By Jill Geoghegan
Edinburgh was a sight for sore eyes today, as all 122 Miss World 2011 participants visited the capital. The contestants are visiting Scotland from 23-26 October as part of a UK tour to celebrate Miss World’s 60th birthday.
The tour took in a visit to Edinburgh Castle, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Edinburgh’s Old and New Town and Scotland’s number one tourist attraction. The competitors learned the history of the mighty fortress before witnessing the firing of the One O’clock gun, which has been fired almost every day since 1861. The excursion culminated in an experience of a rousing ‘Beating The Retreat’ ceremony.
During their time in Scotland, the Miss World contestants have been staying at Crieff Hydro. Set in 900 acres of Perthshire countryside, it was also the location of the Miss World Sports Challenge, when the girls will compete in a series of Highland Games style events. They have been playing golf at the world famous Gleneagles Hotel; stepping back in time to visit the ancient Stirling Castle and experiencing the celebration of a traditional Scottish Ceilidh, led by Miss Scotland, Jennifer Reoch.
Julia Morley, CEO of the Miss World Organisation said:- ‘The Miss World participants are so looking forward to coming to Scotland to visit some of its historic sites and experience the famous Scottish traditions.’
Sixty years on, the 2011 Miss World Final, which will be held in London on 6 November 2011 will bring together representatives from a record 122 countries, celebrity judges, former Miss Worlds, top entertainers and will be broadcast live to over 150 countries with a global audience of over 1 billion viewers. It is now the most watched annual global event on TV and this event is expected to be the largest live entertainment broadcast from the United Kingdom.
