Ship to Ship, Ship to Shore

Ship to ship, Ship to shore is a mixed media collection consisting of photography and text. The collection is based on the enduring connection of the many Scots-Italians who originally came from Barga and the Garfagnana region of Tuscany, and settled in Scotland. The work explores themes of identity, family loyalty and a sense of belonging. The photographs depict the small town and residents of Barga as they are today. However, the text and photographs both reflect past events, experiences and convey the passage of time.

The migration between Barga and the West of Scotland is an old and well documented generational movement, which helped shape both the small Tuscan village and Scottish culture. With few prospects available at home, this mass migration to greener pastures was briefly halted during the war, complicating the relationship between those born in the Garfagnana region and their adopted home in Scotland. In times of peace this resilient community re-established its place in prominent Scottish culture integrating themselves into all walks of life.  

Featured in this collection are excerpts from interviews with residents of Barga and with those who have a family connection or history with what locals call ‘The Most Scottish Town in Italy.”  The aim of this collection is to capture the themes present in these interviews and reflect them through photographs taken in and around Barga.

Due to the perceptions of identity present throughout the collection, the quotations shown have been kept anonymous, as this reoccurring theme is universally applicable to many of the Scots-Italian community.