BURNS fans can summon an “augmented reality” Bard with their haggis this year.
Packs of the haggis, neeps and tatties come with a smartphone code which, when scanned, plays a kilted host reciting the immortal lines of Burns.
McIntosh of Strathmore have launched the product in the hope it will give locked down Scots a taste of the proper Burns Supper experience.
More than 300,000 of the packs have hit supermarket shelves.
Shoppers will have to first download the Zappar app on their mobile.
Scanning the code on the packet will then link to actor and Burns fan Max Raskin delivering the Address Tae a Haggis.
Max was challenged to recite the poem in a single take, and also to interact with an array of dazzling animations that bring the address to life.
Julie Nisbet, the firm’s managing director, said: “Burns is a very special occasion for everyone at McIntosh.
“We recognised, however, that the missing component in 2021 would be friends, family and all the fun of an actual Burns supper.
“Thanks to a brilliant performance from Max and some very clever technology, we are delighted to launch our AR version for both new and loyal shoppers across Scotland.
“We hope it raises the spirits of the thousands of people around the country who’ll be missing out on their usual Burns celebrations this year.”
Max Raskin has been working in acting since 2017, appearing most recently in the BBC’s Armchair Detectives and in adverts for Visit Scotland.
He said: “The address had to be done in one take, so we ended up doing 50 just to make sure we had the perfect version. But it was great fun. I don’t think I could ever get bored of reciting Burns.’
