ITALIANS IN SCOTLAND ITALIANS IN SCOTLAND My Grandparents on my fathers side came to Scotland from Tuscany (from the villages of Lucca and Barga) in the early 1900’s. They opened a Café in Fife and then moved to Kilmarnock and opened a business there. Many of the children (they had 11 children) followed in their parents footsteps and went into the restaurant trade. My father had a fish restaurant in Irvine, Scotland for many years, and customers came from far and wide to enjoy his food. I hope the following article will interest you. The Italians, a versatile lot, made the best use of produce that was close at hand. Combine this with creativity and entrepreneurial flair, it wasn't long before the Italians were serving the delights of dairy ice cream to the working classes all over Scotland. In the beginning this was served direct from the barrows with shouts of "Gelati, ecco un poco". Consequently they became known as the 'Hokey Pokey' boys. With an increase in popularity came the need for the business to grow, and it wasn't long before they expanded into cafes, with full meals, confectionary and cigarettes added to the menu. Soon they began to spring up all over Scotland It is reported in records that by 1904, the number of cafes in Glasgow alone had doubled from the previous year. This grew to 336 ice cream shops the following year. It was at this time that Italian immigration began to stabilise at a population of around 5000. As disposable incomes grew, the Scots developed a taste for Knickerbocker Glory's and the late night opening hours that the cafes provided. The cafe did seem to break down many of the social barriers of the day. It wasn't long before the cafe soon became the focal point, whether as an alternative to the pub (especially for the younger crowd) or the evening's finale - after all, a night out just wouldn't be the same without a bag of chips for the road home. Unlike their English counterparts, the cafes also traded on Sunday's. As tastes change and cultural boundaries are pushed farther, today's cafes offers the discerning diner espresso, cappuccino, filled ciabatte, fresh Pizza and tiramisu. Rest assured though somewhere on the menu dairy ice cream is bound to feature. This migration business - is it all one way traffic? Well, the Scots (equally as famous as their Italian counterparts for emigrating) did not venture much into Italy probably because they preferred to seek out the riches that the New World promised. However, there's an interesting tale of the Scotti family. Nearly a Millennium ago (1063 in fact), Douglas Scotti (of the Clan Douglas) a Scottish warrior and Ballistics expert emigrated to Italy, where his descendants live today and still carry his name. There is the obvious Royal link through the ages, Bonnie Prince Charlies father, the exiled King James VIII of Scots spent most of his time in Italy. His father was exiled King James VII and mother was Mary Beatrice d'Este of Modena. Though he was born in London in 1688 James Francis Edward was proclaimed King of Scots five times and attempted to regain his thrones three times. He died in Rome in 1766 and the Italians knew him as The King of Britain over here'. The exiled king is buried in St Peter's church in Rome. An email reached me recently from Italy from Alfredo Franco. Alfredo was researching his family name Franco di Sarno, when he stumbled across an ancestor named "Alifante de Franco" whose full title was "Lifante de Iscotia, co- honori serviente in da Terra", which I'm assured loosely translated means "Lifante of Scotland with honour served the king of Scotland".

Food glorious food Picture this, it's Kilmarnock or Irvine in the 1950's or 60's, you've just been giving it laldy after a night out dancing at the Plaza. It's a cold, wet October evening and you've got some time to kill before your last bus home, so you go to the chippie. It's in here that you may well hear some of the choice phrases below... Fish Tea - Fish and Chips with bread, butter and tea Single - anything bought without chips Supper - the very opposite, an item of food with chips Hot-Pea Special - hot marrowfat peas dressed in vinegar Well-fired Roll - crispy roll Poke 'a Chips - bag of chips Pokey Hat - ice cream cone Bottle of ginger - soft drink in a bottle Slider - ice cream scoop in wafer The Tuscan town of Barga celebrates its strong ties with Scotland with La Sagra Del Pesce e Patate - The Fish 'n Chip Festival which is held every August. Another festival which occurs late September celebrates the Scottish connection - La Settimana Scozzese - the Scottish Week. HOW TO MAKE FAB FISH & CHIPS Tinas chip shop Style Fish and Chips Cut potatoes into chips (use a good quality potato, Golden Wonders are good) cut nice and thick. Oil for pan 1/2" deep enough to cover if using deep fryer. 1:1/2 lb haddock or whiting, prepared for cooking 3/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 egg lightly beaten 1/2 cup water Heat fat to 380 degrees. While chips are frying, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in egg, water to make smooth batter. Dip fillets into batter, smack against the side of the bowl to get off excess batter I dont know why, but the smacking is really important; maybe its because that's what my Dad did - and Italians always made the best fish and chips and ice cream in Scotland, remember. Anyway, back to your fish supper Drop your fish into the hot fat and fry until golden brown and crisp. Drain on absorbent paper. Sprinkle on some salt and malt vinegar and eat to your heart's content and if you want to be in cholesterol heaven, a great big pickled onion - and a big pickled red beetroot on the side just tops this off. Oh, and you have to eat this all with your fingers for it to be a true "Scottish Fish Supper."

Childhood Memories CHILDHOOD DAYS IN BONNIE SCOTLAND CHILDHOOD DAYS - Some Memories Close your eyes.....and go back in time.... before the Internet, before DVD's, joyriders, drugs and booze... Before Microsoft, Playstation or Nintendo... Way back.... I'm talking about Hide and Seek in the park. The corner shop, hopscotch, butterscotch, sherbet dabs, skipping, handstands, peevers, football with an old can. The Dandy, Beano, Hula Hoops, jumping in puddles, building dams. The smell of the sun on fresh cut grass. Bazooka Joe bubble gum. An ice cream cone on a warm summer night from the van that plays a tune - 99's, ice poles or a cider lolly. A million midge bites, wasp and bee stings. Sticky fingers. Cops and Robbers, Cowboys and Indians. Zorro. Climbing trees, building igloos out of snow. Walking to school, no matter what the weather. Running till you were out of breath. Laughing so hard that your tummy hurt. Jumping on the bed. Pillow fights. When spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for the giggles. Being exhausted from playing out... Remember that? When the worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team. I'm not finished just yet... Eating table jelly (the little squares), orange squash, ice pops. Remember when.. There were two types of trainers -girls and boys - Dunlop Green Flash and the only time you wore them at school, was for "gym." You knew everyone in your street - and so did your parents! You didn't sleep a wink on Christmas Eve. When 25p was decent pocket money. When nearly everyone's mum was at home when the kids got back from school. When it was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents. When being sent to the head's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited a misbehaving student at home. Didn't that feel good? Just to go back and say, yes, I remember that! Remember when.... Decisions were made by "eeny-meeny-miney-mo." "Race issues" meant arguing about who ran the fastest. Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in "Monopoly". Having a weapon in school, meant being caught with a catapult. Scrapes and bruises were kissed and made better. Taking drugs meant orange-flavoured chewable aspirin (haliborange vitamin supplement tablets.) Getting a foot of snow was a dream come true. Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors. Those were the days. If you can remember most or all of these, then you have LIVED!!!!

Scottish Humour and verses SCOTTISH HUMOUR Scottish teachers are known to use the following translations for the remarks they make on pupils' report cards: "A born leader" - Runs a protection racket "Easy-going" - Bone idle "Good progress" - You should have seen him a year ago "Friendly" - Never shuts up "Helpful" - A creep "Reliable" - Informs on his friends "Expresses himself confidently" - Impertinent "Enjoys physical education" - A bully "Does not accept authority easily" - Dad is in prison "Often appears tired" - Stays up all night watching television "A rather solitary child" - He smells "Popular in the playground" - Sells pornography funny verses: I eat my peas with honey I've done it all my life It makes my peas taste funny, But it keeps them on my knife! Another from my childhood that won't leave me: I never saw a purple cow I hope to never see one But I can tell you this, I'd rather see than be one! My Forgetter My forgetter's getting better But my rememberer is broke to you that may seem funny but, to me, that is no joke For when I'm "here" I'm wondering If I really should be "there" And, when I try to think it through, I haven't got a prayer! Oft times I walk into a room, Say "what am I here for?" I wrack my brain, but all in vain A zero, is my score. At times I put something away Where it is safe, but, Gee! The person it is safest from Is, generally, me! When shopping I may see someone, Say "Hi" and have a chat, Then, when the person walks away I ask myself, "who's that?" Yes, my forgetter's getting better While my rememberer is broke, And it's driving me plumb crazy And that isn't any joke.

Famous Italian/Scots FAMOUS SCOTS-ITALIANS You may notice a strange curiosity, many of the Scots-Italians featured on the list are prominent in the Arts and Media fields. Anyone have any ideas why? Name: Sir Eduardo Paolozzi Born: Leith 7th March 1924 Why Famous? World Renowned Artist, worked in Paris, cubist and surreal influences. Study: St. Martin's School of Art, changing to the Slade School in 1945. Specialises: Abstract Sculpture, Cartoon-Collage. Achievements: Professor of Sculpture at the Akademie der Bildenden Kuenste, Munich. This Is Tomorrow exhibition, London 1956. Awarded the OBE in 1968. Knighted in 1988. Web Links: Famous Edinburghers Name: Alberto Morrocco OBE Born: 1917, Aberdeen. Why Famous? Respected Draughtsman and Portrait Painter. Study: Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen. Specialises: Colourful Mediterranean and Italian Themes. Achievements: Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, Head of Painting (1950 - 1982). RSA, RSW, RP, RGI, LL.D, D. Univ (1917-1998) Alberto Morrocco died in 1999 Web Links: Scottish Gallery Name: Richard Demarco OBE Born: Edinburgh, 1930 Why Famous?: Artist, actor, producer, director, lecturer and writer. Study: Edinburgh College of Art. Specialises: Major Promoter of the Edinburgh Festival. Achievements: Director of the Demarco European Arts Foundation, Co-founder of Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh), Professor of European Cultural Studies at Kingston University, London (from 1993). OBE, Order of Cavaliere della Republica d'Italia and Gold Order of Merit of the Polish People's Republic. Web Links: Art States . Name: Right Reverend Mario Joseph Conti Born: 20th March 1934, Elgin. Why Famous?: Archbishop of Glasgow, formerly Roman Catholic Bishop of Aberdeen. Successor to the late Cardinal Winning. Study: Scots College Rome, Gregorian University, Rome. Achievements: Honorary Chaplain: Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta. Commendatore nell Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Web Links: Scottish Catholic Media Office Name: Daniela Nardini. Born: 1966, Largs. Why Famous?: Actress: worked in theatre, films and television. Study: Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow. Specialises: Confident female acting roles. Achievements: BAFTA award winner, This Life, BBC. Mini Series: Big Women, Undercover Heart, Rough Treatment, Tube Tales. Films: Reckless (1997), Elephant Juice (1999) and Hot Gold (2001). Oxfam Ambassador. Web Links: Oxfam Name: Dario Franchitti. Born: Edinburgh, May 19th 1973. Why Famous?: Racing driver. Dating Hollywood actress Ashley Judd. Specialises: Championship Auto Racing Team (CART). Achievements: Considered one of the hottest young talents on the circuit. Consistent qualifying times. Tipped prospect for F1. Web Links: Franchitti.com Name: Tom Conti. Born: November 22nd, Paisley 1941. Why Famous?: Actor, Theatre and Films. Study: Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow. Specialises: Theatre trained. Achievements: Academy Award Nomination, Reubens,Reubens (1983). Male lead in Oscar winning film, Shirley Valentine (1989). Tony award Winner for Broadway performance in "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" (1978), part in American sitcom, Friends. Web Links: Gazetteer for Scotland Name: Peter Capaldi. Born: Glasgow. Why Famous?: Actor, writer, director. Specialises: As an actor is often typecast in bungling roles and all this before the days of Hugh Grant ! Achievements: BAFTA and Oscar Winner Best Short Film Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful life (1995). Local Hero (1983), Soft Top Hard Shoulder (1992), Shooting Fish (1997), Bean (1997), Strictly Sinatra (1999). Web Links: Peter Capladi Name: Sharleen Spiteri. Born: 7th November 1967, Glasgow. Why Famous?: Singer - refuses to mime and prefers to sing live. Specialises: Contemporary Rock. Achievements: Founder member of band Texas 1986, Sharleen is the lead vocal and has one of the most distinct voices in the industry. Albums released to date, including 'White On Blonde' and 'The Hush'. This former hairdresser is listed in Top Ten wealthiest women in Scotland (2000). Web Links: Unofficial Texas Home Pages Name: Lord Charles Forte. Born: 1908, Monforte Casalaticco, Italy. Why Famous?: World renowned hotelier and entrepreneur. Study: Alloa Academy and Dumfries College. Specialises: Hotel and Catering, built up the Forte Chain which includes Travelodge, Posthouse Hotels, Little Chef and Happy Eaters. Began building his empire from his parents ice cream shop in Alloa. Achievements: Awarded a peerage in 1986. Autobiography published 1986. Chairman of the Lord Forte Foundation to promote excellence in the Hospitality and Tourism fields. Following a take over, son Rocco diversified and currently controls a hotel group which includes the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh (RF HOtels). Web Links: Scottish Gazetteer and some others......  Jack Coia: renowned Glasgow Architect.  Linda Fabiani: SNP MSP for Central Scotland.  Joe Beltrami: Successful Glasgow Lawyer.  Eileen A. Millar: Author of scots-italian history, lecturer at the University of Glasgow. M.A., Ph.D. Cavaliere al merito della Repubblica Italiana.  Philip Contini: Chairman and Managing Director of Edinburgh institution Valvona & Crolla.  Raymond Capaldi: Well respected chef, based in Melbourne Australia, where he opened the prestigious Fenix restaurant. Originally from Prestonpans, where he started learning his trade in the family chip shop! Terry Colpi: Author and Researcher, published works include Italians Forward: A visual History of the Italian. Marcella Evaristi: Playwright, works include Hard To Get. Ann Marie Di Mambro: Writer and Playwright, involved with the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. Sergio Casci: Writer and Filmmaker, works include The Centurion starring James Cosmo. Alexander Trocchi: Outlandish Writer termed a literary outlaw of the Scottish beat. Trocchi was born in Glasgow in 1925 and by the time he passed away in 1984 Trocchi counted greats such as Allen Ginsberg, Samuel Beckett and Norman Mailer amongst his friends. His most famous piece of work was Helen and Desire, which tracks the life of the lead as she uses her alluring charms to get her through life. Simon Pia: Author and Journalist, life long Hibees fan, born in Edinburgh and works for the Scotsman newspaper. Works include biographies of Pat Stanton and Andy Goram as well as a history of Hibernian - Sunshine on Leith. John Fusco: US Author of Scots and Italian parentage, works include Paradise Salvage. Marie Corelli (1854 - 1924): Novelist, educated as a Musician, works include the semi-autobiographical A Romance of Two Worlds (1886). Linda Strachan: Children's Author, works include the Zoola and Tom series. Emilio Coia: Artist and Illustrator. Jack Vettriano: This Fife born Popular Artist and Illustrator's works centre around the pre-war years and include The Missing Man I & II, Amatuer Philosophers, Midnight Blue and Billy Boys. (Am not sure if Vettriano is his real name but I believe his grandparents are of Italian extraction). Leon Morrocco: Son of Alberto Morrocco, Leon is an accomplished artist in his own rite - trained in Dundee, Edinburgh and London, Morrocco skillfully evokes colourful Mediterranean landscapes. He has also lectured extensively including Australia. Adrienne Corri: Actress, credits include Hammer Horror Films. Ronnie Ancona: Actress and Comedienne, credits include Big Impression (BBC). Armando Iannucci: Offbeat comedic writer and performer, recently starred in his own Channel 4 series. Has worked with Radio Scotland and Steve Coogan (of Alan Partridge fame). George Rossi: Actor, credits include playing Scottish detective Lennox on the Bill. Sir Rocco Forte: International Hotelier, son of Charles. Mike Maran: 1970's Rock Musician. In 1993 Maran opened Italia 'n Caledonia - a story detailing the influx of Italians to Scotland. Peter Guidi: Jazz flutist and Recording Artist. Lena Zavaroni: Childhood Singing sensation from Rothesay. Peter Nardini: Folk singer. Paul Coletti: World famous Viola player - has appeared on many of the world's stages with greats such as Yehundi Menuhin and Andre Previn. Marco Rea: Singer with The Marbles, youthful Pop Band based in Ireland. Enrico Cocozza: Experimental Filmmaker and Photographer, works include Glasgow's Docklands (c.1959). Oscar Mazaroli: Photographer, Deacon Blue wrote the acclaimed song Take Me To The Place for his funeral. Romana D'Annunzio: TV Presenter, credits include Blue Peter. Simon Biagi: TV Presenter and Weatherman. Paul Coia: TV Presenter. Jane Franchi: BBC TV and Radio presenter. Nina Conti: Daughter of Tom, an accomplished actress/performer in her own right. Appeared recently at the Fringe. Mark Guidi: Sports Journalist, Sunday Mail Newspaper. Gillian Giuliani: Reporter, BBC Scotland  Sports. Jonny Moscardini: Born in Falkirk in 1897 and died in Prestwick in 1985, Jonny nevertheless chose to represent Italy at football. His record was exceptional by today's standards - played 9 matches for the Azzurri and scored 7. Domenic Matteo: Current Leeds and Scotland Footballer. Lou Macari : Football player with Manchester United, Celtic and Scotland. Successful managerial career with Swindon, Stoke, Celtic, West Ham, Birmingham and Huddersfield Town. Footnote: I was asked out on a date with Lou - I was around 18 at the time – but I declined his offer. Joe Tortolano: Football player, Hibs regular mid-1990's. Peter Marinello: Edinburgh born football player, represented Hibs, Motherwell and Arsenal mid to late 1970's. Featured in milk adverts and guest presenter for Top of the Pops. Currently lives (and allegedly still plays football) in Bournemouth. Footnote: my ex who played football for Coventry his manager was Jimmy (the Chin) Hill - knew Peter Paul di Giacomo: Young Kilmarnock football hopeful. Marino Franchitti: British GT Championship Driver and brother of Dario, races a Porsche911 GT3RS. Hot prospect. Chris Capaldi: Rugby player, back row for Boroughmuir and now Scotland Sevens. Has represented Scotland at U16, U18, U19 and U21 level. Carlo di Ciacca: Rugby player, plays as hooker with Edinburgh Rugby (formerly Reivers) - has also recently played for the Scotland B team. Marcus di Rollo: Rugby player, highly regarded, plays back for Edinburgh, represented Scotland A against New Zealand recently. Johnny Bacigalupo Former Edinburgh Wanderer and leading Rugby referee. Rose Reilly: One of the most celebrated female footballers of her time. Played for Milan, Bari and both the Italian and Scottish national sides. A Golden Boot winner, Rose was voted best female player on the planet, and was often inundated with marriage proposals.