Calgary brings out the kilt skaters

The kilt skate gods blessed Calgary with above-zero temperatures on Sunday -- but not so warm that the refrigerators coils could keep a hard ice surface at Calgary Olympic Plaza.

Summoned by the piper...

Photo: James Tworow

...the Scots and Scots-at-heart came downtown to the party.

Photo: James Tworow

Photo: James Tworow

They laced up.

Photo: James Tworow

Photo: James Tworow

Photo: James Tworow

They helmeted up too!

Photo: james tworow

And they took to the ice.

Photo: James Tworow

Photo: James Tworow

They were joined by Harvey the Hound, mascot of the NHL Calgary Flames.

Harvey had the honour of cutting Sir John A's birthday cake.

As with the other kilt skates across Canada, the cake proved very popular. 

Photo: James Tworow

And there was hot chocolate to wash it down -- complements of Starbucks. The flags, bunting and other regalia complements of the Scottish Government.

You could also warm yourself up by the fire.

Photo: James Tworow

And while you were eating your cake and drinking hot chocolate, and warming yourself by the fire, there was entertainment:  Highland dancers...

A Celtic choir who sang "O Canada" in both English and Gaelic...

...and, of course, pipers.

And if you weren't up to donning a kilt or lacing up the skates, you could always take pictures of those who were.

Photo: James Tworow

Congratulations to David Aftergood and the St. Andrew-Caledonian Society for putting on a great Third Annual Sir John A's Great Canadian Kilt Skate. 

Photo: Jame Tworow