CLIENT Miss UK and the Muir Maxwell Trust
EVENT Tartan Tiara Ball
LOCATION The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
DATE March 2016

“We’d like an event fit for a Princess… but without Prince Charming’s budget please!” That was the challenge set by Miss UK, Mhairi Fergusson, and the Muir Maxwell Trust. We, in turn, set to work to deliver a charity ball brimming with five-star glamour, but without a five-star price tag.

Our little black book was invaluable as we sought suppliers, partners and supporters we knew and trusted, whose generosity and downright enthusiasm were breathtaking. Choosing The Balmoral Hotel was key – they pulled out every imaginable stop and put their whole team behind the event with head chef, Jeff Bland, creating the most divine menu and the hotel generously donating a luxury prize.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Revolution 7 hit just the right note for our guests while the lovely Grant Stott was a roaring success as auctioneer (helped by our detailed briefing and rehearsals) as we quietly worked the room, selling prize draw tickets, collecting donation cards and deftly fielding questions about the Secret Auction. Both Ann Maxwell and the Fergusson family had gone to quite mind-boggling lengths to secure amazing prizes and fabulous table hosts and guests.

Quite simply, we had all the right ingredients in place to create an event to exceed everyone’s expectations – and when we heard the gasps of admiration from guests as they saw the grand ballroom exquisitely dressed for the Ball, we knew we’d got it just right. An astonishing total of £185,000 was raised.

“The ball was more than I could have dreamed of. The creativity and organisation of ECS are unrivalled and I can honestly say that I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Mhairi Fergusson
Miss UK and Miss Scotland, 2016