It all began in the 1890s, when Luca Scappaticcio set out from his home in Cassino, destined for a life in Scotland. Luca first worked as a hairdresser in Leith and later worked in the kitchen of the North British Hotel where he learned the secrets of ice cream making from a Swiss chef.
In 1908, he and his wife, Anastasia (Valente), opened their first ice cream shop in Musselburgh – the Olympia Ice Cream Parlour.
Back then all the ice cream was hand stirred by Anastasia, and, being the days before refrigeration, was kept cool by insulating it with straw and, later, dry ice.
From a young age all of Luca and Anastasia’s children worked in the family business, which gradually developed into the present-day wholesale ice-cream business. Additional shops were opened up in Craigmillar and in North Berwick, and soon three ice-cream vans were visiting tourist sites and popular events.
The business was taken over by Luca’s son, Costano (known as Tino Luca). His father’s first name was easier to pronounce than his actual surname. The Business became S. Luca’s.
Tino married Nina Valentine. They had two daughters – Sarah and Rachel. Tino passed away in 2014, age 91.
Third generation relatives who continue to run their grandfather’s empire, include Directors Michael Luca and Yolanda Luca.
Links:
Scotsman: Family-firm-makes-for-a-cream-team
Obituary-tino-luca-ice-cream-maker
