A polar vortex may have descended on much of Canada bringing subarctic temperatures, but the days are getting longer and brighter. And no matter what the thermometer says, Canadians are getting out onto the ice in our kilts and tartans. For the MacPherson family in Ottawa, kilts add a new twist to the national game.

Kilt-shinny is a game the whole family can enjoy..

And as these Montrealers prove, when it come’s to shinny’s kid brother, road hockey, here is a game for all ages. We’re told that the combined age of these two players is 166.

Kilted road hockey! A front driveway or the road outside the house is now added to the locations suitable for demonstrating pride in Scotland’s contribution to Canada’s multicultural heritage. But in this year of the Great Canadian Kilt Skate — Home Edition, many kilt skaters prefer the ice of the community rink…

….or the frozen rivers that open up the heart of Winnipeg to skaters……

…or on Ottawa’s Rideau Canal Skateway, where it’s easier to stay socially distanced during a cold snap…

…or if you’re the irrepressible Dave Johnston, there’s McKay Lake near his Ottawa home. .

Dave sent us this video of his ice-capades, keeping the hockey stick saltire flying.

Dave has sent us pictures from his adventures every week during the Great Canadian Kilt Skate — Home Edition.

In Winnipeg, Cathy Laver-Wright has been out on the ice every day.

Other Winnipegers have joined her in taking advantage of the groomed ice on the Centennial River Trail.

As elsewhere across Canada, Winnipeg has been going through an unusually cold couple of weeks.

But neither the cold temperatures nor global pandemics have stopped Canadians from getting out for fresh air and exercise in a safe, socially responsible, way that celebrates Scotland’s contribution to Canada.

Want us to highlight your photos in this blog? Tag them them on social media with #OttScot and #ScotlandIsNow. And add a tag that represents your own community. Examples:

• #kiltskate2021MTL

• #kiltskate2021GLEN

• #kiltskate2021OTT

• #kiltskate2021GTA

• #kiltskate2021FSF

• #kiltskate2021WPG

• #kiltskate2021YXE

• #kiltskate2021LETH

• #kiltskate2021CGY.

If you want to make sure we get the photos, email them directly to us at kiltskate@ottscot.ca.