Barga Scottish Festival

The most Scottish town in Italy

There is a corner of Garfagnana, in the province of Lucca, where every September the sound of bagpipes rings out and tartans flutter in the breeze: this is Barga, a medieval village that for generations has maintained one of the closest and most affectionate bonds with Scotland. It is estimated that a large portion of Barga's residents have Scottish relatives or a direct connection to Scotland, a legacy of the heavy emigration that took many locals to Glasgow and other Scottish cities between the 19th and 20th centuries. The Barga Scottish Festival was born precisely to celebrate and keep this dual identity—both Tuscan and Scottish—alive.

An entire village in kilts

For three days, Barga's historic center, with its narrow alleys, small squares, and ancient castle, becomes the stage for a grand Scottish celebration. Pipe bands parade from Piazza Pascoli through the village streets, traditional dances animate the squares until late, and the air fills with the scent of whisky, cider, and specialties from across the Channel. The event is organized by the BargaScot APS association, with the support of the Municipality of Barga and the collaboration of numerous local entities.

Music, dance, and Highland Games

The program alternates between cultural moments and live performances: Celtic and traditional Scottish music concerts in the squares, ceilidh dance evenings where the public is invited to join in, pipe band performances, and the famous Highland Games—traditional Scottish feats of strength and team sports—usually held at Kennedy Park. There are also literary meetings, Scottish-themed painting and photography exhibitions, and official events that strengthen the twinning between Barga and Scottish cities.

The Scottish market and flavors from across the Channel

The delicious heart of the festival is the Barga Scottish Market, which fills the village streets with typical products: whisky, craft beers, cider, haggis, shortbread, porridge, and tartan goods. Between tastings, you can discover Scottish street food and specialties reimagined with a Tuscan twist, in a gastronomic dialogue that perfectly reflects the soul of this event.

Barga, a jewel of the Garfagnana

Visiting the festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover Barga, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, with its Romanesque Duomo overlooking the Apuan Alps and the Apennines. Nestled in a weekend among the hills and chestnut groves of the Garfagnana, the Barga Scottish Festival is a unique event in the Tuscany landscape, capable of blending the identity of a small town with the distant charm of the Highlands.