PUNE, NOV 3: Scotland. Of lovely lakes, clans and Braveheart. Of bagpipes, and men in skirts. oops tartan kilts. the pipers are here. Here? In the city? Sure. Donald Munro, Donny Doyle and Calum Fraser have crossed the seven seas to play the music of the highlands, not to inspire the warriors but to ``introduce their rich culture.''Thrilled to be in the city on a two-day visit, the trio enthused, ``The response at the places we've played all over India has been amazing.''Doyle (31) from Glasgow, is a promising piper. Munro (30) lives in the US, and is carrying on the tradition of the highland games. Fraser (33) started playing the pipes very young and is a professional now.Doyle and Munro have served in the Army together and their passion for the pipes brought them together. They met Fraser for the first time at Heathrow a few days ago when they were travelling together for the tour. They hit it off instantly and that explains the easy camaraderie.But it is their beautiful kilts and warm smiles get that to you. The different colours of the kilts are not incidental. Traditionally, each clan in Scotland has specific colour combinations. ``The green checks symbolise the national kilt,'' explains Munro. Fraser's kilt is even more interesting.``The kilt was designed by Mel Gibson specifically for the epic Braveheart,''expands Fraser. ``Braveheart,'' he says, ``tremendously helped in popularising the legend of Scotland.''But the legend of the hundred pipers which dates back to 1314 is more interesting. It goes back to the Battle of Bannockburn when the Scots were losing against the English. The Scottish general called forth, from the rear, a band of hundred pipers, whose music so roused the Scottish army, that they defeated the English.A major attention grabber is the animal fur headgear that the pipers wear. Another accessory that they do not leave behind is the sporran (a large purse usually made out of leather or fur which worn on a belt around their waists).``Pune is hot and what makes it worse is the woollen costume we have to wear,'' says Doyle. But they are not complaining too much. According to them, ``Playing the pipe is a boon because it is a hobby we pursue and even get paid for''. Doyle is a gym-instructor back home while Munro works as an event manager. Munro admires Indian classical music. Doyle and Fraser, on the other hand, are more into Pink Floyd and Genesis. Travelling in India has been a revealing experience, they claim. What was the most memorable moment in India? ``Breakfast with monkeys,'' they chorus. During their stop at Chikmaglur, Karnataka, they came across monkeys Indian-style. ``A harmless lot, thankfully,'' said Munro.They do regret the little time they get to spend with their family. Another hitch, according to Doyle, ``Men seems to find us more interesting than the women, which is pretty scary''. Are the women listening? Fraser reflects, ``I dread to imagine what I would be if not a piper''. While Munro would have loved to be a singer, he says, ``Your voice is a God given instrument''.These Scotsmen have plenty to offer in terms of music and the right attitude. They will be performing at some of the hep dos in the city. Listen to the lilting sounds of the bagpipe to let other sounds of music wash over you. And who says men don't look good in skirts! Top
