There is no doubt that as a minority Scots-Italians have left their mark in Scotland, some have gone on to become household names, others have contributed to  professions, sports, music and the arts.

Racing driver Dario Franchitti, (pictured right) and actress Daniela Nardini are some of the more famous names that spring to mind today.  

Other surprises might include Alicia Keys, the multi Emmy award winning singer was raised by her Scots-Italian mother in New York.

"Italians in Scotland are one of the best examples of successful integration. There are groups in every town, every city. This is because the Italians and the Scots have common traditions of hospitality, generosity and respect."

Dr. Andrea Macchioni, Consul General of Italy, Edinburgh.

Mary Queen of Scot's closest confidante (and supposed lover) was a wily fellow named David Rizzio who hailed from Piedmont. In 1556, Rizzio was captured in the presence of the Queen and stabbed 57 times. There did not appear to be any proof to the charge that Mary was his mistress, but it seems that his murder was only part of a larger campaign by Scottish nobles against Mary.

  In 1720, a Charles Edward Stuart was born in Rome. He was of course, the young pretender to the Scottish Throne, Bonnie Prince Charlie, son of the exiled James III. With an army of 9,000 at one point (mainly incorporating highland clans and some Irish and French troops), they marched to within 130 miles of London. Charles was a brave man but his limited military experience led to the disastrous defeat at Culloden to the English on the 16th April 1746.

Below is slightly more up to date list (that is by no means exhaustive) of prominent Scots-Italians.

(Please note, there's no particular order to this and the list is purely subjective)

Born: Leith 7th March 1924, died 23rd April 2005.

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

Born: 14th December 1917, Aberdeen, died March 10th 1998

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)

Web Links: Scottish Gallery

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 

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    

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   Observer Interview, Feb. 2003 

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   

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

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  

Born: 1897, Falkirk, Died Prestwick 1985

Why Famous?: International Footballer, represented Italy.

Specialises: Scoring goals!!

Achievements: This may be a surprising choice to many, but in my view Jonny Moscardini was a footballing pioneer. Born in Falkirk, Jonny was conscripted to fight for the British during WW1, subsequently injured in combat Jonny was sent home (which was now Prestwick) to recover. 

However, his parents who owned a Fish and Chip shop in the Ayrshire town felt it best that Jonny be sent to Italy to convalesce.

In order to aid his recovery, Jonny turned his attentions to football and built up his stamina and skill levels.  He excelled at the sport so much so he represented Lucchese and Genoa during the early 1920's. Not before long he was called up for the national team, the Azzurri, achieving an incredible 7 goals in just 9 appearances. Today the football stadium in Barga is named after him. See our Azzurri page for more details.

Web Links: On the 1st of June 2000 the Jonny Moscardini Football Club was initiated by a descendant, Paul Moscardini.

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 

Professionals and the Business world

• Jack Coia:  renowned Glasgow Architect. Coia studied at the Glasgow School of Architecture and worked for some time in Italy before joining an existing partnership to form Gillespie, Kidd & Coia in Glasgow in 1927. He is regarded as one of the finest Scottish architects of the 20th Century. Alas many of his works have suffered the ravages of time. Giacamo (Jack) Coia died in 1981.

• Dario Alessi: Professor of the MRC (Medical Research Council) Protein Phosphorylation Unit at the University of Dundee is the 2005 winner of the EMBO Gold Medal. Professor Alessi receives the award in recognition of his landmark work in cell signalling. The Professor is also the head of more than 70 research teams. 

• Gio Benedetti: Entrepreneur and guest speaker, Gio came over from Italy aged just 10 years of age and worked in his uncle's Cafe.Gio founded his successful recycling business after spotting a discarded glove in a car park. He has made his mark in the health, hygiene and paper industries. Chairman of Healthcare Specialists Wallace Cameron. Gio has been on the board of Directors of The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust since 1990. Gio is the father of Nicola, exceptionally talented Violinist.

• Leopoldo Guiliano: Entrepreneur, owned more than 60 cafes and shops and at the turn of the 1900's was one of the wealthiest Italians living in Scotland.

• George Abrami: Originated form Molazzana near Barga. Abrami worked as an orthopaedic surgeon in Glasgow after studying at Glasgow University Medical School. He is a top Scottish surgeon who went on to work with Celtic Football Club. He was awarded a medal from the Pope when he visited Glasgow and is one of the top surgeons in Scotland in his field.

• Massimo Franchi: Fifa Sports Agent and Glasgow based solicitor.

• Ron Mackenna: Scots-Italian Herald journalist and restaurant critic recently turned politician, standing in the Rome elections of 2006.

• Sir Rocco Forte: International Hotelier, son of Charles. Owner of a chain of independent luxury hotels.

• Antonio Vezza: Founder of mineral water Suio sourced in the volcanic hills of Rome, a favourite of top sportspeople and Opera singers. The water is considered some of the purist on the market. Vezza also owns a property company, an Italian food import company and the famous Victor V's barbers in Shawlands.

• Tommy Sheridan: Scottish Socialist Party Member for Glasgow.

• Linda Fabiani: SNP MSP for Central Scotland.

• Joe Beltrami: Successful Glasgow Lawyer who has been involved in many high profile cases. I believe that Beltrami's grandparents were actually from the Ticino district of Switzerland.

• Eileen A. Millar: Author of scots-italian history, lecturer at the University of Glasgow. M.A., Ph.D. Cavaliere al merito della Repubblica Italiana.

• Martin Togneri: Director of the Scottish Business Initiative, the government funded body responsible for promoting Scotland's high-level skills base, technology and innovation.

• 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! 

• Tamburrini Brothers: Mark is Head Chef at well known Glasgow establishment Rococo, Paul is Head Chef at the acclaimed Georgian Room Restaurant at Cameron House on Loch Lomond. In a recent Herald article the brothers claimed that when they were growing up, Sundays (as well as being a day of rest) was set aside as a day for food where the family would spend hours creating traditional Italian dishes and slow-cooked pasta sauces.

• Viviano Rossi MBE: Widely regarded as Scotland's honorary ambassador to the South of France, Viviano Rossi is a Glaswegian-Italian and the Founder-President of the Association France-Ecosse, which he established in 1990 and recently received an MBE. "The main aim of my work is to promote and develop economic, cultural, social, and  humanitarian relations between France and Scotland. I am delighted to have received this honour, I never expected anything like this." Viviano explained.  

• Adam Butler: Scots-Italian photographer, Butler was born in Edinburgh and educated at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. Numerous private collections across the globe carry his work. He is also a best selling author and in 1996 was awarded the SAAC prize for photography at the Royal Scottish Academy exhibition.

• David Rinaldi: Sunday Mail reporter. The surname suggest an Italian background, but have no current information on this at present.

• Dani Garavelli: Chief Journalist for Scotland on Sunday, Dani graduated MA Honours in English and Drama in 1988 from the University of Glasgow.

• Joe Fattorini: Wine Columnist, The Herald. The surname suggest an Italian background, but have no current information on this at present. 

• Elish Angiolini: In 2001, Elish Angiolini became the first female (non-advocate) Solicitor General for Scotland. She is married to Domenico a former hairdresser and has two children. Elish Angiolini spent much of her career in the Procurator Fiscal service. The coalman's daughter from Govan was recently made Lord Advocate, the highest ranking position in the legal system.

• Ron Zambonini: Scottish born CEO of Canadian Multinational Cognos, world leader in business intelligence and performance planning software.

• Dom Raymond Jaconelli: Elected Abbot of the Cistercian Monastery (Sancta Maria Abbey) at Nunraw, Haddington on the 30 May 2003, Jaconelli was born in Airdrie in 1933. He entered Nunraw in 1951, made his solemn profession in 1956 and was ordained to the Priesthood in 1958;  he has served in the capacity of organist, novice master, procurator and latterly, as Guest master for some 20 yrs.

• Ricardo Marini: Architect charged with much of Glasgow's regeneration. Recently proposed a £3m scheme to light up the city's architectural heritage.

• Gloria Vettese Duguid: Honorary Consul for the Ivory Coast for Scotland. Gloria currently lives in Congo where she runs a travel company.

Authors, Writers, Playwrights and Artists.

• Domenico Pacitti: Writer, Philosopher, Human Rights Activist and now Lecturer of English at Pisa University. Columnist during the 1990's for The Guardian and the Times Educational Supplement Pacitti has been a long time critic of corruption within Italy. His late uncle, Alessandro Pacitti, was made Cavaliere della Repubblica Italiana in 1990 for his acts of bravery in having saved lives of his fellow Italian prisoners on the Arandor Star.

• Sergio Casci: Writer, Filmmaker and Journalist works include The Centurion starring James Cosmo, St. Anthony's Day Off and Rose. Most recently acclaimed work American Cousins has been nominated for countless awards. Has written many articles for newspapers such as the Guardian, often with a Scots-Italian slant. True ambassador.

• Joe Pieri: Shop owner of the 'Savoy' chain of fish and chips and writer. Left Barga at the age of 14 and has lived in Scotland ever since (apart from a stint at an internment camp in Montreal during the War). Learnt to use a PC at the tender age of 75 and has since published three books including the bestseller 'The Big Men' and the tale of Italian internees, 'Isle of the displaced', reviewed in our Books section as well as 'Tales from the Savoy' recounting his days as a Glasgow Cafe owner.

• Sergio and Angelo La Marra: Sergio was co-owner of the famous Trees Restaurant in Glasgow with his father, Angelo. Angelo indeed was a fellow internee of Joe Pieri and is mentioned in his book 'Isle of the Displaced'. Sergio though semi-retired is still an active speaker on the after dinner circuit and keen charity organiser.

• Marcella Evaristi: Playwright, published works include Nightflights, The Works, Commedia, Mouthpieces, Breach of the Peace and Revolting Women. Described as one of Scotland's most talented (and cheekiest) playwriting voices.

• Ann Marie Di Mambro: Writer and Playwright, involved with the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh.

• Anya Gallaccio: Artist born in Paisley to a Scotsitalian father and Polish mother, Anya is based in London and in 2003 was nominated for the Turner Prize, though one of her recent works took place nearer to home on the Isle of Bute at Mount Stuart.

• 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. Another of Trocchi's works,Young Adam has been recently made into a film, starring Ewan McGregor which recounts life of a 1950's barge worker.

• 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.

• Dante Casci: Chipologist, a.k.a The Codfather, second cousin of playwright Sergio Casci.

• 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, with over 30 published works including the Zoola and Tom series. Incidentally Linda Strachan's father is Gianni Donfrancesco, who was (before retiring) a well known Edinburgh restauranteur and entrepreneur. He is currently President of Ciao Italia. In the meantime you can check out Linda's website on www.lindastrachan.com

• Debi Gliori: Also Children's author and illustrator, born in Glasgow and studied at the Edinburgh College of Art. Pure Dead Magic and the Mr. Bear series are amongst Debi's works.

• 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). The Singing Butler on the left by Vettriano was the Uk's best selling fine art print in 2002. 
• 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.
• Giovanni Pontiero: (Born Glasgow 1932, died Manchester 1996) Author and translator, primarily Portuguese and Spanish including the works of Jose Saramango. Winner of the Outstanding Translation Award of American Literary Translators' Association (1994). The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona offers the Pontiero Prize for translation for its language students.
• Andrene Messersmith: Born in Dunoon of Scots-Italian descent, Andrene is the Author of The American Years, highlighting the American presence on the Cowal peninsula.
• Mary Contini: Author of Dear Francesca, an acclaimed book on recollections and recipies in which she aims to recount to her eldest daughter how her Italian forefathers coped with coming to a foreign land. Mary is also the author of children's cookery series, Easy Peasy, and is invloved with Valvona and Crolla in Edinburgh.
• Raymond Vettese: Montrose's favoured son, Writes poetry in the Scots tongue and has had some works published including The Richt Noise, the Saltire Society's Best First Book Award in 1989.