Spotted in Barga Vecchia this weekend – a lone piper. With its long tradition and connections with Scotland (articles here) , Barga has become used to the sound of bagpipes playing across the city but this time the lone piper, Pat Sands, had very little connection with Scotland as he in fact hails from the South of England.

The Celtic connection is still there and strong though as his family is of Irish origin and he does play with a traditional pipe and drum band – The Green Hackle Pipes & Drums from London. Click on the link at the end of this article for a short interview with Pat recorded up outside the Duomo in which he interestingly enough when asked what brought him to Barga replied ” Barga is one of the iconic places in which to play bagpipes”. Can’t say fairer than that can you ?.

[Click here for slideshow]

As for iconic places to play in Barga, it would seem that Pat was already well informed – during the weekend he was spotted playing up on the terrace at Sommocolonia and later on in the evening inside Aristo’s bar (articles here)  in Barga Vecchia.

The Green Hackle Pipes & Drums was formed from band members from many other bands in the South East of England. As an informal band which does not participate in competitions we welcome all pipers and drummers regardless of experience.
Bringing in the knowledge of both Military and Civilian Pipe Bands has been crucial to the workings of the Green Hackle. Our members are always smart and polite, and we are all very approachable. We can call on many years joined experience in pipe bands. – The Green Hackle Pipes & Drums site can be found here

Click on the link below to hear this interview (in English)

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