The Return to Community Kilt Skates

It’s 2022 and the Great Canadian Kilt Skate is back in full force for community skating. This marks the eighth year in which the Scottish Society of Ottawa has helped organize kilt skates — not only in Ottawa but across Canada. After last year’s very successful “Home Edition” where skaters took to the ice in their own socially distanced bubbles, this year provided an opportunity at last to get together socially.

The Scottish Society of Ottawa prides itself in always hosting its kilt skate outdoors. This can prove challenging some years — including this overcast, cold and windy winter’s day at the Lansdowne Park Skating Court. But the temperature was not so cold as to prevent the pipers from adding to the festivities.

The VIPs gathered for the opening ceremonies. That’s Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and Ontario’s Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Lisa MacLeod — both longtime friends of the Scottish Society of Ottawa and the Great Canadian Kilt Skate.

They were welcomed by the Scottish Society of Ottawa’s Chair, Jane Torrance…

And serenaded by Skye MacDiarmid who, in addition to leading the national anthem, gave a moving rendition of “Flower of Scotland.”

Mayor Watson noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the City’s decision to save the Aberdeen Pavilion (that big yellow building in the background). It’s one of Ottawa’s architectural treasures, and has been put to good use over the years — including for the Scottish Society of Ottawa’s annual New Year’s Eve party, Hogman-eh!

The Mayor also took the occasion to declare Saturday, February 26, 2022 as Great Canadian Kilt Skate day in the City of Ottawa.

Minister MacLeod, for her part, spoke of the rich multicultural diversity of the Province of Ontario — “the world in one province,” she said. She herself comes from Cape Breton, where there is a strong Scottish tradition but, as yet, no kilt skating. Maybe she’s the very person to serve as kilt skate ambassador to her old home town of New Glasgow — being an adept kilt skater herself!

The official party cut the ribbon and the Eighth Annual Great Canadian Kilt Skate began.

Skaters circled the Lansdowne rink.

It was an occasion to catch up with old friends and make new friends. These three lads had arrived for their first Ottawa kilt skate, but their tartans indicate that they’re veterans of the Kilt Run that takes place each summer in nearby Perth, Ontario.

The Scottish Society of Ottawa photo op mascot, “Nessie,” was on hand. “I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille.”

And this year as we remain cautious and continue to implement Covid protocols, in lieu of the cake that is traditionally served at the Great Canadian Kilt Skate, the Scottish Society offered instead specially made and individually wrapped “Ottawa Edition” cookies.

Ontario is slowly emerging from its Covid protocols.

But one innovation introduced because of Covid is likely to remain an important part of the Great Canadian Kilt Skate for years to come: the Home Edition, where individuals and families are invited to send their pictures of their own kilt skate event in their back yard, or local hockey rink or the pond down the road. Ottawa is particularly blessed with skating options, including the Rideau Canal Skateway.