A 3D Burns will come to life

Jan 11 2013 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post

A life-size version of Robert Burns has been created – to reveal what the Bard really looked like.

For generations, many have speculated about the true appearance of Scotland’s most famous poet.

Now state-of-the-art forensic technology has been used to build a stunning 3D model of his head.

Professor Caroline Wilkinson and her team at The University of Dundee were tasked with building the accurate likeness.

And the STV cameras have followed the process, which will be screened later this month in a special documentary.

They follow revered actor and Burns’ enthusiast, David Hayman, as he goes ‘In Search of Robert Burns’ while experts work on the reconstruction.

Mr Hayman delves into the world of Burns and finds out how his upbringing, education, tough life and romantic spirit forged a creative genius that would transform him from humble farmer to globally renowned poet.

Elizabeth Partyka, deputy head of channels at STV, said: “This unique documentary offers a fantastic insight into not only Robert Burns’ background but, for the first time, what he actually looked like.

“David Hayman is the perfect narrator as we journey through Burns’ world and viewers are sure to be surprised by the real face of this iconic poet.”

Caroline, professor of Craniofacial Identification at The University of Dundee, said: “This project has been quite a challenge and an enormous responsibility.

“We assessed as much material as we could for this reconstruction, including skeletal and anatomical structure, facial proportions from the Reid miniature and the Miers silhouette and texture details from the portraits.

“This 3D depiction is as accurate as possible based on the available information and shows Burns in his full living glory.”

In Search of Robert Burns will be shown on STV at 8pm on Tuesday, January 22 and repeated on Friday, January 25.