Apr
11
1:00 p.m.13:00

Tartan Day Trivia SSO Members & Guest

  • THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF OTTAWA (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Official City of Ottawa Tartan was designed by Jean Docton in 1966 to mark Canada's Centennial and is available to order online through Scotland Shop. Use discount code ottscot5 to get 5% discount.

Question: what is a fun and fascinating activity that you can do to celebrate Tartan Day? Answer: The Scottish Society of Ottawa’s annual Tartan Day Trivia Contest!

SSO members and guests can join us for a fun afternoon Sunday April 11th for the SSO’s Annual Tartan Day Trivia contest. In addition to Scottish Canadian Trivia there will be a, piper, food and drink and prizes for the winning teams.

Come up with a great team name and challenge yourselves with your knowledge of all things Scottish Canadian.

Thanks to our sponsor the Royal Oak.

Register your team by email with specialevents@ottscot.ca

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Apr
19
12:00 p.m.12:00

Highland Cup Euchre Tournament

  • THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF OTTAWA (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

The Scottish Society of Ottawa, along with the LoveGives non profit, are presenting our third annual Highland Cup Euchre Tournament fundraiser Sunday April 19th 12-4 p.m.

For Early Bird registration e-transfer $20 to LoveGives100@gmail.com

Nothing trumps a Euchre Tournament with fun, food, door prizes, and a Highland Champion Cup.

We’d like to thank our sponsor the Royal Oak Bank and Gloucester, who provide complimentary Gift Certificates for our winners.

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Mar
21
2:00 p.m.14:00

The Lairds of the Locks - The Scots of Bytown

  • St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Bytown turns 200 this year and the Scottish Society of Ottawa, with support of Scottish Connections fund, is thrilled to bring you this brilliant and heartfelt homage to all those pioneering immigrants who paved the way to what we know today as Ottawa!

You and your family and friends will not want to miss this magical and captivating salute to our local Canadian forefathers.

If you have ever wanted to travel back in time or simply wondered, "What was it like in the 1800's" Well buy your tickets and travel back 200 years with 'Pierre Brault' as we celebrate ' THE LAIRDS OF THE LOCKS: THE SCOTS OF BYTOWN '

Tickets are $20 for SSO members, $25 for seniors (60+) and students (18 and under) and $30 for the public, and can be paid by etransfer to treasurer@ottscot.ca or by PayPal, or Credit/Debit card using the link below:

Tickets
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Mar
7
12:00 p.m.12:00

St. Patrick's Day Parade

  • THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF OTTAWA (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

After a six year hiatus, the Irish Society of the National Capital Region St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns. Member's and supporters, (and their Scottie dogs) of the Scottish Society of Ottawa are encouraged to join us as we participate in this year’s parade.

PARADE ROUTE:

The Parade will leave the Supreme Court of Canada 301 Wellington Street at 12:00 pm and proceed eastward on Wellington Street passing in front of the Parliament Building over the Rideau Canal to Sussex Drive. Then turning Northward on Sussex Drive to York Street before turning Eastward once again into the heart of the ByWard Market. A short 1.7 Km, 23 minute walk.

Participants will form-up on the west lane entrance of the Supreme Court Building before 11:00 AM.

PARKING:

Free parking is available at St. Patrick's Basilica on Gloucester Street entrance and at the Supreme Court of Canada.

TARTAN: Wear your best tartan and/or bring your dog dressed in tartan!

If you would like to participate in the parade with the SSO RSVP to specialevents@ottscot.ca

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Feb
21
1:00 p.m.13:00

Great Canadian Kilt Skate

  • Lansdowne Park Outdoor skate rink (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join the SSO for our 12th Annual Great Kilt Skate at Lansdowne Park outdoor skate rink. As kilt skating grows every year we are now just one of 14 community events, from 3 countries, including Scotland, organized by the National Kilt Skate.

This year we will again be joined by Counselor Laura Dudas, and Head of the Scottish government in Canada, John Devine. Counselor Dudas will read the Great Canadian Kilt Skate Proclamation, and there will be kilts, bag pipers and hot chocolate, courtesy of Boccato Gelato & Crepes.

Afterward we’ll meet at Jack Astor’s Restaurant, near the rink to warm up and have some snacks.

This year we will be partnering with the Ottawa Food Bank in support of our neighbours in need. Please consider bringing a food donation (see the poster below) or donate directly using the donate link below:

DONATE


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Burns Ceilidh
Jan
24
to Jan 25

Burns Ceilidh

  • NDHQ WO & Sgt's Mess (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Burns Supper & Ceilidh

Mark your calendars! Our beloved Robert Burns Supper & Ceilidh returns on January 24, 2026, hosted at the historic NDHQ Warrant Officers’ & Sergeants’ Mess 4 Queen Elizabeth Drive.

Though our Dinner is sold out you are still invited to attend our after dinner ceilidh with entertainment featuring the Pipes and Drums of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, Highland dance by the Reel Ottawa Dance Company, vocals by soloist John Young and our lively ceilidh band Atlantic Firth. Dance the night away or relax and connect with friends old and new in our SSO community.

A night of heritage, music, and Highland spirit awaits.

Dress is Semi-Formal

Slàinte mhath!

TICKETS

Our Sponsors

We like to thank our wonderful Sponsors: The Scottish Government, ScotDance Canada, Jewitt, McLuckie & Associates LLP, Glengarry Maple, Jacobsons Gourmet Concepts, Whisky Glass Canada, and The Hill Times newspaper.



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Hogmanay Ceilidh 2025 - From the Streets of Edinburgh!
Dec
31
to Jan 1

Hogmanay Ceilidh 2025 - From the Streets of Edinburgh!

  • Blessed Sacrament Hall (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Anna Ludlow, Bang on the Ear, OHDA Dancers, and Celtic Folk Night Group.

Join the Scottish Society of Ottawa as we hold our annual New Years Eve event: Hogmanay Ceilidh 2025 - From the Streets of Edinburgh! This years venue is smaller than years past. With a capacity of 350, we are looking to bring the energy of the streets of Edinburgh on Hogmanay to our brand new venue in downtown Ottawa.

This year’s entertainment features, multiple ECMA and Music Nova Scotia nominee and winner of the Ottawa Capital Music awards in 2020 for solo artist of the year: Anna Ludlow.  And from Ontario’s Celtic heartland, Glengarry County: Bang on the Ear .

Early evening performances include dancers from the Ottawa Highland Dance Association (OHDA) and music by Celtic Folk Night Group (CFNG). They are a lively bunch of local entertainers led by Kevin Dooley - whistle, and include Charlie Gardner - guitar, Denis Lanctot - fiddle, Hazel Craig - fiddle, Greg Dauhns - fiddle, Brian Crowley - small pipes, Donald Macdonald - small pipes, Patrick and Dorothy Laplante - accordion and mandolin, and Cieran Dooley - bodhran.

Inspired by the festive energy of the original "Hogmanay" on the cobbled lanes of Edinburgh. This event will include an indoor street truck selling a hearty fare of haggis and other Scottish favorites at an additional reasonable price (Credit/debit only) to keep you dancing all night long. Don your tartan and join us for a ceilidh to remember!

Tickets on sale now.

Please note that this will be a cashless event. Debit and credit only!

Learn more
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Scottish Heritage (St. Andrew's) Day Flag Raising Ceremony
Nov
30
11:00 a.m.11:00

Scottish Heritage (St. Andrew's) Day Flag Raising Ceremony

Join the Scottish Society of Ottawa as we celebrate St. Andrew’s Day.

St Andrew is Scotland's patron saint and, on 30 November every year, Canadians celebrate St Andrew's Day along with the rest of the world. The Scottish Society of Ottawa and the St. Andrew’s Society of Ottawa will celebrate St. Andrew’s Day 2025 with a flag-raising ceremony at Ottawa City Hall.

Scottish Heritage Day received Royal Assent on June 30, 2021.

Following the Flag raising ceremony we’ll retire to Deacon Brodies and enjoy a reception with appetizers.

If you’d like to attend please RSVP: specialevents@ottscot.ca

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ScotDance Canada Championship Series
Jul
5
to Jul 9

ScotDance Canada Championship Series

Get ready, Ottawa! This summer from July 5-9, the nation’s top Highland dancers will descend upon our capital for the ScotDance Canada Championship Series 2025.

This week-long celebration of dance, music, and Scottish culture is like no other. With over 1,000 dancers expected from across Canada and beyond, this will be your chance to witness tradition, talent, and tartan as they take centre stage.

The prestigious five-day event at the Rogers Centre (formerly Shaw Centre) features:

• The Canadian Closed and ScotDance Canada Open Championships

• Competitions for all categories and age groups

• Exciting choreography showcases

Vibrant Opening Ceremonies will honour the roots of the Inter-Provincial Championships—first held in Ottawa in 1974. The week will include the highly anticipated Canada’s Capital Celebration Banquet & Gala, a highlight for dancers and families alike.

Join us in downtown Ottawa for an unforgettable celebration of Highland dance, heritage, and community — all under one roof at the Rogers Centre. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic!

Visit https://scotdance.ca/sdccs/ for full event details. Follow @sdccsottawa2025 on Instagram and Facebook for sneak peeks, announcements, and all things dance!

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Perth Kilt Run
Jun
21
6:00 p.m.18:00

Perth Kilt Run

Perth's World Record Kilt Run is back for 2025! Nearly a decade ago, they smashed the world record for the largest kilted race with 3,670 kilted runners. Despite many challengers, their Guinness World Record still stands!

Learn more
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Tartan Day Trivia
Apr
6
2:00 p.m.14:00

Tartan Day Trivia

  • THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF OTTAWA (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join the SSO for our Tartan Day Trivia contest Sunday April 6th 2 - 4pm at the Royal Oak Centrepointe, 117 Centrepointe Dr. Unit 105, Ottawa, ON.

Test your knowledge of Scottish, and Scottish Canadian persons, places, and events. There will be prizes and free pub snacks.

Teams can be 2-6 highlanders, for individuals signing up, request to be put on a team.

Come up with a catchy team name or use that crazy one you used last year. Register your team today as the event fills up quickly.

We’d like to thank our sponsors: The Scottish Government and the The Royal Oak.

Register Free
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Kilt up, Curl & Ceilidh
Mar
22
7:00 p.m.19:00

Kilt up, Curl & Ceilidh

  • THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF OTTAWA (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Fun will be on the button as the Scottish Society of Ottawa will be holding our 5th annual Kilt-up, Curl & Ceilidh Saturday March 22nd, 7 - 10pm at the Rideau Curling Club. We’ll rock the house as both new and experienced curlers can enjoy a funspiel evening of curling and includes pizza, drinks, and door prizes, including 4 free tickets to see the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, April 1st at the Meridian Theatre. After curling we’ll have a goo old fashioned music Ceilidh session.

Register
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Burns Supper
Jan
25
to Jan 26

Burns Supper

  • THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF OTTAWA (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Saturday, January 25, 2025
NDHQ Warrant Officers' & Sergeants' Mess
4 Queen Elizabeth Dr., Ottawa, ON K2P 2H9

Join us for an unforgettable Robbie Burns Supper as we honor the life and legacy of Scotland’s beloved poet, Robert Burns. This special evening promises a celebration filled with traditional Scottish food, live entertainment, and dancing with friends, family, and fellow Scots right in the heart of Ottawa.

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Hogman-eh! 2024
Dec
31
to Jan 1

Hogman-eh! 2024

The party of the year is going ahead!

We’re excited to announce our new location.

It’s beautiful, and spacious, and while it is not downtown, it is served by four major bus routes (which all connect to LRT stations). It’s near four hotels too if you decide to stay the night!

And it does offer something Lansdowne Park did not: lots of free parking in the area.

Can’t wait to welcome you there for a fun celebration!

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Celebrate St. Andrew’s Day and Scottish heritage
Nov
30
12:00 p.m.12:00

Celebrate St. Andrew’s Day and Scottish heritage

Come out on November 30 to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day and your Scottish heritage! St. Andrew is Scotland's patron saint and on this day, Canadians celebrate this day each year along with the rest of the world.

We will be welcoming you again to a flag-raising ceremony at Ottawa City Hall on Saturday, November 30th at noon. In the event of unbearable weather - even for Scottish-Canadians! - the event will be moved inside to the main floor of City Hall with appropriate signage to direct you.

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Kilt Making Event
Nov
17
2:00 p.m.14:00

Kilt Making Event

Come join us once again for an afternoon of learning about kilt-making from master kilt-maker Shirley Stapley and her assistant Julie Ricard from Marshall Bespoke Kilts. It’s a fun get-together, learning about the history of kilts and the artistry of making kilts. The noun kilt comes from the Scots verb kilt meaning to tuck up the clothes around the body. The Scots word derives from the Old Norse kjalta (meaning; laps and fold of a gathered skirt).

For extra warmth on this November day of kilt-making, Dhruvees café is licenced, and has a great selection of teas and coffees. You’ll also be able to sample the café’s menu – an extensive array of the familiar and the exotic, all moderately priced. Dhruvees owner, Donald Wingell, is half Scottish and half Indian he’s proud to have his menu reflect this, from meat pies to samosas!

This year we’re meeting at the cozy Café by Dhruvees in New Edinburgh. Unit 101, at 18 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Sunday November 17th from 2-4 pm.

Parking: Free parking behind the restaurant and street parking on Landry Street.

Tickets & Registration: Advance tickets are only $10 ($15 at the door). Tickets are available this week through the SSO website and we encourage you to get them quickly as space is limited to 35!

Listen to this fun CBC radio interview about pre-last year’s (2023) kilt-making event with “In Town and Out’s” CBC’s Giacomo Panico.

tickets
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Canada vs Scotland - World Cup of Rugby
Jul
6
5:00 p.m.17:00

Canada vs Scotland - World Cup of Rugby

July 6th

TD Place

What are you doing on Saturday July 6th?

If your answer is anything other than watching the Canadian Men take on heavyweight Scotland in the World Cup of Rugby, you should reconsider!

While Scotland is currently ranked #6 in the world, Canada comes in at #21- but we've never let that stop us before! Come out to the game and cheer on the boys at this fun & exciting tour-opening game.

PAID MEMBERS - watch your inbox for an exclusive promo code that will give you access to a VIP experience at the game. Not a Paid member? Sign up now to get access to this and other great benefits throughout the year.

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SSO Whisky Tasting
Jun
9
2:30 p.m.14:30

SSO Whisky Tasting

Mark your calendars for a June 9th whisky tasting event. Sign up soon as this event usually sells out fast. Paid members enjoy first access so become one today! We are delighted once again to have Davin de Kergommeaux as our guest presenter. Davin recently was inducted into Whisky Magazine’s Whisky Hall of Fame

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Bruce Fummy Presents - Stories of Scotland
Jun
7
7:30 p.m.19:30

Bruce Fummy Presents - Stories of Scotland

The Gladstone Theatre, 910 Gladstone Ave (at Preston)

Date: Friday June 7th 7:30-9:30 pm

Bruce Fummey brings stories of Scotland to Ontario, wrapping Scottish history and comedy into one hilarious and informative package. Bruce has spent fifteen years performing stand-up and creating Scottish history-themed shows for festivals around the world.

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