The Lairds of the Locks: The Scots of Bytown

By Christopher Brown

As the city approaches the 200th anniversary of Bytown, the Scottish Society of Ottawa and acclaimed Ottawa actor and playwright Pierre Brault presents a powerful new solo performance exploring the Scottish roots of Canada’s capital.

Lairds of the Locks: The Scots of Bytown is a one-person historical drama that examines the profound Scottish influence on the early development of Bytown, told through the pioneering life and legacy of Thomas McKay—Stone Mason, canal builder, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founding father.

Set against the rugged construction of the Rideau Canal and the birth of a frontier town, the production brings to life the ambition, faith, resilience, and vision that helped shape what would become Ottawa. Through vivid storytelling and transformative performance, Brault inhabits the voices of labourers, settlers, clergy, and civic leaders, weaving personal narrative with larger historical forces.

“This is not simply a history lesson,” says Brault. “It’s a story about identity — about who we were, who we are, and the values that built this city.”

The performance is designed to align with the Bytown Bicentennial celebrations, reflecting the theme of shared history and collective belonging. The work highlights the diversity of early communities while centering the Scottish contribution to the civic, cultural, and spiritual fabric of Ottawa.

Blending theatrical immediacy with meticulous research, Lairds of the Locks invites audiences to step into 19th-century Bytown — a place of mud, stone, faith, enterprise, and fierce determination.

About the Artist

Pierre Brault is an Ottawa-based actor, playwright, and performer known for creating historically grounded solo works that animate Canada’s past with humour, humanity, and theatrical precision. His previous productions have explored pivotal figures and moments in Canadian history, bringing audiences into intimate connection with the stories that shaped the nation.