The Great Canadian Kilt Skate

Well, here we go again. It's kilt skate season.  Once more hearty souls will be taking to the ice in kilts. Last season was epic with 12 Canadian and one American city. We went coast to coast from Antigonish to Vancouver. And in the centre, Winnipeg won bragging rights as the Kilt skate capital of Canada. 

We have said in the past that it is a combination of thrawn and braw or if you will, tenacity and good nature that makes a kilt skater tick. Across the land, these people embrace the cold and any weather and embrace the kilt skate. Not only that, but they have the charisma and fun-loving attitude to drag a whole bunch of people with them. And who are they? Family, friends, and neighbours. Hockey players and figure skaters, and of course pipers and highland dancers. 

Not only do people kilt skate across the country they do it almost everywhere with bountiful exuberance. Cities and villages. Indoors and out. Rivers, lakes, and – in Ottawa -- canals.  Backyards. Ponds. You name it. Kilt skaters come together in large or small groups or skate alone.  People of all ages kilt skate and of all cultural backgrounds too. You don’t need to be Scottish. You don’t even need a kilt. Just wear a bit of Canada’s favourite colour: Tartan! 

What’s a kilt skate like?  Could this be what nature and fun-loving Robbie Burns might say:

It may be a bit formal, with opening ceremonies, anthems and bagpipers

Or just a few kilted skaters and wee ones on the pond with diapers.

Some have refreshments like hot chocolate and cake.  

Or you might find others with cookies and shortbread they make.

You’ll find poised figure skaters practicing graceful pirouettes. 

And pond hockey players shooting at their improvised nets. 

Dads and Mums teach their kids to skate fast and slide. 

And more than one grandparent who will quietly watch and abide.

The skirl of bagpipes and highland dancers gets everyone excited.

The kilt skate always brings communities together and united. 

So grab your skates and your kilt, or a touch of tartan if you don’t have one.

Become a kilt skater, you won’t regret it, it's fun!

I’ll be skating Montreal on January 28 and details on the Ottawa skate and other events can be found on our website at  https://ottscot.ca/kiltskate

Come join us!

Andy MacCulloch

National Director of Kilt Skate