International Kilt Skate Weekend -- Ottawa

The Great Canadian Kilt Skate has gone international. This weekend will see nine kilt skates: seven in Canada, one in the USA and — for the first time ever — one in Scotland. A tradition that began as an Ottawa house party has morphed into something that tickles the funny bone, and cools the knees of Scots and wanna-be-Scots across the country and across the Atlantic.

In Ottawa, the kilt skate weekend provided sunny skies and temperatures cold enough to keep the ice hard but warm enough to take off the mitts, open the coat and get a tingle in the knees. A braw day when you didn’t mind lacing up outdoors.

A day, when even the pipes managed to stay in tune, for the most part.

A day for flying the flag.

And to pass the flag on to a new generation.

A day for learning to skate while using supports.

Or maybe just go for a ride on the supports.

A day to step out in your finest haberdashery — and let your clothes make a statement.

And this being Ottawa, a day to get together for speeches and proclamations. The representative from the Scottish Government highlights how the Great Canadian Kilt Skate has found a new home in his country.

And the local Member of Parliament shows off his brand new kilt with its maple leaf tartan.

A proclamation from the mayor declares February 8, 2008, to be Great Canadian Kilt Skate Day in the City of Ottawa. And we close the opening ceremonies with the singing of “O Canada” and “Flower of Scotland.”

The VIPs cut the ceremonial ribbon. And then it’s back to skating.

Plus a few media interviews.

Congratulations, Ottawa, on another fun kilt skate.