Scotland Stories
Mar
22
Scottish High Rollers in Barga ?
Nobody seems to know, or if they do they are not telling, just who it was who double parked their Rolls Royce on the Fosso yesterday. The car carried personalised number plates which read "BARGA" and the tax disc on windscreen was from the UK. A small Scottish blue flag on the plates and what looked like a tartan hat inside all pointed towards yet another Scottish connection with Barga.
What really made it no longer a moot point but a dead certainty was the view from the back of the luxury car - the open boot was full to bursting with crates of Tennant's Lager. Continue reading ‘Scottish High Rollers in Barga ?’
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’
Nov
27
Joe Pieri publishes new book
Joe Pieri got a surprise when he answered the door bell to his apartment in Bishopbriggs, Scotland this weekend - standing at the door was the Mayor of Barga, Umberto Sereni. He was in Scotland for the Garibaldi celebration but took time off to help the official launch of Joe's latest book which has just been published. Continue reading ‘Joe Pieri publishes new book’
Nov
23
Garibaldi in Scotland
Nell’ambito delle iniziative per il Bicentenario della nascita di Garibaldi mercoledì scorso a Glasgow si è tenuto un concerto come quello già tenuto nel 1860 voluto allora per sostenere l’impresa dell’eroe in Italia. Il contributo della Scozia alla nascita di una nazione.
A Glasgow era presente il sindaco di Barga, Umberto Sereni, in Scozia per partecipare al grande evento dedicato a Garibaldi nel Bicentenario della nascita. Continue reading ‘Garibaldi in Scotland’
Nov
20
Paolo Gas gets his name in the newspapers
Paolo Gas makes it into a national newspaper in the UK, namely, the Scottish Daily Express, thanks to an article marked "exclusive" by the journalist Derek Watson. He wrote that friends of Scottish Italian pop star Paolo Nutini faced a last-minute sweat on the Hampton trip after a delay in sending out their tickets for the vital Scotland - Italy match. Continue reading ‘Paolo Gas gets his name in the newspapers’
Nov
16
Johnny Moscardini Stadium
Excitement mounts in what has been billed by some commentators as the most important football match in the last 20 years in Scotland - tomorrow's UEFA Euro qualifying match to be played at Hampden Park in Glasgow, between the Scottish and the Italian football teams. Media interest has increased about the only Scottish born male footballer to have played for Italy - Johnny Moscardini.
Continue reading ‘Johnny Moscardini Stadium’
Nov
13
UEFA Euro, Scotland - Italy Match
The postman was eagerly awaited in Barga this morning by some Barga residents who have been anxiously listening for his knock on the door.
They have all ordered tickets via Internet, for the football match this Saturday in Scotland. - the UEFA Euro qualifying match Scotland versus Italy will be played in Hampden Park in Glasgow this weekend.
Continue reading ‘UEFA Euro, Scotland - Italy Match’
Sep
28
Rain does not stop the Scottish Wedding
The sound of bagpipes in Barga Vecchia and everybody reaches for their umbrellas. Not really true, just one of those urban legends that every time there is a Scottish event in Barga the weather changes and gives us what is looked upon at traditional Scottish weather – low cloud, cool temperatures and slightly damp. Continue reading ‘Rain does not stop the Scottish Wedding’
Sep
01
Scottish wedding in Barga Vecchia
A wedding with a Scottish flavour in Barga Vecchia. The wedding of Chris and Kev. The Palazzo Pancrazi was full of laughter today for what was the most exuberant and joyful marriage seen in Barga this year. It all started fairly peaceful enough with the entry of a single piper into the castle.
Continue reading ‘Scottish wedding in Barga Vecchia’
Aug
11
La Scozia a Barga concert
Concert this evening in Piazza Salvo Salvi by a group of four musicians from Scotland as part of the "La Scozia a Barga" series of concerts organised by Alex Mosson, the ex Mayor of Glasgow. Christina, Clare and Phil perfomed a number of songs all under the title of "Scottish Italian French"
Continue reading ‘La Scozia a Barga concert’
Jun
08
Footballer returns to Barga after 34 years
Terry McGibbbons from Scotland returned to Barga this week after a gap of 34 years. Terry, who's family originally came from Barga, used to visit often during the 60's and 70's. He brought with him a photograph taken in 1964 showing himself as a young man in a football team that played at Pieve Fosciana. Continue reading ‘Footballer returns to Barga after 34 years’
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’
May
26
Barga - Scotland wedding in Palazzo Pancrazi
The returning on the clans in Barga Vecchia this afternoon. The wedding took place in Palazzo Pancrazi of Candice Badiali and Iain Gairns, both from Scotland.Candice’s family originally come from Riboscioli, the now deserted village just above La Mocchia, before they emigrated to Scotland.
Continue reading ‘Barga - Scotland wedding in Palazzo Pancrazi’
Apr
26
Twinning with East Lothian Scotland - the real deal
This morning was the last event for the group from East Lothian before these ambassadors of goodwill take a well earned rest … and what a last event it actually was. Finally they got to meet the other school children from Barga and exchange songs, some words, banners, presents and so much goodwill the air was humming with positive vibrations. The politicians had their big day yesterday, today it was children power and they took it in both hands.
Continue reading ‘Twinning with East Lothian Scotland - the real deal’
Scotland Archived Stories
more scottish weddings
1|
2|
3|
