Since 1835, the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal has been celebrating all things Scottish. Traditionally on January 25, this has included the birthday of Robbie Burns, Scotland’s national poet. This year, with Burns Day falling on a Saturday, the Society combined the event with its sixth annual Great Canadian Kilt Skate, celebrating Scotland’s contribution to Canada with bare knees and ice.

Along with Ottawa, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Calgary, Montreal was one of the cities to host the first of the nation-wide kilt skates in 2015, to celebrate the bicentennial of Sir John A. Macdonald. That year, skaters braved outdoor temperatures of 40-below. Another year, the skate had to be rescheduled because a blizzard hit Montreal on the appointed day.

This year, Montreal decided to follow the example set in past years by Glengarry, Winnipeg and Lethbridge by holding the kilt skate indoors. They used the venue at 1000 rue de la Gauchetiere in the city centre.

Holding the event indoors means that the the pipes stay in tune better.

It means that the Highland dancers don’t have to contend with cold, snow, or ice.

However, being Scots, the Highland dancers are always up to a challenge of a Highland fling on ice!

An indoor venue meant that, this year, the cake was served at room temperature.

It was enjoyed without the need to worry about frost-bitten fingers.

Families taught their young ones to skate.

The young ones learned about their Scottish heritage.

Couples had some time together.

Friends had a chance to “chill” together.

And thanks to the efforts of the St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal, Scots from across the city and various different Scottish societies — from curling to dancing — gathered under one roof.

Congratulations on another successful kilt skate!