Proudly kilted

by Jean Michel PLATEN
(ANNECY LE VIEUX FRANCE)

Oh ! it's very simple in fact!
In 1971, I was willing to come up to Scotland, in the Inverness area precisely and I'd been put in touch via the commun gaedeleach with a master piper, Willie M.MacDonald who used to live in Inverness.

We became friends and complices, as I'm also a piper since 1969.

And one day, as I told Willie that I'd like to wear the Highland garb, Willie told me that he would allow me to wear either MacDonald tartan (his father's) or Munro tartan (his mother's family's), I soon opted for Munro and am very proud to wear it, thinking to Willie who left us in 2003.

Willie was my master of mind in piping and brought me the spirit of Ceol, that made me to improve and refine my piping until the solo competitions in Brittany of which I'm from.

Until now, I've played in many events, given recitals and conferences and also taught a fair number of pupils, I carry on and piping holds a great place in may life, that's more than music, it is...a philosophy, I'm so proud to convey that so specific culture abroad, and for sure...to wear the brechan and to feel so rich and serene !

That's all folk and that's not nothing already !

Jean Michel