Organisers are expecting a capacity crowd for this weekend's Braw Beard Championships, Scotland's most distinctive celebration of facial hair.
The two-day event is returning for its eighth year to the Drygate Brewery in Glasgow with Jesse Leach of Grammy-nominated metalcore band Killswitch Engage to appear as a guest judge at the championships on Saturday night. He will also take part in The Braw Cast Live podcast on Friday evening.
Mr Leach speaks openly about his struggles with depression and anxiety, and has a collaboration product with Braw Beard built around his touring lifestyle and mental health message. The championships, with 13 competition categories, will include a charity raffle in aid of Chris's House Suicide Awareness.
“I’m honoured to be part of the Braw Beard Weekender," Mr Leach said. "It’s more than beards, it’s about connection, resilience and looking after your mental health.
"The energy there is something special. I’m excited to experience it.”
Braw Beard was set up by former graphic designer John Jackson, who started making beard oils at his home in East Lothian after breaking his back in a mountain biking accident. The company, which bills itself as Scotland's first beard-care brand, ships hand-crafted products worldwide while maintaining a strong focus on mental-health awareness and community support.
“It still amazes me how this has grown,” Mr Jackson said of the competition.
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“What started as a small gathering has become a global community. People travel from all over to be part of it and that sense of belonging is what keeps everyone coming back.”
Friday night's podcast will be hosted by hosted by Mr Jackson and comedian Billy Kirkwood, with Mr Leach joined on stage by professional wrestler and actor Jack Jester, artist and author Tragic O’Hara, and multi-award-winning barber Angela Dickson. The competition on Saturday, including music afterwards from In Charge, is expected to reach capacity of 300 people.
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