the Gathering of the Clans moved to Pugwash in 1951, part of the preparations of this Scottish festival was the changes in the existing street names of the Village. Pugwash became the first community in North America to have bilingual English/Gaelic signs and they have been maintained in both languages ever since.
Click on the buttons or phtotos to hear how each street name sounds in Gaelic. Look in the section below for how other places, common words or phrases are pronounced.
Black Street Sràid Mhic 'Ille Dhuibh
Brickyard Road Rathad Gàradh Na Breice
Church Street Sràid Na H-Eaglais
Gulf Shore Road Rathad Cladach A Chamuis
Harbour View Lane Slighe Sealladh na h-Acarsaide
Irishtown Road Rathad Baile na h-Eireannach
Miller Road Rathad A' Mhuileir
Prince Albert Street Sràid A' Phrionns' Ailbeirt
Queen Street Sràid Na Ban-Rìghinn
Russel Street Sràid An Ruadhain
Shea Island Road Rathad Eilean Séaghdha
Victoria Street Sràid Bhioctoria
Water Street Sràid An Uisge