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.

	Jack Coia:  renowned Glasgow Architect.
	Gio Benedetti: Entrepreneur.
	Tommy Sheridan: Scottish Socialist Party Member for Glasgow.
	Linda Fabiani: SNP MSP for Central Scotland.
	Joe Beltrami: Successful Glasgow Lawyer.
	Eileen A. Millar: Author of scots-italian history, lecturer at the University of Glasgow. M.A., Ph.D. Cavaliere al merito della Repubblica Italiana.
	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!

 

	Terry Colpi: Author and Researcher, published works include Italians Forward: A visual History of the Italian.
	Marcella Evaristi: Playwright, works include Hard To Get.
	Ann Marie Di Mambro: Writer and Playwright, involved with the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh.
	Sergio Casci: Writer and Filmmaker, works include The Centurion starring James Cosmo.
	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.
	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.
	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 her 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.

Film, Television, Music.

 

	Adrienne Corri: Actress, credits include Hammer Horror Films.
	Ronnie Ancona: Actress and Comedienne, credits include Big Impression (BBC).
	Armando Iannucci: Offbeat comedic writer and performer, recently starred in his own Channel 4 series. Has worked with Radio Scotland and Steve Coogan (of Alan Partridge fame).
	George Rossi: Actor, credits include playing Scottish detective Lennox on the Bill.
	Sir Rocco Forte: International Hotelier, son of Charles.
	Mike Maran: 1970's Rock Musician. In 1993 Maran opened Italia 'n Caledonia - a story detailing the influx of Italians to Scotland.
	Peter Guidi: Jazz flutist and Recording Artist.

Lena Zavaroni: Childhood Singing sensation from Rothesay.

	Peter Nardini: Folk singer. Works have included Screams & Kisses and Is There Anybody Out There.
	Carla Romano: TV and Radio presenter and award winning journalist, credits include BBC Scotland, Radio 5 Live and GMTV.
	Paul Coletti: World famous Viola player - has appeared on many of the world's stages with greats such as Yehundi Menuhin and Andre Previn.
	Marco Rea: Singer with The Marbles, youthful Pop Band based in Ireland.
	Enrico Cocozza: Experimental Filmmaker and Photographer, works include Glasgow's Docklands (c.1959).
	Oscar Mazaroli: Photographer, Deacon Blue wrote the acclaimed song Take Me To The Place for his funeral.
	Owen Logan: Scottish-Italian photographer, born in Edinburgh. Throughout the 1980's his works have included Morocco and North Africa, with his photographs mostly in black and white. He has also been involved in a continuing project about Italian emigration, working both in Italy and Italian communities in the UK. This has been demonstrated by Bloodlines/Vite allo Specchio.
	Domenic Gallagher: Researcher Kirsty Wark Show.
	Romana D'Annunzio: TV Presenter, credits include Blue Peter.
	Simon Biagi: TV Presenter and Weatherman.
	Paul Coia: TV Presenter.
	Jane Franchi: BBC TV and Radio presenter.
	Marco Romano: Conductor who has appeared with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Northern Sinfonia, the English Northern Philharmonia, the Hallé Orchestra, and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
	Nina Conti: Daughter of Tom, an accomplished actress/performer in her own right. Appeared recently at the Fringe.

	Alison Chiesa: Young award-winning Journalist from the Clydebank Post.
	Mark Guidi: Sports Journalist, Sunday Mail Newspaper.
	Gillian Giuliani: Reporter, BBC Scotland.
	Junior Campbell: lead guitarist with 1960's group Marmalade, and singer in his own rite, albums include Second Time Around and Collection.

Sports.

 

	Jonny Moscardini: Born in Falkirk in 1897 and died in Prestwick in 1985, Jonny nevertheless chose to represent Italy at football. His record was exceptional by today's standards - played 9 matches for the Azzurri and scored 7. See our Azzurri page for more info.
	Domenic Matteo: Current Leeds and Scotland Footballer.
	Lou Macari (pictured below): Football player with Manchester United, Celtic and Scotland. Successful managerial career with Swindon, Stoke, Celtic, West Ham, Birmingham and Huddersfield Town.
	Joe Tortolano: Football player, Hibs regular mid-1990's.
	Peter Marinello: Edinburgh born football player, represented Hibs, Motherwell and Arsenal mid to late 1970's. Featured in milk adverts and guest presenter for Top of the Pops. Currently lives (and allegedly still plays football) in Bournemouth.
	Paul di Giacomo: Young Kilmarnock football hopeful.
	Marino Franchitti: British GT Championship Driver and brother of Dario, races a Porsche911 GT3RS. Hot prospect.
	Chris Capaldi: Rugby player, back row for Boroughmuir and now Scotland Sevens. Has represented Scotland at U16, U18, U19 and U21 level.
	Carlo di Ciacca: Rugby player, plays as hooker with Edinburgh Rugby (formerly Reivers) - has also recently played for the Scotland B team.
	Marcus di Rollo: Rugby player, highly regarded, plays back for Edinburgh, represented Scotland A against New Zealand recently.
	Johnny Bacigalupo Former Edinburgh Wanderer and leading Rugby referee.
	Rose Reilly: One of the most celebrated female footballers of her time. Played for Milan, Bari and both the Italian and Scottish national sides. A Golden Boot winner, Rose was voted best female player on the planet, and was often inundated with marriage proposals.