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Scottish Sun
14-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Story behind the tiny ‘Scottish village' in the Italian Alps with just 300 people
Nestled in the foothills of the Italian Alps is a unique little village with a distinctive Scottish feel CALEDONIAN CONNECTION Story behind the tiny 'Scottish village' in the Italian Alps with just 300 people ITALY and Scotland have shared close ties over the years, with thousands of Italians emigrating to Scotland over the past 150 years. The influx in the late 19th century sparked a lasting love affair in Scotland with Italian cuisine, as many people settled and opened ice cream parlours and restaurants serving up pizza and pasta dishes. 3 Gurro in northern Italy near the border with Switzerland has Scottish connections Credit: Getty 3 Legend has it that hundreds of years ago Scottish soldiers got snowbound in Gurro and never left Credit: Getty Others started up fish and chip shops, cafes, and hairdressing businesses. But nestled in the foothills of the Italian Alps is a unique little village with a distinctive Scottish feel. Gurro in the Piedmont region of northern Italy is said to be home to the descendants of Scottish soldiers. A small unit called the Gardes Écossaises, which translates to the Scottish Guards, travelled to Italy to fight alongside the French king. But during the Battle of Pavia in February, 1525, Francis I of France was captured during the conflict. The Scottish troops fled the region and as they made their way back home they passed through Gurro. Legend has it that they got stuck in the village during a snowstorm and decided to stay and put down roots. Today, Gurro is home to around just 300 residents but there are still clues to be found reflecting its Caledonian connection. Saltires can be found decorating parts of the village and locals have a unique dialect. It is understood that residents of nearby residents struggle to understand some of the Gurro vocabulary, with Gaelic said to have an influence. Inside Italy's most Scottish town But one of the biggest giveaways is the underskirts of traditional dresses worn by some older women. It features a distinctive chequered pattern, similar to tartan. Some locals use the word "aye" as a way of saying "yes", instead of using the Italian word "si". Gurro is not the only settlement in Italy with Scottish links. Barga in Tuscany, is known as 'the most Scottish town in Italy'. Many of the town's locals moved to Scotland around the end of the 19th century. Throughout the 20th century, some of the migrants returned to the idyllic area. Some locals in Barga can trace their ancestry back to Scotland and there's even a red telephone box in the town. Cockenzie, Longniddry, Port Seton and Prestonpans in East Lothian have been twinned with Barga since 2006.
Daily Record
12-07-2025
- Daily Record
The tiny 'Scottish village' in Italy where locals speak Gaelic and wear tartan
It is a perfect holiday destination for those with an interest in Scots history. Scotland's influence stretches far and wide, with elements of our culture recognised globally. Meanwhile, countless individuals all around the world celebrate their Scottish roots. Many of these people have emigrated to countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. But there is also a tiny pocket in the Italian Alps that identifies as distinctly Scottish. The small village of Gurro is tucked away in the mountainous Piedmont region near the Swiss border. Home to fewer than 300 residents, the charming settlement is nestled amidst some of Europe's most stunning landscapes. The scenery around Gurro is incredible, but what truly distinguishes the village is the supposed Scottish roots of its inhabitants. It is said that locals descend from a group of Scottish soldiers many generations ago. The Gardes Écossaises—Scottish Guards—were a bodyguard unit founded in 1418 by the Valois Charles VII of France. The unit was trained to be the personal bodyguards of the French monarchy. According to local lore, the Gardes Écossaises were retreating from the Battle of Pavia in 1525. There, they had fought alongside the French king against the Habsburg Empire. While trying to make their way back to Scotland, the soldiers were trapped near Gurro in a snowstorm. Legend has it, they never left and instead established their own community, one which continues to thrive in this small pocket of the Alps. Today, Gurro's residents converse in a unique, Gaelic-influenced dialect. It is believed that elements of the locals' language derive from Scotland's national language at the time of the Gardes Écossaises. Researchers from the University of Zurich carried out a linguistic study into the language of the locals and found 800 words in their dialect that could trace its roots to Gaelic. One of the most common Scottish-isms in the local tongue is saying 'shi' rather than 'si' for 'yes', similar to the Scottish 'aye'. Unusual surnames believed to be Italianised versions of traditional Scots names are also prevalent in the village. The St Andrew's Cross flies high, tartan clothes are a common sight, and there is even a Scottish museum in the area. Additionally, the local bar goes by the name of Circolo Degli Scozzesi—'Scottish social club'. Elsewhere, in another nod to its Scottish connections, Gurro boasts a 'fontana scozzese'—Scottish fountain'. Gurro is nestled about three hours north of Turin via car. Amazingly, it isn't the only Italian destination with deep-seated ties to Scotland. Barga in Tuscany saw a substantial portion of its populace migrate to Scotland in the late 19th century. Many returned later, bringing back with them elements of Scottish culture. Between 40 and 60 per cent of the town's current residents are said to have Scottish roots. Due to this, Barga has earned itself the moniker of 'the most Scottish town in Italy'. Many Scots will currently be looking for a last-minute getaway destination to make the most of the summer holidays. If you are keen to head somewhere in Europe whilst also celebrating Scotland, Gurro and Barga in Italy might just be the perfect spots.
