Kilt Skate Coast to Coast -- Part 1 Atlantic/Quebec
It was an exceptional Kilt Skate season especially coming off of the pandemic. For the first time ever the Great Canadian Kilt Skate spanned coast to coat from A to V: Antigonish to Vancouver. All organized by dedicated community volunteers and sometimes with a wee bit of help or encouragement from the Scottish Society of Ottawa.
Antigonish, Nova Scotia
The Antigonish Highland Society renowned for their highland games launched their first Kilt Skate and did not disappoint. Society President Joe MacDonald joined by Michelle Thompson of the Nova Scotia’s Legislative Assembly opened the event in Antigonish Arena. Great fun was had featuring pipers, highland dancers and kilted skaters young and old. Looks like this is the start of a fun new winter tradition out on the Atlantic Canada coast. Organizer Geraldine said ”we want to make it bigger and better next year”
Moncton, New Brunswick
300 km north west Moncton also hosted their first kilt skate and PolarFest/ Festpolaire on Family Day weekend. It was supported by the Greater Moncton Scottish Association. It was a beautiful day for a skate and quite a few families turned up in kilts and tartans along with other skaters on the Muskrat Skating Trail. Looks like the start of something good.
Quebec City, Quebec
A mere 761 kms from Moncton is Quebec City and another first Kilt Skate held on the historic Plains of Abraham. We honoured the flags of Canada, Scotland and Quebec with bagpipes and semi ceremonial loops of the large oval rink.
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.
They also accompanied by Kilt Skate Director Andy MacCulloch and his daughter Madison playing and eclectic mix of Celtic and contemporary favourites.
It was a verra fun evening for all and we hope to do it again next year.
Concord, New Hampshire
It’s a mere 330 km down to Concord from Quebec City and in a whole different country. A wee detour on the Great Canadian Kilt Skate. While not far south from Quebec apparently that made all the difference as for the second year in a row Concord had perfect weather for a kilt Skate on Whites Pond. Amy Lehman of NHScot will be much sought after for her skill in stickhandling between arctic blast and thaw to pull it off again. Lots of kilts, tartan and family fun not to mention cookies and hot chocolate.
Montreal, Quebec,
Its only 250km from Quebec or for that matter Concord to Montreal but don’t try it in a snow storm. The St Andrews Society of Montreal hosted their first kilt skate in 2015 and this veteran savvy had them decide to hold the skate indoors at the iconic Verdun Auditorium. Good call as outside a blizzard raged. Many kilted skaters, dancers and a piper braved the weather and showing true Scottish determination. Scottish flags on hockey sticks abound. New President and ex hockey player Scott McKenzie told me he was hit in the face for stiches at the rink and showed me the place. Not on his face but on where on the ice. It was all fun and then there were cupcakes.
