The Great Canadian Kilt Skate Quebec City February 18, 2023
The first annual Quebec City Kilt Skate was held at the Anneau Rink on the historic Plains of Abraham February 18, 2023. It was planned as an adult oriented event starting in the early evening. The skate was part of The Great Canadian Kilt Skate coordinated by the Scottish Society of Ottawa (SS0) from coast to coast and features 12 Canadian and one American city.
The Great Canadian Kilt Skate celebrates the longstanding cultural relationship between Scottish and Canadien/Quebecois dating back to eighteenth century and beyond. The Auld Alliance! The Kilt Skate was celebrated with the musical support by members of the 78th Fraser Highlanders bagpipers.
We honoured the flags of Canada, Scotland and Quebec with bagpipes and semi ceremonial loops of the large oval rink accompanied by Alan Stairs, former Pipe Major of the Fraser Highlanders. A special thanks for completing three loops and playing pipes in the cold on ice chopped up by the days major Pentathlon event.
It was a magical night on the Plains with fresh snow, the twinkling of lights of the Grande Allee and the majestic Musee des Beaux Arts illuminated as a backdrop.
Following the Kilt Skate participants and other music lovers were invited back to the Galway Pub where the Fraser Highlanders played some traditional bagpipe pieces including Scotland the Brave and Flower of Scotland.
They were accompanied by Kilt Skate Director Andy MacCulloch and his daughter Madison playing and eclectic mix of Celtic and contemporary favourites.
An appreciative crowd of Kilt Skaters (and some who shockingly just went straight to the pub) enjoyed the piping and Celtic music. Skye Boat Song, Loch Lomond and Amazing Grace were played together as an ensemble with female vocals by Madison and Nadine, a member of the Highlanders. Galway Pub owner Yves Ladoux rewarded the players with a unique single malt from Quebec at the end of the concert. It was a verra fun evening for all and we hope to do it again next year.
Slainte
