Apr
14
Uccelli
I stayed longer than I would have ideally but the airfares went up during and around Easter. That bearded one, has a lot to answer for !
Actually, Easter in Scotland, apart from two days public holiday, is generally, religiously and even commercially a bit of a non event. I find it difficult to believe, but even commercially there just isn’t a hard sell even compared to the likes of Mother’s Day or Halloween. We are normally bombarded throughout the year with “must have” buys to celebrate this or that festival and these days, one seamlessly slides into the next. Not so with Easter in Scotland. Continue reading ‘Uccelli’
Mar
21
Pigs Legs
It was early morning when I trundled down the mountain to Gallicano to catch the 8.41 train to Lucca. We had been enjoying some lovely warm spring like days in Barga but the forecast for the day was for northern winds with snow. Everyone was wrapped up well in the lovely wee station and there was tension in the air: a deep seated, palpable (and vocal ) concern about the cold.
It just confirmed to me how much the weather affects the feelings and consciousness of a people, something we know only too well in Scotland. Continue reading ‘Pigs Legs’
Mar
12
Barga - Sailing up the Clyde: The Scottish Connection
Barga Scottish connections are renowned and legendary but I have to say - it's true. (Just before I get into this I have relate a story visa a vie last weeks rant about supermarkets. It was last Wednesday - forgot it was half day in Barga so took a turn into the wee, local and as it turns out useful supermarket. Continue reading ‘Barga - Sailing up the Clyde: The Scottish Connection’
Mar
06
Porti e Finestri - Aperta.
The fourth article from Hamish Moore - the premier small pipes bagpipe maker in Scotland now working in Barga as artist in residence 2008 - I am now beginning to wonder when the door will slam - you know that old feeling:Its almost a barometer of how well things seem to be going and it brings to mind a song. Continue reading ‘Porti e Finestri - Aperta.’
Feb
26
Building Blocks
The third article from Hamish Moore - acknowledged as the premier small pipes bagpipe maker in Scotland now working in Barga as artist in residence 2008 - Twas on the Monday morning and I had put in a good three hour shift at the lathe and was just thinking about stopping for some lunch when an astonishment of scarlet clad beings came streaming across and completely filling Piazza Angelio. Continue reading ‘Building Blocks’
Feb
18
Carpaccio
The second article from Hamish Moore - acknowledged as the premier small pipes bagpipe maker in Scotland now working in Barga as artist in residence 2008
I suppose the first week felt a bit raw.The initial stages of settling were mostly concerned with the practicalities of moving my personal belongings into my flat, and then the lathe, band saw and all my equipment into my studio. Continue reading ‘Carpaccio’
Feb
12
The Journey
The first part of a series of articles from Hamish Moore - acknowledged as the premier small pipes bagpipe maker in Scotland now working in Barga.
Not just a physical journey but a metaphor for the continuing journey of life, of healing and of moving on to the next stage, what ever that may be. That's the adventure. The adventure was and is exciting and daunting - becoming more exciting and less daunting now thankfully. Continue reading ‘The Journey’
Feb
06
Hamish Moore - bagpipes studio in Piazza Angelio
There is a wooden sign in Aristo's bar in Barga Vecchia which reads "from wine what sudden friendships spring" a quote from the English poet John Gay who in 1708 published 'Wine', a poem to celebrate the Act of Union between England and Scotland. That sign has been invested with added meaning by the arrival of a new member to the Barga Community - the Scotsman Hamish Moore who will be in Barga over the next year celebrating the friendship between Italy and Scotland. Continue reading ‘Hamish Moore - bagpipes studio in Piazza Angelio’
May
28
Bagpipe making, like life is difficult - Hamish Moore
During one of those incredible afternoon, early evening thunder storms that can happen in Barga during the spring and early summer, a visitor to Barga was enjoying the peace and quiet of Piazza Angelio. Hamish Moore sat outside the Osteria and pulled out from his bag a small set of pipes and started to play (click on the link at the bottom of this article to hear what Hamish played) Afterwards he spoke about some of the story that brought him here to Barga. Continue reading ‘Bagpipe making, like life is difficult - Hamish Moore’
