Toronto's first Sir John A Skate brings out the Scots

Talk about making a big entrance in the big smoke! Toronto's first-ever Sir John A's Great Canadian Kilt Skate took over one of Canada's most famous skating rinks at Nathan Phillips Square. 

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It was an unseasonably warm afternoon.  The refrigeration coils and the Zamboni maintained an ice surface that was fine for skating.

Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and for this afternoon, everyone celebrated the Scots.

There was lots of cake and hot chocolate...

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Lots of people to eat the cake and drink the hot chocolate...

Lots of volunteers to serve the cake and hot chocolate...

Lots of Highland dancing...

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Lots of piping...

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Lots of kilts...

Is that darrylsittler, the legendary captain of the toronto maple leafs?

...not all of them regimental!

And not all of them real...These ones are beach towels, to be found at Canadian Tire!

There were lots of dignitaries for the opening ceremonies.  Cutting the ribbon are federal Science Minister Kirsty Duncan (proud of her Scottish heritage) and the Scottish Government's representative, Chris Maskell.

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Minister Duncan brought greetings from the Prime Minister to Sir John A's Great Canadian Kilt Skate.

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Chris Maskell told us that this was the year to VISIT SCOTLAND!

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Lots of people for the opening ceremonies...

Lots of new friends to be made...

Lots of potential to organize new kilt skates next year -- that's Deb Dalziel, organizer of the Fergus Highland Games, and Terry McNeil Myles, who coordinates Highland games for the Clan MacNeil.  Watch for new developments!

Terry tore up the ice along with Highland dancer Kristy Van Hoven of the Guthrie School of Dance.

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Lots of opportunities for schmoozing and networking...

But most of all, lots of skating -- for relative novices...

And relative experts...

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And experts who can give novices a few pointers.

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Sometimes the ice was crowded...

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And sometimes we had room to fly!

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At Sir John A's Great Canadian Kilt Skate, everyone gets to release their inner Scot.

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The Sons of Scotland undertook the leadership for the skate, under the direction of Kim Henwood.

Thanks, Kim.  We're looking forward to another Sir John A's Great Canadian Kilt Skate in Toronto next year!