Strong links between Barga and Ayrshire continue to bloom

Barga possesses family roots of a large number of Scottish-Italian families hailing from the small town in Tuscany.

Many of these families run businesses such as ice cream parlours and fish and chip shops along the west coast of Scotland that locals and visitors love to this day.

Families from the area including the Nardinis, Castelvecchis, Pisanis, Cechinnis, and Biagis have links to the Tuscany region.

Cavani's restaurant in Saltcoats, Nardini's at the Moorings in Largs, and Cechinni's restaurants in Ayr and Ardrossan are all run by families with links going back to Barga.

Barga Scottish Festival in full flow (Image: Newsquest)

80 per cent of residents in the medieval town have Scottish heritage and its special Scottish festival every year in early September attracts the likes of iconic Scottish singer Paolo Nutini and many more.

However, it was the Highland pipes and drums which were echoing around the ancient streets and walls of Barga last weekend.

Isle of Skye youth pipe band and Highland dancers in Barga provided a spectacular sight as the skirl of the bagpipes echoed around the old walls of medieval town (Image: Newsquest)

The Isle of Skye Youth Pipe Band and Skye Highland Dancers provided the music, with traditional dance and celebration with regular performances across the weekend.

This year, even the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, was a VIP visitor at the Italian and Scots celebration.

Many outlets in Barga put aside their pasta and pizza to offer traditional steak pies, sausage rolls and haggis, neeps and tatties, as well as a favourite from the west coast of Scotland in fish and chips.

There was also a beer tasting event involving Hoops Beer where it was possible to sample a pint of Jinky or even skipper Scott's Brown Ale.

Sampling some Hoops ale in Barga beer tasting event (Image: Newsquest)

Barga is a beautiful medieval town in the hills with winding pathways and steps heading all the way up the impressive Collegiate Church of San Cristoforo at the top which dates back to the ninth century. 

Mayor Caterina Campani said: "Not only is the Scottish festival in Barga significant for our economy, it has been a marvellous link which has proved to be very popular.

"It is a huge attraction, and it is amazing to see the Nardini connection as well as Castelvecchi, Benedetti and Biagis.

Barga mayor Caterina Campani is passionate about Scottish link (Image: Newsquest)

"I think there are great opportunities to forge stronger links between Barga and the west coast of Scotland.

"We also have strong links with Glasgow, and I think there are big opportunities of building up stronger connections between the two districts, that is something I strongly approve of."

As well as visiting Largs, Caterina has also visited South Ayrshire and Cechinni's Restaurant in Ardrossan, and has already built up strong links and friendships which continue to develop.

In 1924 the Castelvecchi family commissioned the construction of an impressive villa as a holiday home which boasted marble staircases, wrought iron railings, high quality wood fittings, glass chandeliers, with Art Deco Italian tradition.

Moorings Hotel in Barga included Largs residents enjoying Scottish festival (Image: Newsquest)

Beatrice Salvi, one of the founders of The Moorings restaurant and ballroom in Largs in 1936, manages Villa Moorings, and has turned it into an exquisite hotel in which the Lord Provost of Glasgow was staying alongside some Largs visitors.

With regular flights from Prestwick Airport to Pisa, Scots-Italians from Ayrshire journeyed across to take part in the weekend of festivities and friendship, with hopes that the strong link can continue to blossom in future years.

The festival itself has been running since 2006, and was officially opened by Largs television actress and 'This Life' star Daniela Nardini.

(Image: Newsquest)