A 20-year-old postie has been crowned Scotland’s first chilli-eating champion.
Asbestos-mouthed Ross Heatherill from Dalkieth, Midlothian, saw off stiff competition from four other competitors.
The five participants battled it out, eating a selection of the hottest chillies and chilli sauces available.
And despite winning by the sixth round, brave Ross soldiered on and completed the whole nine rounds including eating the Dorset Naga chilli – one of the hottest chillies in the world.
Ross said: “I seen it on an American reality TV show about two months ago and I said to my girlfriend I’d like to do it.
“I was trying to make it look like it wasn’t bothering me to be honest but it was, especially the last chilli. It was really spicy, it was something else.”
Edinburgh’s first Mexican restaurant, Tex Mex 2, held what is believed to be Scotland’s first chilli eating contest on Wednesday to raise money for charity.
Donald Mavor, owner and head chef, said: “Last year I started a new Tex Mex 2 tradition, of holding charity events at the restaurant on my birthday. The 2010 event, which raised money for both Macmillan Cancer Support and the earthquake in Haiti, was a great success.
“We’re hoping to raise even more money this year, this time for Radio Forth’s “Cash for Kids” charity.”
Ross won ‘bragging rights’, a trophy, dinner for two at Tex Mex 2, along with a supply homemade Fat Donny’s hot chilli sauce and a bottle of tequila.”
