Establishment of the Colony
In 1629, a group of 70 Scottish settlers arrived in Acadia, with the aim of establishing a new colony. Led by Sir William Alexander the younger, these settlers were largely from the Lowlands of Scotland, and they brought with them their language, culture, and customs.
They were attracted to Acadia by its strategic location and natural resources, which offered opportunities for trade and commerce. The Scottish settlers also saw Acadia as a way to establish a foothold in the New World and to spread their influence in North America.
They were determined to create a home in the New World and named their settlement “Charles Fort”. A place intended to be the capital of the new colony; “New Scotland”.
The colony was a bold experiment in Scottish colonization, and its establishment marked the beginning of a new era in the history of North America.
The Role of the Kirke Brothers
During the same period, the Kirke brothers, a group of English adventurers led by Sir David Kirke, were active in the region, raiding French settlements and trading posts.
The Kirkes’ goal was to disrupt French trade and commerce in the area. They wanted to gain control of the lucrative fur trade. They also hoped to establish their own settlements and trading posts in the land, and to spread English influence in North America.
In 1629, the Kirkes captured the French settlement of Quebec, and their victory had significant implications for the new Scottish colony.
The Kirkes’ success gave the Scottish colonists a temporary advantage. The French were forced to redirect their attention to retaking their lost settlement and did not focus all their attention on Charles Fort.
The capture of Quebec was a devastating blow to the French, and it marked the beginning of a period of English dominance in the region.
Challenges Facing the Colony
Despite this slight reprieve, the Scottish colonists struggled to survive. They lacked the necessary skills to build and maintain a successful colony, and the harsh winters took a heavy toll on the population.
The colonists also faced considerable challenges in terms of supplies, as they were often unable to obtain the necessary food and materials from Scotland.
Many of them died from illnesses such as scurvy and smallpox, which were prevalent in the colony due to the lack of proper medical care.
Moreover, the colony was eventually troubled by conflicts with the French – who had established nearby settlements – and were determined to drive the Scots out. To the French, the Scottish colony as a threat to their own interests in North America. They were determined to eliminate it.
The conflicts between the Scots and the French were often violent, and this marked the beginning of a long and bloody struggle for control of Acadia.
The Demise of the Colony
In 1632, the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye was signed and with the stroke of a pen Scotland’s brief foray into Acadia ended. The treaty returned Acadia to the French, and the Scottish settlers would be forced to abandon their homes and return to Scotland.
The treaty was a terrible blow to the Scottish colonists, who had invested heavily in the colony and had hoped to establish a permanent settlement in North America. Many of them had built homes, started families, and established businesses in the colony. The thought of leaving behind everything they had worked for was a bitter pill to swallow.
The Kirkes, who had initially been allies of the Scottish colonists, eventually became a thorn in their side, as they began to pursue their own interests in the region.
Soon, the French reoccupied the settlement of Charles Fort, which they renamed “Port Royal”. Once again it became a key French outpost in North America.
Three Year Run
The Scottish colony of Charles Fort was short-lived. Still, its story serves as a reminder of the complex and often fraught history of European settlement in North America.
Scotland’s influence in the region would endure. In the centuries that followed, Scotland would go on to have a profound impact on the province of Nova Scotia.
Many Scots would settle in the province. And with them came their language, customs, and traditions.
