Miss Scotland is a national beauty pageant in Scotland. Entrants must hold a British passport to enter. The contest, whose title is owned by the Miss World organisation, is organised each year by Janis Sue Smith Director of The Catwalk Academy
From 1961 to 1990, the winners of Miss Scotland went on to compete at the Miss Universe pageant, usually held in the summer. They would then compete, along with the winners of Miss England, Miss Wales and Miss Northern Ireland, and other top contenders from the regional competitions, in the Miss United Kingdom pageant, with the winner of Miss UK going on to compete at the Miss World pageant in November.
During the 1990s there was no Miss Scotland at Miss Universe.
In 1999, after Scottish devolution, Miss Scotland was allowed to enter the Miss World pageant. The first Miss Scotland to compete in Miss World was Stephanie Norrie; she competed alongside Miss Wales, who was Clare Daniels, and Nicola Willoughby, who won the last Miss United Kingdom pageant that year. Miss England and Miss Northern Ireland first competed at Miss World in 2000. Since then, the highest ranking of the four UK contestants has won the Miss United Kingdom title. In recent years the Miss UK titleholder has also been offered the chance to participate at the following year's Miss International pageant, as Miss UK.
In the 21st century, the Miss Scotland contest has enjoyed a high profile, with sponsorship from the Scottish Sun newspaper. Miss Scotland has also been the most successful of the four UK nations at Miss World. Since 2000, the Miss United Kingdom title has been won by Miss Scotland nine times. England has 4 wins, Wales 3 and Northern Ireland 2 (2016 unknown).
Titleholders
colorkey
Won Miss United Kingdom
1st Runner-up at Miss Universe, Miss World or Miss UK
2nd Runner-up at Miss Universe, Miss World or Miss UK
Finalist at Miss Universe or Miss World
Semi-finalist or quarter-finalist at Miss Universe or Miss World
From 1961 - 1990, the winner of Miss Scotland represented her country at the Miss Universe pageant.
Pre 1970, only Miss United Kingdom victories are listed; whether the Miss Scotland winners in those years was a runner-up, was unplaced or even participated is unknown.
Post 1970, for Miss United Kingdom, only the Top 3 results are listed; for the Miss Scotland winners in that period that did not place in the top three, their result or participation details are unknown.
1963 Miss Scotland, Grace Taylor, won the Miss Congeniality award at Miss Universe 1963.
1964 Miss Scotland was originally 19 year-old Doreen Swan of Glasgow, but in July 1964 she pulled out of the contest after complaining she had been "over-chaperoned" and held like a "prisoner" in her hotel room.[1] She was replaced by 21-year-old Wendie Barrie, also from Glasgow. The following year Swan, having moved to Dundee, was crowned 'Miss Arbroath'.
1976 Miss Scotland, Carol Jean Grant, is the only woman from Scotland to have placed in the top five at both Miss Universe and Miss World, finishing fourth at both in 1976.
1979 Miss Scotland, Lorraine Davidson, also placed as 3rd runner-up at Miss International 1980, competing as Miss Great Britain.
1987 Miss Scotland, Eileen Catterson, was disqualified from competing in the 1987 Miss Universe due to being under age (she was 17). This makes 1987 the only year in the period 1961-1990, that Scotland were not represented at Miss Universe. Catterson competed in the following year's Miss Europe pageant, but was unplaced.
Miss Scotland 1997-present
Since 1999, the winner of Miss Scotland has represented her country at the Miss World pageant.
At Miss World 2006, Nicola Mclean reached the Top 17 semi-final but was not selected as one of the 6 finalists. Her overall position was 10th.
At Miss World 2007, Nieve Jennings was runner-up in Talent fast track and third in Sports fast track, and narrowly missed the Top 16 semifinal, finishing 17th. She was also one of the three soloists to record the Olympic anthem "Light up the Passion, Share the Dream".
At Miss World 2011, Jennifer Reoch became Scotland's second most successful entrant of the 21st century by reaching the final seven. Miss England, Alize Mounter also reached the final seven and took the Miss UK title (Mounter was 4th overall, Reoch 7th).
At Miss World 2015, Mhairi Fergusson's overall placement was 18th.
Miss Scotland 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008 and 2012, did not win the Miss UK title but their UK placements are unknown.
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