For the first time in its history, the Scottish Studies Society will host its Scot of the Year Award celebrations outside the Greater Toronto Area, bringing the 2026 honour to the Walkerville area of Windsor and naming Philip Lindsay McLeod as this year’s recipient. (More information about Philip here.)
The award will be marked by a two-day public celebration on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, 2026, featuring music, dance, storytelling, and ceremony across two Walkerville landmarks. The events commemorate Scotland’s enduring cultural legacy and the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath, Scotland’s historic declaration of independence in April, 1320. Each event will be limited to 100 attendees, offering an intimate, immersive experience rooted in community.
“Taking Scot of the Year outside the GTA for the first time is intentional,” said David Hunter, President of the Scottish Studies Foundation. “Phil McLeod represents exactly what this award stands for — not just artistic excellence, but a lifetime of building spaces where culture, generosity, and community thrive together."
Theatrical performance at SHŌ Art Spirit & Performance
The celebrations begin Friday evening with a Scottish Cèilidh at SHŌ Art, Spirit & Performance, the multidisciplinary arts centre founded by McLeod. The evening will feature live music, Scottish country dancers, poetry, storytelling, visual art, finger food, a Scotch tasting, and a cash bar. Doors will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Willistead Manor
On Saturday, the official Scot of the Year Award Ceremony will take place at Walkerville's historic Willistead Manor which will start at 4:30 p.m. with a ceremonial Tartan Parade led by the Scottish Society of Windsor Pipe Band. At 5:30 p.m. doors will be open at Willistead Manor for registration, with the actual program starting at 6 p.m. As well as presentation of the Award, the program will include butler-served fine food, Highland dancing, stories of Hiram Walker, Walkerville, and a Canadian Club whisky tasting, and a cash bar.
We do hope you will be able to join us for either one or both of these memorable events, the proceeds of which will support the Scottish Studies Foundation in its quest to raise awareness of the Scottish heritage in Canada through education at the university level.
Costs per person are $50 for the Cèilidh event on Friday, April 10; $100 for the Scot of the Year event on Saturday, April 11. You can order online or by mail at the link below.
If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation, you can donate online by clicking on the PayPal button below, or by mail using our donation form which you can access here
For more information, please contact Jamie Lees by telephone at 519-817-1506 or by e-mail at:
jamie@jank.ca