Two brothers from Scotland explored regions in southeast Northwest Territories (later Saskatchewan) during 1884-1888. One of them, Thomas Douglas knew Frímann B. Anderson who in 1887 led a small group of Icelanders from Winnipeg in search of a future settlement site west of Manitoba. The other brother, James Moffat guided the Icelanders to Qu´Appelle Valley where they eventually established the Hólar Settlement. James admitted he felt at home in the valley, it reminded him of the land surrounding Tantallon Castle in Scotland and he chose that name for the little village forming in the valley and is called Tantallon. Icelandic businessmen did not rush to the new village probably because the stream of immigrants was small and did not pass through the valley. A post office was opened August 1, 1897 and incorporation of the village was on June 17, 1904. They probably realized better opportunities were elsewhere, Tantallon never became a large Icelandic community. However, a few tried their luck. The first one was Jón Þórsteinsson who managed his own livery stable during 1905-1909. Jón Júlíus Jónsson bought it in 1914 and it was in operation for some time. Oddur Oddsson opened the village hotel and ran it for a few years before selling and moving to Langruth, Manitoba. Last but not least, Sigurður Jónsson was a grain buyer for North Star Grain Co. Ltd. and he lived in Tantallon.
Main Street Tantallon. The village is in the center of the valley. The hills in the back of the photo show cultivated parts as well as trees close to the top. Photo Prairie Towns.