Happy Fall everyone!

On September 26, Ottawa marked the 200th anniversary of its founding. From its beginnings as Bytown, the city has grown into a vibrant capital shaped by generations of residents, diverse communities, and rich cultural traditions — with Scots playing an important role from the very start.

Earlier this year, the SSO proudly helped launch the bicentennial season with the historical play Lairds of the Locks at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. A full house enjoyed Pierre Brault’s lively portrayal of Thomas MacKay, a prominent stonemason, businessman and one of Bytown’s chief founders. Bicentennial events continue next year, and we hope to bring this wonderful performance back. We’ll be sure to let you know!

As Ottawa heads into a mayoral election this month, this issue features an article by our Vice‑Chair, Jen Hill, on the Scottish‑influenced governance structure of early Bytown. The city’s first municipal head wasn’t a mayor, but a “provost” -- a term familiar to many Scots and a reminder of the city’s early cultural roots.

And we are inviting all newsletter readers to celebrate your clan heritage! Our Communications Director, Liz Smith, is creating a space for all newsletter readers to be guest contributors to share stories about your clans, or clans your family is associated with – about clan tartans, mottos, histories, and how those traditions are carried forward here in Canada. We know from last year’s popular Tartan Talk webinar with Peter Macdonald that many of you have stories to share! Details on how to contribute your story are included in this issue.

Much of October’s newsletter focuses on honouring Scottish traditions and connections. Our Special Events Director explores the historic Glengarry region through a motor‑bike club ride; Jen Hill offers new whisky insights from when she went “camping”; and I had the honour of writing about the Glengarry Cup, which brought an extraordinary display of piping talent to Ottawa from far and wide.

And what’s a celebration without food and a laugh? Enjoy our raspberry‑filled recipe of the month – delicious cranachan -- and our monthly joke — always featuring a hapless or conniving Scot.

We’ve also had great fun at our SSO Members’ Socials. In September, we held a Scottish‑themed book exchange at the Royal Oak in Westboro. Check the calendar for upcoming meet‑ups, in this issue, including our October 10 event (location TBD), where we’ll mark Samhain, the ancient Gaelic festival honouring the end of harvest and the beginning of winter.

I’m pleased to announce that the SSO has a new Membership Director, Paul Bennett. Paul brings impressive professional and volunteer board experience to the Society, and you will all begin to receive friendly notices from him, and hopefully welcome him at our socials!

And our new Youth Director, Sarah Walker, is profiled in this issue, she is brimming with ideas about having youth more engaged in SSO!

We still have vacancies for a Secretary and a Development (fundraising) Officer, and we are of course eager to fill these roles. Do you know a suitable candidate?? Please let me know at chair@OttScot.ca.

We are preparing this year’s Whisky Tasting for November, details in next month’s newsletter, featuring a poetic theme with Ottawa’s “Pub Poets,” Chris Brown and Brunty (Brunton) Craig, reciting humorous paeans to the whiskies as they are presented.

Although we will not hold our traditional Hogmanay this year, we are planning a special event for the week leading up to New Year’s. Details will be shared soon.

I hope you enjoy this beautiful season, my favourite, as fall colours begin to envelop us and the trees don their own tartans.

Slàinte,

Donald Macdonald