Ian Mitchell's fascination with Barga in Tuscany prompted him to write the interesting article Chianti, Culture and Chips. He returned to this favoured destination again this year and has written a little update on the Barga / Glasgow Connection:

- Ian R Mitchell writes,

I managed to return to Barga this summer after two years absence, finding it delighfully unchanged - apart from the fact that Chianti Culture and Chips was now framed on the wall of Ricardo's Restaurant, which earned me free drinks on the house. Again I managed to visit the Opera at the gorgeous local theatre and the mud baths at Bagni di Lucca. This time too, I was able to ascent the highest point in Tuscany, Monte Prado, the only 2000 metre peak in the province. The scenery in the Tuscan Appennines is very like that in Scotland's West Highlands, but with better paths and less boggy ground.

And it was the right time on this visit (August) for the Pesce et Potate Festival, when those who have learned their trade in Scotland serve up to 500 fish suppers a night in the local football stadium to raise funds for F C Barga. The fish was wonderful and enjoyed by an audience of entirely local people: its not a touristy thing. It was a bit like a Sunday School picnic from the 1950s --but with great wine at £2 a bottle.

This trip also co-incidentally coincided with a Scottish Week, when there were pipers in the streets and Scottish produce on sale, with Scottish celebrities such as the painter John Bellany, as well as our own Daniella Nardini and ex-Provost Alex Mosson in attendance. Our last night witnessed an open air concert by the Glasgow-Italian singer Adriana.

Barga becomes a habit you would not want to break.

More about Ian Mitchell and his writings. Including some wonderful walks in and around Glasgow.