Banes o the Turas, The

The Banes o the Turas is a poetical translation (not a direct translation rather a poetical engagement) of Turas Viaggio, a book of poetry by Italian poet, scholar of folk traditions, composer and musician Pino Mereu. Pino’s poetry is an important cultural and historic connection with Hamish Henderson which portrays Pino’s close relations with Hamish Henderson, his visits to Scotland, in particular to Blairgowrie, his meetings with Sheila Stewart (traditional storyteller, singer and writer), Margaret Bennet (writer, folklorist, broadcaster and singer) and deserves to be better known by a wider audience beyond its original Italian-speaking one. It is entirely appropriate and in keeping with the traditions that Hamish Henderson championed, and indeed which Pino Mereu continues to champion, to have a poetical translation in Scots of Pino’s work. The Banes o the Turas is a poetic owersettin of Turas Viaggio by poet Jim Mackintosh.