Kilt Skate Goes Transatlantic

This year marks the 11th season of the Great Canadian Kilt Skate (GCKS) which was started in Ottawa in 2015 with the participation of the Scottish Society of Ottawa (SSO), and with St. Andrews Societies in Montreal and Winnipeg, and an Optimist Club in Calgary. Since then, as many as 30 different communities across Canada have participated in the kilt skate, as well as two in the US (including NYC) and one in Dublin, Ireland.

The size of kilt skate communities varies, as do the format and festivities.  The common denominator is winter fun Scottish-style with kilts, bagpipes and Highland dancers – and skates! Even during the pandemic, enthusiasts skated at home or took to the ice outdoors in safe settings.

The GCKS sparks initiative, ingenuity and spirit in the participating communities. The annual naming of the GCKS Capital by the SSO recognizes communities’ efforts and prompts friendly competition. Past winners have included Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg and the townships of North and South Glengarry.  In 2024, Fergus, Ontario was the GCKS Capital.

We are really excited about the 2025 GCKS season. So far, we have twelve Canadian communities confirmed, with others finalizing plans. There are many new developments but perhaps the most unique this year is the idea of SSO Membership Director and Great Canadian kilt skater, Whitney Brooks of holding a Kilt Skate in both Renfrew County Ontario and Renfrewshire Scotland.

Through discussions with the Lord Provost, Renfrewshire and the Glasgow Clan hockey club we have agreed on the weekend of February 7-9, 2025, with the 8th as Kilt Skate Day. In addition to Scotland, so far, we have five Canadian communities holding kilt skate events that weekend: Calgary, Petawawa, Ottawa, North Glengarry, Halifax as well as Hooksett, New Hampshire USA making this a three-country international celebration. 

The Scottish Kilt Skate will be held before the hockey game between the Glasgow Clan and  rival Fife Flyers.  The communities of Ottawa, Petawawa (Renfrew County) and other Canadian kilt skates will share videos and perhaps live kilt skating coverage. We would also try to share live remarks from dignitaries, including from Renfrewshire’s Lord Provost, and the mayors of Ottawa and Petawawa, as well as from the Head of the Scottish Government in Canada (6.30 pm GMT, 1.30 pm EST)

Promotion of the GKKS will feature customizable branded materials and will be promoted on the SSO website, in the SSO newsletter and through social media. We will work with all communities to have a fun and festive kilt skate, embracing and celebrating the special bonds between Canada and Scotland.  

Andy McCulloch

Director, Great Canadian Kilt Skate

Scottish Society of Ottawa