Our Friday evening started informally with everyone joining us in the lounge for drinks, an opportunity to meet fellow guests and chat with old friends.  Louise presented a music/general knowledge quiz which was followed by a delicious hot buffet – efficiently served by our Hide & Sleek Catering Department – Penny the Maid.  The disco followed and soon every trannie in the place was on the floor shaking everything that wobbled.  Everyone managed to take a breather each time Gladys Alcock took to the floor and belted out her Whitney Houston numbers.  It was lovely to see so many wives and partners, for some it was their first trannie function, but their nervousness soon dissipated as they saw what a ‘normal’ group we all are.

 In the weeks leading up to Miss TV Scotland I take phone calls and exchange E-mails with girls who have never been out, would love to come to an event, but are nervous about their first outing.  I am so glad many of them find the courage to attend and it is wonderful to meet them and watch them have a wonderful weekend as they relax and make new friends.

 Saturday morning is hectic as the exhibitors arrive and set up the trade stands for the Beauty Festival:-

v       Hide & Sleek – Loraine, Martin, Marisha & Anne with a selection of clothes, underwear, stockings, jewellery, wigs, corsets, etc, with Gary available for make-up appointments and to advise on wigs and styling.

v       Above Average Shoes – Pearson and Maria with a classic collection of shoes and boots.

v       Beaumont Society – Ruth and Mary with a collection of videos, magazines and leaflets.

v       Connie Fairbairn – This Edinburgh based designer makes the best fantasy corsetry in the country and will undertake made-to-measure.

v       Marjory – With a lovely collection of clothes, lingerie and accessories.

v       Spex Opticians – A collection of designer and prescription frames.

v       Total Image – Yvonne Hardy dealing with all aspects of image, colour consultancy and weight control.

v       Photography – Jenny who was available to record your whole weekend, both formal and informal.

v       Anne-Marie’s Beauty Stop – Ann-Marie who attend to all beauty requirements, with several girls having wonderful false nails applied, several screaming as their forearms were waxed and a lucky few had their eyebrows shaped.

 Throughout the afternoon, Penny, in full Victorian maids uniform did a wonderful job as she single-handedly organised our Mini Tearoom, keeping guests and exhibitors refreshed with teas, coffees and biscuits. 

 A group of gorgeous young ladies studying Communication and Mass Media at Glasgow’s Caledonian University had asked to film our competition, they were producing a mini documentary as part of their course.   As they mingled with guests throughout the afternoon they were fascinated by this very different experience.

 Saturday evening started at 7pm with drinks in the bar, everyone arriving in their finery for a wonderful Gala Dinner.  At long last the reason for the weekend arrived and all the contestants went off to change into their daywear outfit.  The competition was soon underway with cheering and clapping as Louise introduced us to our eleven nervous contestants:-

Abigail, Aisla, Alexandrina, Amanda, Gina, Liz, Melanie, Rita, Ruth, Shania and Steph.

 After a quick change everyone returned for the eveningwear section and a quick chat with Louise.  The judges did not have an easy job with such beautifully presented contestants, but eventually managed to decide on:-

Abigail ~ in third place, winning a £10 voucher for Hide & Sleek

Shania ~ in second place, winning a £20 voucher for Hide & Sleek

And awarded Melanie from Fife the coveted title of Miss TV Scotland and the first prize of a designer outfit to the value of £200.

Last year’s winner, Johanna, presented the prizes and crowned the new winner – who looked absolutely stunning.   She only entered the competition under duress as her wife said she could only have her new evening gown if she entered the competition, a wise wife and a wise investment!!

 The rest of the night was spent with everyone table-hopping and dancing til the early hours.

 On Sunday morning, after a wonderful breakfast, guests reluctantly packed, changed and said their goodbyes, telling us what a wonderful weekend they had and their hopes of joining us again next year.