Ms Ayrshire GB Classic Ann Marie Harper will take to the national stage in just 30 days
where victory would see her become the first Scot ever to win the Ms Great Britain Classic crown.
A 71-year-old Ayrshire grandmother is preparing to make history at Britain’s longest-running pageant.
Ann Marie Harper - better known as Glamour Gran Ann - will represent Ayrshire at the Ms Great Britain Classic final on Friday, October 16, as the competition celebrates its 81st year.
Already set to become its oldest-ever contender, Ann Marie could make history twice over. If the reigning Ms Ayrshire GB Classic takes home the national crown, she will also become the first Scottish woman ever to win the title.
With the countdown now on, Ann Marie is throwing herself into preparations, from gym sessions and choreography rehearsals to charity commitments and everything required to compete on the national stage.
Ann Marie said: “To be doing this at 71 is something I’m incredibly proud of.
“But I’m not going just to say I’ve done it. I’m competitive, I’m giving this everything I’ve got and I would absolutely love to bring that crown home to Scotland.
“To become the first Scottish woman to win Ms Great Britain Classic would be incredible. To do it at 71 would make it even more special.”
Ann Marie’s journey to the national stage is a world away from the future once predicted for her.
Growing up with learning difficulties, she was told she would “amount to nothing” and has previously spoken openly about periods of poor mental health and low self-worth.
She went on to build a successful career in the beauty industry and, in her 60s, launched her own makeup brand - attracting national attention and building a following as Glamour Gran Ann.
Today, she has a combined social media following of more than 54,700 across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Ann Marie said: “If you had told the younger me - the girl who was made to feel she wouldn’t amount to anything - that at 71 I’d be Ms Ayrshire GB Classic and preparing to compete on a national stage, I would never have believed you.
“That’s why this means so much more to me than putting on a dress and wearing a crown. It’s about everything it took to get here, and hopefully showing other women that your past - or your age - doesn’t dictate what happens next.”
Alongside her preparations, Ann Marie is also facing the very different reality of walking out in a swimsuit on the national stage, in front of a far bigger audience and judging panel than she faced at the Ayrshire final.
Despite the confidence associated with her Glamour Gran persona, she admits there have been plenty of nerves along the way.
She said: “People see Glamour Gran and probably think I have bags of confidence, but I have the same insecurities as everyone else.
“There have definitely been moments when I’ve thought, ‘Ann, what on earth are you doing?’ This is a huge step up from the Ayrshire final and, of course, that comes with nerves.
“But then I think - why shouldn’t I? Confidence isn’t about never feeling nervous or self-conscious. Sometimes it’s feeling all of those things and doing it anyway.”
During her reign as Ms Ayrshire GB Classic, Ann Marie has also used her platform to support causes close to her heart, including her chosen charity CLASP, which works to reduce loneliness and isolation and improve the health and wellbeing of older people across Ayrshire.
Now, her focus is firmly on October 16.
Ann Marie added: “Representing Ayrshire at the national final makes me incredibly proud and knowing people back home are behind me means so much.
“I’m going to give it absolutely everything. I’ve already proved to myself that being 71 doesn’t mean slowing down. Now I’d quite like to prove that it doesn’t stop you winning either.
“To bring that crown home to Ayrshire would be the icing on the cake.”
Ann Marie will compete in the Ms Great Britain Classic final at Athena in Leicester on Friday, October 16.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Ann Marie Harper, 71, is the reigning Ms Ayrshire GB Classic and is known online as Glamour Gran Ann.
The Ms Great Britain Classic national final takes place at Athena in Leicester on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Miss Great Britain is Britain’s longest-running pageant and celebrates its 81st year in 2026.
Ann Marie’s status as the oldest-ever contender and potential status as the first Scottish Ms Great Britain Classic winner should be confirmed with organisers before publication.
High-resolution images of Ann Marie, including images from her preparations for the final, are available.
Ann Marie is available for interview ahead of the final.
Ann Marie has a combined social media following of more than 54,700 across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glamourgranann/?locale=en_GB
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ann.m.harper.9/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamourgranann/?hl=en-gb
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@glamourgranann