The middle of summer may seem a strange time to be thinking about skating, bare knees, and ice. But the plans are under way to organize the Fourth Annual Sir John A's Great Canadian Kilt Skate.

In fact, there's a flurry of activity as we prepare for upcoming Scottish events where we'll raise the hockey stick saltire.

The Scottish Society of Ottawa was active earlier this summer, promoting the kilt skate and our other events in Perth, Ontario at the annual Kilt Run.

This August long weekend, we'll be attending the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, Ontario.

The following weekend brings us to Fergus, Ontario, for the opening ceremonies of Highland Games and Scottish Festival.

It will be preceded by the Scottish North American Leadership Conference at the University of Guelph -- the first time this prestigious event has been held in Canada.

The keynote speaker at the conference will be our good friend Chris Maskell, representing the Scottish Government.  Chris was instrumental in helping us organize kilt skates across the country last year, and even took to the ice himself.

We'll be discussing with him the plans for the Fourth Annual Sir John A's Great Canadian Kilt Skate.  Soon we'll contact our friends in the partner cities of 2017 and reach out to more communities across Canada. Once again, Sue MacGregor will help organize the national event.

And once again the host presenter of the national event will be the Scottish Society of Ottawa. SSO has undergone a change in the executive this year, but as Secretary the indomitable Heather Theoret is still making sure that things run smoothly.

The Fourth Annual Sir John As Great Canadian Kilt Skate could be the biggest yet. Watch for further information.