March 28, 2021

Manitoba Salutes Kilt Skate Triumph

March 28, 2021/ Don Cummer

“This week, a signal honour was bestowed upon the City of Winnipeg that embodies so much of what is great about our capital city: volunteerism, pride in cultural heritage and rivers to skate away on. On Monday, March 21, Winnipeg, Manitoba, was declared the Kilt Skate Capital of Canada by the Scottish Society of Ottawa, beating out Moncton, New Brunswick; Mauricie, Quebec; Regina, Saskatchewan; Almonte, Portland; Victoria Harbour and Lake Dalrymple, Ontario; and Calgary, Alberta…”

March 21, 2021

The 2021 Kilt Skate Capital of Canada

March 21, 2021/ Don Cummer

To sum up: many former kilt skate capitals and many new communities responded to the challenge of the Great Canadian Kilt Skate — Home Edition. But there was one city that was a standout this year. For one thing, it sent us more pictures than any other community.

January 31, 2021

Week 4: Media Trifecta for Winnipeg

January 31, 2021/ Don Cummer

On Robbie Burns Day day itself, Cathy was interviewed by CTV Television under the title “How You can help Winnipeg become Canada’s Kilt Skate Capital.” Cathy again emphasizes that you don’t have to be Scottish to participate in the kilt skate. “You only have to have Scottish spirit, which all of us have inside us.” She was also asked whether it’s ok to wear longjohns under the kilt. Some may dispute her answer, but let me point out that Cathy has been skating daily throughout a very cold Winnipeg winter. And that “Scottish spirit”” she talks about includes a healthy dose of pragmatism.

January 24, 2020

Waving the Flag in Winnipeg

January 24, 2020/ Don Cummer

This was the second year in which Winnipeg held its kilt skate indoors. This proved more comfortable and reliable in a city where, some years, skaters braved temperatures of 40-below and another year the skate had to be cancelled because warm weather made the outdoor ice unsafe. Indoor events meant that skaters could eschew the need for warm clothing, and dress in whatever attire helped add to the festivities.

November 18, 2019

And the 2019 Kilt Skate Capital is...

November 18, 2019/ Don Cummer

In 2018, the counties of Glengarry introduced an important innovation to the kilt skate phenomenon. For the first time, a skate was held in an indoor arena, combined with a social full of music, food and beverages and lots of fellowship in the warmth of an arena hall. Glengarry kept the event indoors again in 2019, and within a few days, a video of the skating had 200,000 likes on Facebook.

January 16, 2019

Pictures from Winnipeg's Kilt Skate

January 16, 2019/ Don Cummer

Sunday’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate was one of the best attended that Winnipeg has seen.

January 14, 2019

Winnipeg: early reports on a great skate date

January 14, 2019/ Don Cummer

It’s estimated that 40-50 kilted skaters joined in the fun. The day’s entertainment included a skating piper and the Kids in Kilts Highland dance troupe. The event was covered by CBC Radio, CTV, City TV, and Global News — all of which augers well for future kilt skates as more Manitobans learn about this uniquely Canadian way to celebrate Scottish heritage.

February 15, 2018

Winnipeg: kilt skating at 30-below

February 15, 2018/ Don Cummer

The temperatures in Western Canada on the morning of Sunday, February 11, dropped to the minus-20 range. In Calgary, the skaters were sheltered somewhat by the tall buildings. The Riley Family Duck Pond in Assiniboine Park, on the other hand, has little to shelter it from winds that sweep down from the Arctic. Wind chill made the temperature feel like it was 30-below.

February 02, 2018

Winnipeg: a seventh kilt skate city!

February 02, 2018/ Don Cummer

WINNIPEG – On Sunday, February 11, at the Riley Family Duck Pond, Qualico Family Centre, Assinboine Park, the people of Winnipeg will take to the ice in their kilts, tartans and other Scottish regalia in an effort to claim the title of “Kilt Skate Capital of Canada.”

Under the Kilt

Kilt Skate