Giscard

Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, le Président de la Convention Européenne

One of our most famous contemporary cousins is Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, the former President of France and Président of la Convention Européenne.

He is descended from the Guiscard family of Normandy, which we believe migrated to Scotland in the 12th century.

We invited le Président to wear the Wishart (Giscard) Hunting Tartan , and he graciously replied in person as below.

Le Président
la Convention Européenne

Brussels, 3 June 2003

Dear Cousins,

I was delighted to receive your letter of 21st May. I think you are quite right about the travels of my ancestors: from Normandy they went South to Sicily and North to Scotland, for reasons which were, I am sure, always selfless and pure: in both cases they were attracted, no doubt, by reports of fine weather.

I shall wear my Wishart (Giscard) tie with pride. And the Convention Secretary-General confirms that nothing in our draft Constitution could in any way affect the rights of Scots to kilts or bagpipes. Since we also have in the Convention not only a Maclennan but also a McCormick, who wears a kilt in our debates, I am sure he is right: the Wisharts have nothing to fear!

Very sincerely yours

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing