At the time of going to print, this year’s Italian exchange students had just arrived in Scotland. Teachers Cristina Brancoli and Gianca Pellegrineschi and 10 senior pupils from the Sismondi and Pacinotti School in Pescia, Tuscany, will spend a week visiting the school and touring central Scotland. During their visits to Clyde Valley, the Italians will take part in cooking traditional Scottish dishes and learn a number of country dances. This is in preparation for a ceilidh that will involve all of the school involved in the Pistoia – North Lanarkshire twinning programme. The Italians will also enjoy day visits to Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as a coach tour to the Trossachs.

The friendships this week made will be reinforced when the Scots make the return trip to Tuscany in February 2014.