Bannoch Archives > East Coast Slang Heritage

Lord Selkirk and the Scots

Crofters

He was born into Scottish peerage in 1771 in Kirkudbrightshire, Scotland. He had not expected to ever inherit the family estate so he set out for Edinburg. Here he studied to become a lawyer. There was unrest in Scotland during this time. Scots were being ousted from their homes by greedy landlords. He had genuine concern for these displaced farmers or crofters. (A crofter was a tenent on a small farm or croft). I think he was born of a different kilt and thank goodness for that. Lord Selkirk was determined to resettle these people in British North America.

Scots in PEI

In 1799; he used his inheritance to finance, travel and locate places to settle these people. He purchased 80000 acres of land in present day Belfast PEI. He presented his plan to the British Government but they flatly refused to support his efforts. Financing three ships; he successfully relocated approximately 800 crofters to the island; in August of 1803. Each family was given an average of 100 acres of pure forest land; at a minimal price. The lands were alotted to groups of four families. This way they could provide support and comfort to each other while making their land habitable. His task at hand was highly successful. To this day, you can still find MacAulays, MacLeans, MacDonalds and many other Scottish surnames in PEI.

You might wonder what happened to Lord Selkirk. He went on to settle more of the crofters in Ontario and also played a major part in their settling in Winnipeg. In 1817; he departed North America after some involvement with the Hudson Bay Company. He spent his years in Europe where he died in Pau France in 1870. He certainly did well by his countrymen.

Check out the Scots recipe for Bannoch in Mamma’s East Coast Kitchen. Yum!

Bannoch Bread or Scone

Scottish Origin

The Scottish Bannoch was a common food in festivals and rituals and the most common one was at the changing of the Gaelic seasons. St. Brides for spring, Bealtaine for summer, Lammas for autumn harvest and Samhain for winter. There was a recipe for most any occassion. Selkirk bannoch is probably the most common and resembles a fruitcake with lots of raisins. It was named for Selkirk Scotland where it was first made.

North American Origin

Indigenous North American bannoch(Inuvialuk) is a type of flat bread. It was initially made using local resources of corn, roots, tree sap and flour from acorns and camas bulbs. It was then pan fried(stone) on an open fire. It resembled a flat bread. Today it is a traditional soul food!

There is question as to the origin of bannoch. Given the minimal resources at the time; the basic flat bread was common in England, Scotland and North America. Today’s recipes vary and you may have your favorite passed onto you by family. Bannoch; as we know it, now resembles a light and fluffy scone with or without raisins. Yum! Flat bread derives from the traditional form of Bannoch fried in a pan. Do you have a favorite recipe?

Recipe serves 8

INGREDIENTS

6 cups (1.5 L) flour

6 Tbsp (90 mL) baking powder

3 ½ cups (875 mL) milk, warmed

¼ cup (60 mL) vegetable oil

1. In large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, milk and oil. Stir until dough comes together in a ball; do not overmix. Shape into rough oval; place on baking sheet or oven-safe casserole dish.

2. Bake in 400°F (200°C) oven “until a beautiful golden brown,” about 30 minutes.

3. Serve warm or cooled.
Read more at http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/traditional-bannock/16288/#SmH57uZle4hfVwDM.99

Scots Settle in Nova Scotia

Scottish Migration

Did you ever wonder how such a large contingent of Scottish people ended up settling in Nova Scotia? A few settlers were among the earliest arrivals to settle in Nova Scotia but major arrivals did not commence until 1773. A tall ship called “Hector” arrived in Pictou with a large group of Presbyterian Scots from the north east coast of Scotland. You can visit a replica of the ship there today. In 1775; Michael MacDonald moved to the western shore of Cape Breton from Prince Edward Island. Many of his relatives and friends soon joined him and settled the present day Inverness area of Cape Breton. The Roman Catholic Scots followed suit and settled in the Antigonish area. Others soon settled around the Bra D’or Lake region of Cape Breton by 1800.

Scotland

Scotland; at this time, was extremely over populated. People left their homelands with the prospect of owning land; and not having to live under the whims of landlords. This all cemented their decisions to journey to new beginnings. After 1820; many Scots were forced to evacuate their homes during a time known as “The Clearances”. Landlords in Scotland were evicting their tenants in order to set up more profitable sheep farms. These farms were formed by consolidating many smaller properties into one large farm. This process continued up to 1840. It was over the course if these unsettling years that the Scots settle in Nova Scotia.

Scottish Culture

Naturally the Scots settled in areas where they had kin and their gaelic language was spoken. The Scots brought their culture to NS but their greatest asset was their enthusiasm to maintain it. Lively fiddle music, the bagpipes, the dance, the highland games and the storytelling through their music were part of all family and community gatherings. Visit here and you can experience and celebrate these wonderful traditions. Immerse yourself in the culture during the Celtic Colors Festival. During this fall celebration there are concerts sharing music and dance, taste the traditional foods and be part of a Ceilidh (kitchen party) and truely experience the Scottish hospitality. “Ceud Mile Failte” which means one hundred thousand welcomes to all visitors.

You know; Nova Scotia is the latin term for New Scotland. It was given this name in 1621 based on some of the earliest arrivals to the area. So you see; this is how the Scots settle in Nova Scotia in droves! We all have a much richer heritage because of it!

Check ou the Scots recipe for Bannoch in Mamma’s East Coast Kitchen. Yum!

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