The Colourful History of Braeside Country Inn
Your Hosts - Linda and Mulat
We are pleased to be your hosts at the Braeside Country Inn. With some time to explore in 2017, we found ourselves in wondrous Nova Scotia and then in beautiful Pictou. We decided it would be a good choice to move here from Ottawa / Gatineau in 2017.
Upon arrival, we immediately fell in love with a vibrant and friendly community. There is so much to see and do in this region, and we have been welcomed from the very beginning.
In April of 2017, we became the proud new owners of Braeside Inn, and we quickly discovered that it has its own special character and historical significance deeply entwined with that of the town of Pictou.
We both have over 10 years of experience in the international tourism industry that we bring to become your attentive and sweet hosts. We look forward to welcoming you to our new home, and would very much like you to consider the Braeside Inn your Home away from home.
Sincerely,
Linda, Mulat and family.
Linda has published books about her life and business in Canada
From Linda,the author & owner of Braeside Inn——
My new book "From Xinjiang to Nova Scotia" has finally been published. This is an English version with 376 pages,including color pictures.Quite a lot to read!
Thanks Lord for giving me such talent and strength to complete this book. Although there was a delay in publishing, it is still under the intended time plan. I had wanted to give up too many times, but I believe the Lord heard my plea and accepted my prayer.
"Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him, and he will bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:5)
I believe that every little flower must spend a long and lonely time underground before it blooms. So it is with my book.
I am happy to accept the congratulations from everyone who has supported and encouraged me throughout this project.
Chinese version is also avaiable.
You can read more about my books and purchase copies here
The History of Braeside Inn
Our Beginnings
It was quite an event when our Country Inn was built in 1937 as a place of rest and entertainment in the local community. The 'Braeside' which means 'Hillside', overlooks a local ship yard and former iron foundry and train station. When it was first built, each of these were going concerns that would become vital and bustling industries over the next decade. During the Second World War, guests would have been able to see upwards of 2,000 men and women building a new 'Park Ship' every month.
Post-War
In the Post-War years, the townspeople continued to hustle and bustle. Although there were fewer needs of military ships, there continued to be a strong demand for the quality workmanship produced by the men of the shipyard. At the nearby Braeside, local business leaders and socialites gathered for receptions and fun.
The hotel was a popular place to be for out of town guests, but the restaurant was a draw in Pictou. With it's decorations reminiscent of medieval times and tributes to Scottish and British heritage, King Arthur's Court heard many tall-tales from the locals... and created a few legends of its own.
A Booming Business
In the 1960's new ownership arrived in the form of Alex Joseph. Mr. Joseph had been stricken by polio at a young age, but seemed to have an incredible amount of energy. His enthusiastic touch caused the hotel to become a hotspot in the community. Long lineups were seen at the door and visitors arrived from across the province to be a part of 'the scene'. In 1967, the Pictou Advocate noted that 'The Braeside dining room was filled to capacity Saturday evening when Carl Hiltz and his orchestra played at a supper dance. A receipt from August 1953 shows the nightly room rate was just $5.
Decline... and Rise Again
Over the next decades, the hotel would see many great parties and exciting times. In many ways, its success followed the success of the community around it and for a while it fell into disrepair. With the arrival of Tom MacKay and Claude Ferland in the 1980's, the site was re-built, re-landscaped and re-vitalized. Once again, people were thrilled to come out for a luxurious meal or a New Year's dance or to observe the summer's fairs.
A thrill for the community in those days was a Royal Visit to Pictou. While in Pictou, Princess Anne participated in a special ceremony honoring the settlers who arrived on the Ship Hector. There are fond memories of her visit to our hotel in 1991.
The Next Chapter
We acquired the beautiful Braeside property in 2017 from previous owners Ann and Mike Emmett. Already we are excited by the many possibilities that our location has to offer. This beautiful setting in the heart of Pictou has allowed us to host some wonderful wedding receptions. Our conference room allows us to host corporate retreats and our kitchen and dining room mean that we can cater special events and functions. We can't be sure what the future has to offer, but we do know that The Braeside Country Inn will offer a future full of adventure for our family. Be a part of the journey... experience the Braeside Inn with us.