Cold, red knees be darned! There’s a call out to all Scottish-Canadians — and anyone who just likes to skate — to take part in Sir John A’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate this month.
To celebrate the birthday of Canada’s first prime minister, the Scottish Society of Ottawa invites hardy souls from across Canada to join them in the second annual Sir John A’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate.
The Scottish Society of Ottawa’s skater-in-chief Don Cummer, says, “Help celebrate Sir John A with bare knees and ice.”
Some of the participants at last year’s Sir John A’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate joined a very tall Sir John A on Ottawa’s Rideau Canal.
Five cities participating
Five cities are scheduled to participate, and the organizers hope more communities will join.
Ottawa: Saturday, January 16, 12:00-2:30 p.m., Dow’s Lake or Aberdeen Pavilion (weather depending)
Calgary: Saturday, January 16, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m., the Olympic Plaza
Montreal, Saturday, January 30, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., the Old Port
Saskatoon: Sunday, January 31, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., the Cameco Meewasin Skaters Lodge
Winnipeg, date and place to be determined.
The St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal wants to replicate last year’s successful skate at the Old Port. Event organizer and genealogist Dr. Gillian Leitch says that it was so cold last year, she was surprised at how many showed up. Maybe it was because of the birthday cake, showing Sir John A. as a kilted skater with knobbly knees.
Organize your own Kilt Skate
How about organizing your own Kilt Skate in your community? You need three things:
1. An ice surface — preferably outdoors;
2. Skaters looking for a good time; and
3. Some skaters willing to wear kilts.
Learn about joining one of the Kilt Skates or organizing your own on the Sir John A’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate website.
Other links:
Scottish Society of Ottawa
Scottish Society of Ottawa Facebook page
Scottish Society of Ottawa’s Kilt Skate event Facebook page
Calgary Kilt Skate event Facebook page
Saskatoon Kilt Skate event Facebook page
St. Andrew’s Society of Montreal Great Canadian Kilt Skate event Facebook page
