DURING the President’s stay at Trump Turnberry, he would no doubt be directed to a special picture hanging in the hotel’s centenary hall...allowing him to ‘meet’ another American with strong Scottish connections.

An animated picture of Rotary International founder Paul Harris talking about the links between the charity and Robert Burns has had guests of the hotel fascinated.

Although he made his speech in 1933 in Boston, anyone clicking, via a special app on their smartphones or ipads, in the corner of the framed picture of the Iowa-turned-Chicago lawyer can hear - and see - him liken the philosophy of Burns with the ‘true meaning’ of the Rotary.

Ayr Advertiser:

Over 100 years before Harris made his speech in Boston, another Chicago lawyer, Abraham Lincoln, had famously shown a profound interest in Robert Burns and used to carry a copy of his works with him at all times.

For Ayr Rotary President John Ewing, the idea that another President could be viewing it this weekend turns the link full circle.

He enthuses: “It is fascinating to think that these prominent American men, President no less, were so aware of the importance of Burns, something to be born in mind for those who don’t take him seriously. In this speech, the admiration Paul Harris felt clearly comes through. And the way this has been done, it is like hearing it in his own words.

“I am almost certain Donald Trump will be just as impressed with it. The hotel are delighted with it.”

John’s son Kirk, who created a media storm in the States with his video game recreating the Kennedy assassination, is behind the augmented reality creation.

He came up with the idea of editing an eight minute radio speech into a 56 second clip, to give tourists a connection with the founder’s message about what the Rotary was trying to achieve.

In the speech Paul Harris said the Rotary organisation were ‘trying to make the words of Robert Burns come true’.

And he says that the conception of ‘universal goodwill and peace to al men’ will one day come to pass.

It can only be speculated whether President Trump heard - and took on board this message conveyed by Burns ahead of his meeting with President Putin.
 
You too can click on to the code on the picture and view the speech for yourself. Simply download the Zappar app for free on your phone or ipad and hover your camera over the image to connect.