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A People's Estate

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Welcome to Glenaladale, a 530-acre Estate overlooking Prince Edward Island’s Tracadie Bay ― an extraordinary place both alive and historic, where you can experience our past, play and learn.

Settled in 1772, Glenaladale House and Estate is at the heart of Island history and homestead to a legendary Canadian family, including two Individuals of National Historical Significance to Canada: Captain John MacDonald, and his grandson Sir William Christopher Macdonald. It was a private residence for nearly 250 years, until 2018 when Glenaladale Heritage Trust bought it, making it a public asset for all to enjoy.

Today, we are a registered charity striving to preserve and rejuvenate this critical piece of Canadian history.

Glenaladale has connections to most Islanders: the Mi’kmaq, Acadians, Scots, Irish, and English. And as home to two extraordinary families, the MacDonalds and MacKinnons, it is truly a fascinating place of innovation, industry and discovery. That "spirit of place" remains ― waiting for you to experience it!

Through strategic development, Glenaladale aims to truly become a People's Estate; a premier destination for Islanders and our many visitors each year. As we work to improve our ancestral connections, cultural experiences, and environmental sustainability, an estate like Glenaladale has never been more important!

Jason MacGregor CD Appointed as Executive Director

Portrait photo of Jason backdropped by field and bay in winter.
Jason MacGregor CD, Executive Director

Jason grew up on The Northside outside Souris (PEI), a community populated by descendants of the Glenaladale Settlers, including his own family.

He is an alumnus of the University of King’s College in Halifax (Nova Scotia), University of London (England), and served in senior leadership positions with the Canadian Army. His experience includes capital project planning in Halifax and Montréal, and leading over 50 personnel in Ottawa’s Ceremonial Guard at Parliament Hill and Rideau Hall. He released as an Adjutant (Warrant Officer) in 2018.

Most recently, Jason worked in communications and development at the University of Oxford, where he lived since 2018. In 2022, PEI’s Executive Council appointed him to the Poverty Elimination Council, on which he currently serves as chair. In 2023, he and his partner moved home to the Island.

Jason lives in Annandale with his partner, enjoys the outdoors, playing music, and Scottish Country Dance once a week. 

Glenaladale 2030

Following Jason's appointment as Executive Director in December 2023, Glenaladale Heritage Trust also approved the creation of Glenaladale 2030. Under Jason's leadership, this strategic development plan aims to not only preserve this critical piece of history but also aligns the Estate to PEI’s ambitious net-zero goals. By working with government, local and international partners, we are striving to make this historic Estate a masterpiece of sustainable rural development — a "People's Estate" where past meets future, and community flourishes.

To learn more about Glenaladale 2030, including how to support our vision, please reach out to Jason at the button below.

The Sculpture Forest at Glenaladale

HOME. 

Who We Were, Are, and Will Be.

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The Past

The “Glenaladale Settlement” was the earliest large Scottish emigration scheme to what we now call Canada.

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Present

When in 2012 the House was shuttered and property listed for sale, a group of community volunteers formed the Glenaladale Heritage Trust.

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Future

Panels are placed to help visitors interpret the property outside, while in the Schoolhouse, interior displays detail the history of Glenaladale and the Celtic diaspora on PEI.

Three Siblings, Loyal to the Crown

When, with the onset of the American Revolution, duty called – John MacDonald raised a battalion from among his tenants, other early settlers to St John’s Island, and settlers in neighbouring Nova Scotia. He received the commission of Captain and spent 1776-1783 protecting these new British Colonies.

John’s brother Donald was also commissioned as a lieutenant in a different battalion. He later died during the Battle of Porto Playa in the Cape Verde Islands, off the coast of Africa.

Meanwhile, one woman who played a key role in the successful settlement of St John’s Island, was Captain John and Donalds’ sister, Helen “Nelly” MacDonald. Following her brothers’ commissioning during the American Revolution, "Miss Nelly" was given the responsibility of managing Captain John’s Estate.

Sir William 

Several years after William C Mcdonald took full ownership of McDonald and Brothers Co., he became one of Canada’s richest men. He served as governor of the Montréal General Hospital, was a director and the largest shareholder of the Bank of Montreal, and a director of the Royal Trust Company.

William was knighted for his philanthropic endeavours, primarily for education. His strong interest in agriculture and rural sciences education and ecology led him to co-found the Macdonald Movement for Rural Education, with Macdonald Consolidated schools built in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.