Kilt skating has spread across Canada and south into the USA but its heartland remains the Ottawa Valley.

The first community kilt skate took place in Ottawa in 2015. Within a couple of years, kilt skates were held “down the Valley” in the Glengarry townships — alternating between North and South Glengarry. And on Saturday, February 17, 2024, the first kilt skate was held “up the Valley” at the Rankin Culture and Recreation Centre in Pembroke, Renfrew County Ontario.

“It was a small kilt skate for the first one in the Renfrew County,” reports Whitney Brooks, the event organizer. “But, the community came together and showed up!” In addition to being a kilt skate organizer, Whitney is the Membership Director of the Scottish Society of Ottawa. For 10 years, SSO has helped organizations across Canada host kilt skates and Whitney was able to transfer some best practices to the inaugural Renfrew County kilt skate — including setting up an information table at the event.

Other community organizations were invited to set up information booths, including the Renfrew Country Scottish Country Dancers.

An Ottawa Valley kilt skate usually features an opening ceremony. The Renfrew County event included Mayor James Brose of North Algona Wilberforce Township and piper Ray Lavallee of the Renfrew Highland Pipes and Drum Band.

Using SSO’s ceremonial “golden” scissors, the mayor cut the ribbon and the inaugural kilt skate was launched.

Sponsors and donations, crafts and wares also have their place at an Ottawa Valley kilt skate. Whitney explains, “We had some success with sponsorship — amazing sponsors like Custom Draperies and Ashley Furniture of Pembroke, and Deep River Pharmacy and UK Goodies.

“One sponsor paid for the rink and the use of the rec center,” says Whitney. “They also contributed a door prize along with three other companies. I think having businesses support the kilt skate gave it a bigger sense of community togetherness. We were contacted by people in the community who wanted to get involved and volunteered their time as well. Local radio was also very helpful in promoting the kilt skate.”

For musical entertainment, in addition to the bagpipes, Whitney turned to Ron Roach — who is a former director of SSO.

For the inaugural kilt skate, Whitney adopted many best practices initiated by the Scottish Society of Ottawa. She also added a new component of her own: raising money for a favoured charity — Wounded Warriors, which is dedicated to the mental health of veterans, first responders, and their families.

Whitney explains, “I added Wounded Warriors Canada to the event because we need to get the message out about what they have to offer and how important services like them are. Their programs support individuals, couples, spouses, surviving family members and children of those who serve or have served our country and communities. They offer a wide range of clinically facilitated programs that have been developed to support the unique needs of veterans, first responders and their families.

“We accepted cash donations and we didn't make it obligatory to donate. The wrist bands were free to all attendees. I think our biggest priority was to spread awareness and promote Wounded Warriors Canada. Having CFB Petawawa close by was also a motivator to have people wanting to be involved as well. “

The opening ceremonies, the bagpipes, the songs, the charities and the booths all contributed to the festive atmosphere on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Renfrew County. But let’s not forget the purpose that brought everyone together in the first place.

You have to lace up your skates…

…and skate!

And pass on the flag…

So that everyone has a turn.

And in Renfrew County, they did that too!

Congratulations, Whitney, on Renfrew County’s first annual Great Canadian Kilt Skate. You’ve established a terrific foundation to build on.  

Photographs courtesy of Neon Moon Photography. Whitney would also like to thank Tracy Perreault (former SSO board member) for her help with the kilt skate in Renfrew County.