The much-anticipated Miss Scotland 2023 pageant final took centre stage at the illustrious Corinthian in Glasgow on Friday night, 29 September 2023. Our very own Dr Kieren Bong was asked again to be one of the elite panel judges, adjudicating a magnificent event showcasing Scottish women’s talent, grace, and philanthropy.
The competition, a part of the annual tradition of Miss Scotland, saw a league of 11 immensely talented women hail from various corners of Scotland, each representing their unique strengths, talent, and advocacy. The crown doesn’t merely sit atop a pretty head but symbolises accomplishment, leadership, and societal contribution.
But amidst the clustered stars of the night, one shone the brightest. 26-year-old retail manager Chelsie Allison from Inverness took the prestigious crown of Miss Scotland 2023.
Chelsie isn’t unknown to the pageant. With previous participation in 2018, she proved that persistence pays off. Along with the crown, she also won an opportunity to represent Scotland at Miss World in India, scheduled in December.
As part of the competition, Chelsie nominated Highland Hospice as her charity for this year. The hospice aims to support people, their families and carers living with an advancing, life-shortening illness in the Highlands to live the best possible life and to prepare for and experience the best possible death. Chelsie expressed her intentions of using this prestigious platform to escalate her charity work and raise awareness for crucial causes dear to her.
Dr Bong, one of the distinguished judges, lends his thoughts as his impartial judgment brings the competition to a close:
“It was indeed an honour to be part of the stellar judging panel for this year’s Miss Scotland. Excelling in this fine array of talented, motivated, and socially conscious women underscores Chelsie’s remarkable abilities. The inclusive spirit of Scotland was evident in every participant, further enhancing the beauty and significance of this event. I feel immense pride in crowning the first runner-up and extend my best wishes to Chelsie for her preparation for the upcoming Miss World pageant in India.”
Ultimately, Miss Scotland 2023 was an event where beauty and purpose intersected. It shed light on Scottish women’s endeavours in beautification – not just superficially, but holistically contributing to making the world a better place. The stellar event highlighted true beauty, empathetic human causes and the pursuit of global unity.
