Crowning commission for Orkney firm

LEADING Orkney-based jeweller Ortak has been commissioned to create the 2008 Miss Scotland crown.

The company, which began trading more than 40 years ago, was invited to design the glittering crown after loaning a collection of jewellery to Miss Scotland contestants for last year’s event.

A striking Ortak collection was then designed in honour of Nieve Jennings, who won the title last year.

Tomorrow, Nieve will present a new Miss Scotland with Ortak’s delicately crafted crown, which has an organic thistle design and is encrusted with more than 1,000 sparkling Swarovski crystals – including a patriotic blue saltire at the base of the crown.

Clare Goodall, head designer at Ortak, said: “There were two things that we needed to incorporate into the design, one being an intrinsic Scottishness and the other a sense of poise and grace.

“I think that’s exactly what we have achieved with this design.”

The 10 contestants hoping to win the crown will battle it out at a star-studded event at Glasgow’s Princes Square tomorrow.