Robert Laidlaw, of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, was a spectacular speed skater in the late 1800’s. On a winter’s day in 1889, Laidlaw defeated the heavily favored Joseph Terry of Boston in a five-mile skating contest at the Dartmouth skating rink. The following week, Robert went on to prove that his win over Terry had not been a fluke by defeating Frank Dowd, of Montreal, in another long-distance speed skating race. At that time, Dowd was considered one of the fastest speed skaters in Canada.

Laidlaw went into business after his speed skating days, owning and operating refreshment stands at rowing regattas and other sporting events. Robert Laidlaw is an Original Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame Inductee.