Re-imagining the past: The construction of resettled communities as tourist attractions in Newfoundland and Labrador and Scotland

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the country of Scotland have many similarities, among them a legacy of resettled communities, the result of the modernization process. With the emerging industries of tourism and off-shore oil, each region has found itself in a position to re-examine the past. The creation of resettled communities as tourist attractions has raised questions regarding how history and heritage are incorporated in their construction. While these sites provide the ideal opportunity to present a different perspective from the national narrative, they often merely reinforce stereotypes instead of challenging them. Their construction results in little more than a purchasable experience instead of providing a voice to those who once lived there.