SCOTS all over the UK are being called upon to support a campaign to bring Scotland's national dish into the language of emojis.

In what has been designated The Year of Haggis and with Burns' Night merely days away, McCaskie Butchers is launching a campaign for the creation of a haggis emoji.

Having won six out of eight annual national haggis competitions, McCaskie Butchers is well placed to call for greater recognition of Scotland's national dish.

Originally developed in Japan, emojis have been in international use since 2011, hitting the mainstream in 2015 when the Oxford English Dictionary named an emoji one of its "words" of the year.

Since then, many have claimed that the "language of the emoji" is the most universal language there is.

McCaskie's agrees. However, with other national food favourites such as pizza, sushi, pretzels, burritos and croissants already able to show off their own emoji, surely it's time that Scotland's national dish could do the same?

Nigel Ovens, owner of McCaskie Butchers, said: "I really believe a haggis emoji would be well used as a great way to celebrate Scotland's famous dish, but also a great way to celebrate Scotland as a whole.

"We wanted to launch this campaign so that haggis lovers could demonstrate their passion for the dish, share recipes and help this wonderful product to be recognised by this ubiquitous and modern international language.

"Tourists visiting Scotland may also have fun by using the haggis emoji as part of their message to friends and family at home."

People can support the campaign either by using #haggisemoji on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or by signing the change.org petition calling for a haggis emoji at http://chng.it/rRbaziyMtx.

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 246 store heifers at Ayr on Thursday to a top of £1,250 per head and 226.2p per kg to average £861.65 or 193.8p (+4.6p on the fortnight), while 392 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at £1,330 and 251.5p to level at £915.64 or 204.5p (+10.9p). Sixty-four store, B&W bullocks sold to £895 and 157.8p to average £639.30 or 141.4p (+3.1p).

A larger show of 639 store hoggs met an immense trade throughout to average £63.41, fully £5 dearer on the previous sale.

C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 4,242 prime hoggs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £113 per head and 282p per kg to average 193.7p (-2.3p on the week).

Another good entry of 4,388 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £146 for Texels and average £68.86 (-£7.75), while light/export-type ewes peaked at £60 for Blackfaces and levelled at £42.65 (+52p).