2025 Kilt Skate Capital

Andy MacCulloch, Scottish Society of Ottawa’s Kilt Skate Director, looks back at the 2025 kilt skate season:

“What an exceptional year it has been for our Great Canadian Kilt Skate community! From January to March, some 14 kilt skates were held in communities across Canada.  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 has been a real challenge.

“A special shout-out goes to the “rookie” Halifax event, which, despite being their first year, made a significant impact. Alex MacCulloch (no 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 managed to interest Councillor Lorraine Cameron, Lord Provost of Renfrewshire, Scotland — a suburb of Glasgow, whose support was instrumental in executing a joint Kilt Skate campaign.

”In Petawawa Whitney coordinated a comprehensive 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 also raised funds for the Wounded Warriors. The exposure from minor hockey games around thhe Petawaw event added to the community's engagement.

“Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic in Renfrewshire, Scotland, the support of Lord Provost Cameron energized the local event and marketing teams. The kilt skate idea was taken up by the Glasgow Clan hockey club and was promoted in schools and the community.  A second kilt skate was held before the hockey game between the Glasgow Clan and the Fyfe Flyers.  Entry to the hockey game was free for anyone wearing a kilt and prizes were offered to for creative dress. The pipers piped and the dancers danced and the Lord Provost herself dropped the opening puck for 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.

“Despite the three-hour time difference between Glasgow and Petawawa, a concerted effort was made to unite the Canadian and Scottish events. The organizers on both sides of the Atlantic promoted the idea of a unified trans-Atlantic event.  Lord Provost Cameron prepared a video celebrating the Canada-Scotland relationship and wishing Canadians success. The video also included messages from the Glasgow Clan’s Canadian players who sent best wishes to the kilt skate events taking place in their hometowns of Calgary, Ottawa and Winnipeg.

*On the Canadian side that weekend, 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 Ottawa. 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. We are pleased to announce Petawawa/Renfrew County and Renfrewshire, Scotland, as the 2025 Co-Kilt Skate Capital. Congratulations and well done!”

Sláinte Mhath,

Andy MacCulloch

Director of the Great Canadian Kilt Skate

Scottish Society of Ottawa