Flag Raising on St. Andrew’s Day
By Dave Johnston
On a cold snowy day, members of the SSO gathered at Ottawa’s City Hall for this year’s Scottish flag raising ceremony, and also paid tribute to Scottish Heritage Day which received royal assent at the Ontario Legislature on June 30, 2021.
The preamble to this proclamation is as follows:
“Beginning in the 1700s, the Scottish Highland Clearances displaced many of its citizens, forcing them out of their homes with no means to support their families. Many looked to Canada to start a new life, settling in various locations across Upper Canada, joining their fellow countrymen who had fought for the Crown during the American War of Independence.
Once they established their homes and livelihood, they immediately set about building schools to educate their children and helped to establish the institutions necessary to build a strong and secure country. Pride in their culture gave Scots a strong sense of identity and self-worth, which contributed to their success and left Upper Canada with firmly rooted Scottish traditions such as Highland games and competitions.”
Those gathered heard presentations from SSO Chair Donald Macdonald who explained the significance of St. Andrew to the Scottish, and the creation of the Saltire (Scottish flag). He then introduced the Chair of the St. Andrew’s Society of Ottawa, Alan James who explained how the Saltire was combined with the Cross of St George (English) and the cross of St. Patrick (Ireland) to create what today is known as the Union Jack flag.
The Honourable John Fraser (MPP, Ottawa South) talked about his Scottish heritage and his mother’s Oat Salad. Ottawa City Councillor, Orléans West-Innes, Laura Dudas also shared her Scottish heritage and mentioned that her married name Duda(s) was Hungarian for a type of bagpipe with a history in Eastern Europe, particularly in Ukraine, Hungary, and Belarus.
After the speeches, everyone headed outside where CWO Mark Gray, the RSM for the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own) raised the Saltire, while Piper Cam Aldou, also from the Camerons, played Flower of Scotland, the unofficial anthem of Scotland. The ceremony ended with the singing of both the Flower of Scotland and Oh Canada by the Ottawa Celtic Choir, led by Ellen MacIsaac.
It was then on to Deacon Brodies Pub for some libations, appetizers and fellowship!
