Belfast, Prince Edward Island — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
The Selkirk Settlement
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L’Établissement de Selkirk
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 22, 2026
1. The Selkirk Settlement Marker
The settlement founded in this area by Thomas Douglas, Fifth Earl of Selkirk, was the first systematic attempt to direct to British North America the tide of dispossessed Highlanders which had been flowing to industrial Britain and the United States. The 800 settlers who arrived here in 1803 aboard the Polly, Dykes, and Oughton enjoyed Selkirk's financial support and personal supervision, and settled on land which he had purchased. Together with earlier immigrants from the Highlands and Hebrides, the Selkirk settles established an enduring Scottish tradition in Prince Edward Island.
La fondation d'un établissement dans ce voisinage par Thomas Douglas, cinquième comte de Selkirk, marqua la première tentative systématique pour diriger vers l'Amérique du Nord britannique le flot d'Ecossais démunis qui déferlaient vers les régions industrialisées de la Grande-Bretagne et vers les Etats-Unis. Les 800 colons qui arrivèrent à bord du Polly, du Dykes et de l'Oughton en 1803 s'établirent sur un territoire acheté par Selkirk et bénéficièrent de son appui financier
this page online
Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Government of Canada.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.
Location. 46° 5.637′ N, 62° 54.76′ W. Marker is in Belfast, Prince Edward Island. It is on Selkirk Park Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker can be seen near campground entrance, open to everyone with lots of parking. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Belfast PE C0A 1A0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Maritimes and in Atlantic Canada. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony and also the Viceroyalty of New France.
Other nearby markers. At least
Photographed by Jay Noble, August 22, 2026
2. The Selkirk Settlement Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2026, by Jay Noble of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
