St. andrew’s/ scottish heritage day

flag raising ceremony

On Sunday November 30, Scots the world over celebrate St. Andrew’s Day. The SSO do the same so on a cold snowy day we assembled to honour St. Andrew’s Day with a flag raising ceremony. In addition, we in Ontario also celebrate Scottish Heritage Day, which received Royal Assent at the Ontario Legislature on June 30, 2021. The preamble to this proclamation is as follows:

Preamble: 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.

We first heard speeches from SSO Chair Donald Macdonald who explained the significance of St. Andrew to the Scottish, and the creation of the Saltire (Scottish flag). Donald 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 the cross of St. Patrick (Ireland) to form what today is known as the Union Jack flag.

We then heard speeches from The Honourable John Fraser (MPP, Ottawa South) who talked about his Scottish Heritage and his mother’s Oat Salad. Finally we heard from Ottawa City Councillor, Orléans West-Innes, Laura Dudas, who spoke of her Scottish Heritage but also mentioned that her married name Duda(s) was Hungarian for a type of bagpipe with a history in Eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine, Hungary, and Belarus.

After the speeches we proceeded outside where CWO Mark Gray the RSM for the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh Own) raised the Saltire while Piper Cam Aldou, also from the Camerons, played Flower of Scotland, The unofficial anthem of Scotland. We ended the ceremony with the singing of both the Flower of Scotland and Oh Canada by the Ottawa Celtic Choir lead by Ellen MacIsaac.

We ended the official part of the ceremony and retired to Deacon Brodies Pub for some libations, appetizers and fellowship.