International Kilt Skate earns high honours
By Andy MacCulloch
What an exceptional year it has been for our Great Canadian Kilt Skate community! From January to March of this year, some 14 kilt skates were held in communities across Canada. From coast to coast and even overseas, the events generated innovative ideas and remarkable enthusiasm. The Scottish Society of Ottawa (SSO) is grateful for the creativity and spirit displayed each year.
With so many deserving participants, naming this year’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate Capital was no easy task.
First, a special shout-out goes to the “rookie” Halifax event which, despite being their first year, made a significant impact. Alex MacCulloch (no known relation) along with the local Scottish society, The Scots, orchestrated a fantastic event at the Emera Skating Oval. The afternoon started with the Town Crier and a local bagpiper proclaiming the event open, followed by Highland dancing from the Higgins Dance School and numerous kilted skaters. Kudos to Halifax for such a fun and memorable day!
One of the unique highlights of this year's Great Canadian Kilt Skate season was the International Kilt Skate Weekend held from February 8-10. Skaters from Orillia, Glengarry North, Ottawa, Halifax, Petawawa/Renfrew County, and Renfrewshire, Scotland, all participated, bringing an infectious excitement to their communities.
Whitney Brooks, SSO’s Membership Director, had the brilliant idea of a cross-Atlantic Kilt Skate with Renfrewshire, Scotland. With teamwork and enthusiasm, we caught the interest of Provost Cameron of Renfrewshire, whose support was instrumental in executing a joint Kilt Skate campaign.
In Petawawa, Whitney coordinated a packed program that featured Highland dancers, a military pipe and drum band, and live Celtic music. The event began with the Military Wives Choir singing "O Canada" and "Flower of Scotland," followed by kilt skating to music by Ron Roach and musicians from Music Healing Veterans. The event raised funds for Wounded Warriors. The added exposure from minor hockey games taking place around the same time, added to the community's engagement.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the Glasgow Clan hockey club, with the support of Renfrewshire, promoted their kilt skate as a way to celebrate the bonds between Canada and Scotland. Lord Provost Cameron’s interest energized the event and another kilt skate was even held before the hockey game between the Glasgow Clan and Fife Flyers. Anyone wearing a kilt could attend the game for free. There were also prizes for creative dress. The off-ice entertainment included pipers and Highland dancers. The Lord Provost even dropped the puck!
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Organizers of both events had promoted the idea of a unified trans-Atlantic event despite the time differences. Provost Cameron kindly prepared a video celebrating the Canada-Scotland relationship and wishing Canadians success. Another video included best wishes from the Glasgow Clan’s Canadian players to the kilt skate events taking place in their hometowns of Calgary, Ottawa and Winnipeg. The Mayor of Renfrew County and John Devine, Head of the Scottish Government shared similar sentiments from Canada, with Mayor Sutcliffe of Ottawa proclaiming Kilt Skate Day in the city.
It was widely agreed that Canadians know a wee bit about skating, and the Scots about kilts! – the makings of a good partnership that we hope will continue for years to come.
Every kilt skate is deserving in its own way, but the joint efforts of Renfrew and Renfrewshire presented a new vista for the Great Canadian Kilt Skate, celebrating and building awareness for Scottish culture in Canada. The quality of communications, promotion, and community support was outstanding.
So, all this said, we are pleased to announce Petawawa/Renfrew County and Renfrewshire, Scotland, as 2025 Co-Kilt Skate Capitals. Congratulations!
And well done to all!
Sláinte Mhath!
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