Township of South Glengarry Named Canada's Kilt Skate Capital of 2020

SOUTH GLENGARRY NAMED CANADA’S KILT SKATE CAPITAL OF 2020

Williamstown, Ontario, October 2, 2020 – The Township of South Glengarry is proud to accept the title of Canada’s Kilt Skate Capital of 2020 on behalf of Ontario’s Celtic heartland. South Glengarry hosted Glengarry’s “Great Canadian Kilt Skate” on March 1st in partnership with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Society of Ottawa.

“The Township is always happy to celebrate our community’s Scottish heritage with events such as this,” stated Township of South Glengarry Mayor, Frank Prevost. “Our Recreation Department really outdid themselves to put together a strong family-friendly event that was equal parts Scottish Flare and Winter Celebration for everyone to enjoy."

The event highlighted South Glengarry’s deep Scottish roots at the Char-Lan Recreation Centre in Williamstown, showcasing Ontario’s Celtic Heartland by offering a variety of activities including: Scottish flags and tattoos for kids, horse-drawn wagon rides, provided by Strathburn Farms, hot-chocolate & marshmallows by a fire, an outdoor snow slide, and of course, Great Canadian Kilt Skating. In the Recreation Centre’s Tartan Hall, traditional cake and shortbread treats were provided by local business, Sweet Indulgences, as guests enjoyed entertainment by the MacPhee Fiddlers, Coleman Highland Dancers, and live music performed by The Hallions. MPP, Jim McDonell, along with Mayor Frank Prevost and all of Council were also in attendance to welcome visitors to South Glengarry’s Great Canadian Kilt Skate in March.

“The townships of North and South Glengarry share a proud Scottish tradition,” wrote Don Cummer of kiltskate.com. “They’ve found a way to share the responsibilities for hosting the kilt skates year after year. This year, we’re very pleased and proud to name South Glengarry as the 2020 Kilt Skate Capital of Canada.”

The first Kilt Skate event was held by the Scottish Society of Ottawa on January 31, 2015 to celebrate the bicentennial of Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald and to promote an awareness and appreciation of Scottish culture and its significant contribution to the fabric of Canadian society. “The Great Canadian Kilt Skate is indelibly Scottish and undeniably Canadian. It speaks to the Scottish contribution to Canada’s multicultural heritage,” states the Scottish Society of Ottawa’s website.

The Great Canadian Kilt Skate was sponsored by the Scottish Society of Ottawa, in thanks to the Scottish Government, who provides funding to participating organizations across Canada that help to revive and rejuvenate the historic links between Scotland and Canada. This funding aids special events and educational programs to help expose more Canadians to Canada’s Scottish roots and history.

“It’s an honour for our community to be recognized,” said Director of South Glengarry Township’s Recreation & Facilities Department, Rick Ladouceur. “It was great to see the kids of our community and their families come out to the Char-Lan Arena to enjoy the festivities and experience Ontario’s Celtic Heartland to the fullest.” The Great Canadian Kilt skate is scheduled to take place in North Glengarry in 2021. 

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Issued by:
Meggin Roberts
Communications Coordinator
Township of South Glengarry
mroberts@southglengarry.com | (613) 347-1166 ext. 222