Barga Scottish Festival celebrates historical ties to Scotland

The Barga Scottish Festival has taken place in the historic center of Barga, Italy, celebrating the deep cultural ties between the Tuscan town and Scotland. The event highlights a historical connection rooted in late 19th and early 20th-century emigration, when many residents moved to Scotland to establish successful businesses.

The festival featured a wide array of traditional activities, including the Barga Highland Games at Parco Fratelli Kennedy, Scottish country dancing, and shortbread making classes. Musical performances by the Royal Highland Company Pipes & Drums and the band Lionhead provided a continuous soundtrack of bagpipes and Celtic music throughout the streets.

Special guests included the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline MacLaren, who participated in events alongside Barga Mayor Caterina Campani. The program also included reflective historical segments, such as a presentation on the Arandora Star documentary, which examines the fate of Italian emigrants during World War II. Culinary offerings included traditional Scottish street food and guided whisky tastings.