The Return to Community Kilt Skates

The Return to Community Kilt Skates

It’s 2022 and the Great Canadian Kilt Skate is back in full force for community skating. This marks the eighth year in which the Scottish Society of Ottawa has helped organize kilt skates — not only in Ottawa but across Canada. After last year’s very successful “Home Edition” where skaters took to the ice in their own socially distanced bubbles, this year provided an opportunity at last to get together socially.

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Kilt Skate Season 2022 Begins!

Kilt Skate Season 2022 Begins!

But as Rabbie Burns might have said, the best laid plans of mice and kilt skaters gang aft agley. The rise of the Omicron virus has forced many organizations to reconsider whether to bring people together. Some organizers have opted to promote the “Home Edition” of the Great Canadian Kilt Skate. It was launched last year in response to the pandemic, but it’s now one of those pandemic innovations that was such a good idea that now it’s here to stay.

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Coming Soon: Home Edition of Great Canadian Kilt Skate

Coming Soon: Home Edition of Great Canadian Kilt Skate

“Kilt skating began in 2015,” says Don Cummer, Director National Kilt Skate for the Scottish Society of Ottawa (SSO), which organizes the pan-Canadian event each winter. Some kilt skates bring together scores – even hundreds – of participants. “This year,” says Cummer, “we’re encouraging kilt skaters to stay safe. Skate on your own. Get out with your family. Follow the rules. Have a good time this winter. Oh, and send pictures to #kiltskate.”

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Sir John A's Birthday Brings Another Kilt Skate Partner

Sir John A's Birthday Brings Another Kilt Skate Partner

And today, on Sir John A. Macdonald Day, we’re pleased to announce the latest addition to the kilt skate family. The town of Fergus, Ontario, will hold its first kilt skate on Sunday, February 16, at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex. Check the events page for more details. The kilt skate is being organized by the Fergus Scottish Festival which has been celebrating Scottish culture and hosting Highland games since 1946.

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Kilt Skate by the Henry Moore

Kilt Skate by the Henry Moore

We've been trying to bring kilt skating to Toronto, so when a conference brings you to the big city, then pack the skates and the kilt, bring along the flag, and see if you can make some friends. 

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Countdown: Saskatoon, Montreal, Winterlude

Countdown: Saskatoon, Montreal, Winterlude

Ottawa's Winterlude begins Friday. Montreal's kilt skate is Saturday. In Saskatoon, Sunday brings the finale of the Wintershines festival: a kilt skate followed by the world's biggest snowball fight. What a great weekend for winter-lovers.

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Rideau Canal Opens for Skating

Rideau Canal Opens for Skating

The season is starting late. Two years ago, we were skating the canal on New Year's Eve. The latest was February 2, 2002. Just couple of weeks ago, the canal was buried in snow. The ice was too thin for maintenance, and the temperatures refused to drop low enough to hurry the freezing process along.

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Waiting for the canal to open

Waiting for the canal to open

The cold snap continues, and we have hopes that the Rideau Canal Skateway will open soon. The National Capital Commission won't raise the green flags until there's 30 cms of good ice -- enough to support crowds of 10,000 people who show up forWinterlude at a given time.

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Pictures from Calgary

Pictures from Calgary

It was a bitterly cold Saturday in Alberta, but the Optimist Clubs in Calgary and High River stoked the fire pits at the Olympic Plaza skating rink, and strapped on their skates. A few strapped tartan towels, courtesy of Canadian Tire, around their waists.  But some brave souls were willing to embrace the cold with enthusiasm and joy.  Well done, Calgary!

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First Pix from Ottawa's Kilt Skate, 2016

First Pix from Ottawa's Kilt Skate, 2016

Well, did you ever! What a swell party that was! The officials were on hand, the media was on hand, the skaters were on hand in all their kilted glory.  Oh, and there was free birthday cake and hot chocolate for the kids of all ages.  Here's some early photos of today's kilt skate, courtesy of Homero Martinez who has come here all the way from Mexico City, plus a couple of pix of our own.

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