Her famous voyage took place in 1773 with a departure date around the second week of July, carrying 189 Highlanders who were immigrating to Nova Scotia. The vessel's owner, Mr. John Pagan, along with Dr. John Witherspoon, purchased three shares of land near Pictou, Nova Scotia. Pagan and Witherspoon hired John Ross as a recruiting agent for settlers willing to emigrate to Pictou with an offer of free passage, 1 year of free provisions, and a farm. The settlers (23 families, 25 single men) were recruited at Greenock Renfrewshire and at Lochbroom (Ross-shire) with the majority being from Lochbroom. The settlers that boarded "Hector" were poor, "obscure, illiterate crofters and artisans from Northern , who spoke Gaelic." The school teacher, William McKenzie was one of the few passengers on the "Hector" to speak both Gaelic and English.