A New Kilt Skate Season

Winter is coming and, with it, a new kilt skate season. New Hampshire Scot, (NHSCOT) which draws its membership from across New England and beyond, told a Zoom meeting of kilt skate organizers that their second annual Great Kilt Skate will be help on Sunday, February 5, 2023, in Concord, New Hampshire.

Once again, the community’s Parks and Recreation department have made available the outdoor skating facilities at White Park. There is no charge for admission, and skates are available for rent at $5.

Last season, with the impact of the COVID outbreak receding, Concord was among the first communities to hold a public kilt skate. Participants came from as far away as Maine and from Boston, a two-hour drive. They were rewarded with a gloriously sunny day — perfect for an outdoor afternoon. We hope that the weather gods will smile on them again in February.

The NH Scot organizers made their announcement at a Zoom meeting hosted by Andy MacCulloch, the Scottish Society of Ottawa’s new Director of Communications and Kilt Skate. Since 2015, the SSO has played a key role in bringing together a family of Scottish organizations and Andy outlined his ideas for the future.

He also used the meeting to preview a new video describing the origins of the kilt skate, and highlighting the spirit of fun and fortitude that has evolved in this unique winter pastime. The video will be available on the Kilt Skate home page of the SSO’s website.

On hand for the Zoom meeting were a cross-section of people who had organized kilt skates in Canada, the United States, and Ireland, as well as some who were exploring the possibility of hosting the first-ever kilt skate in their communities.

It all looks promising for the 2023 Kilt Skate season.

Heather Theoret