Robert Burns' face to be recreated by scientists

A 3D recreation of Robert Burns' head is being put together using modern technology

Scientists are using the latest reconstruction technology to recreate the face of Robert Burns.

The result will be a 3D model of his head, which will be revealed next month.

The man behind the idea is Rab Wilson, the Burns' fellowship writer for Dumfries and Galloway.

He has been working with facial anthropologists at Dundee University, using a cast of the national bard for a true likeness.

Mr Wilson said that, up until now, the image of the poet had been based on paintings completed during his lifetime.

The new model is almost complete but is still waiting on a wig and its eyeballs.

Mr Wilson said he believed the public would be impressed by the final outcome.

"I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised by the way that Burns looks," he said.

"We are going to see the man as he would have looked walking down the streets of Mauchline in 1785.

"I think if folk then could see this they would say: 'That is Burns, the real Robert Burns.'"