The Canadian city that the Scots helped to make

While in Montreal, Fiona learns about the Scots that helped make the city great, and how their roots are still visible many years later

Scotland is a good training ground for the cold – and we are just back from a trip to Canada. The chief has been to this country several times with the army. The last was for an exercise with “Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry”, whose Colonel-in-Chief, incidentally, is Lady Saltoun, Chief of the Frasers.

“First in the Field” is the regiment’s boast. And the great outdoors its soldiers inhabit must sort out the men from the boys.

I, too, have some experience of the Canadian wild. Some years ago I was trying to catch fish for a Sky TV angling programme.

It was a desolate spot, four miles downstream from Niagara, with the river in full force. The water thundered by, dark and deep. But our target, the mighty Steelhead, lived up to its name.

Like our own Scottish salmon, this formidable fish can take on the most difficult elements. It has even been known to go over the brink of the falls and survive. Incredible. This time, however, the trip is more in-thanthere outdoors. But it is still no less exciting. We are in Montreal. To be guests of honour at a tartan dinner.

The St Andrew’s Club of Montreal was founded in 1835, its members dedicated to the preservation of Scottish culture.

Because, although this city may be French in appearance, it was developed mainly by Scots. Over the centuries, economic migrants from the Land of the Thistle made their mark here – and they came hungry to prosper. These were hardy folk, prepared to rough it until they made their money. And when they did succeed, they might put something back. Grateful for his own education at a Scottish university, merchant James McGill founded what became a worldfamous university.

Drummond Street recalls a man known for banking and railways.

And McTavish Street is named after a renowned fur trader. Meanwhile, a statue to Sir John Macdonald remembers the man who was born in Glasgow and went on to become Canada’s first prime minister.

These were Scots who set about transforming Montreal into a thriving business hub. From sugar and steel, to bridge building and flour production. If was a success story to tell, the chances were a Scotsman was behind it.

Our sports have left their mark here, too. The Royal Montreal Curling Club was founded in 1807 – the first curling

If there was a success story to tell, the chances were a Scotsman was behind it

club in North America. Ditto, the Royal Montreal Golf Club, founded in 1873.

The Royal Highland Regiment of Canada is known as the Black Watch of Canada – and it is based here. Its soldiers wear kilts and sport the traditional Red Hackle. We dance reels at the dinner. We find an Avenue McGregor and admire the new Montreal 1642 Tartan, designed to mark the 375th anniversary of the founding of the city.

We miss the MacNaughties. This city is a dog-friendly place and they would like it. But they would probably prefer to be out in the wild. On the prairie, chasing the Canadian geese…