A Dumbarton hairstylist has told of his delight after scooping a top prize at a national awards ceremony.

Cameron Knox was recently named Scotland’s 'Texture Stylist of the Year' at the 2023 Salon Awards in London.

The 26-year-old told the Reporter “It felt amazing” to be the first-ever Scottish winner in this category.

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: Cameron is based in a private studio in Glasgow's Hidden LaneCameron is based in a private studio in Glasgow's Hidden Lane (Image: Colin Mearns)Cameron said: “This was a brand new category so technically I am the first person in Scotland to win.

“It felt amazing this year but I wasn’t actually able to attend the awards ceremony in London due to a family bereavement.

“It all happened in the same week so it was really nice to get a little bit of good news, I think life is just funny like that.

“It came at a time when I needed a pick-me-up the most and it was really reassuring to hear.

“This was my second year in a row entering the awards and to be nominated both years in completely different categories is like ‘wow’ to me.

“For me, it wasn’t really about winning, it was more the process of the awards themselves so being named as top texture stylist in Scotland was the cherry on the cake.

“It’s quite overwhelming.”

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: Cameron with his latest and previous wins at the Salon AwardsCameron with his latest and previous wins at the Salon Awards (Image: Colin Mearns)Cameron started his hairdressing career over a decade ago progressing from sweeping up salons to becoming a self-employed stylist in a private studio in the West End of Glasgow.

The 26-year-old, who grew up in Duntocher in Clydebank, studied at West College Scotland’s (WCS) Clydebank campus after leaving school at the age of 16.

Cameron completed a modern apprenticeship in the town as well as completing a range of hairdressing qualifications.

He praised his family, friends, and clients for all their support over the years and said he ‘couldn’t have done it without them’.

Cameron added: “I still go back to WCS for evening classes, most recently I did one about a year ago.

“The college provides really good training and I’ll always be proud to be a part of it. It’s where I did my modern apprenticeship and it’s where it all started.

“I have such an amazing family, they’ve always been my number one fans, especially my mum and dad.

“They are always there to tell me to go ahead and do things. They motivate me and are constantly behind me.

“I have brilliant friends and my clients are just phenomenal. I couldn’t do it without them.”

Cameron is currently based in Glasgow’s Hidden Lane after deciding to go self-employed in July last year.

He is now looking forward to developing his skills in the coming months and will be focusing on education as well as running his business.