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News
Members Update 11th July 2025
Our Lives – Haggis (Tv programme to air 16th July)
Welcome to our New Member
Meet the Supplier Event – Scobie & Junor – 12th August
Meet the Supplier Event – Prephouse – Book your place
Traditional Steak Pie & Speciality Steak Pie Awards
– Entries close 17th July
Our Lives – Haggis (TV programme to air 16th July – 7pm)
We are pleased to inform everyone that the programme Our Lives – Haggis has now been completed, and the BBC has confirmed the on-air date for next Wednesday, 16th July at 7pm on BBC1 across the UK.
We hope that this programme will provide excellent exposure for the retail butcher sector across the UK. The BBC programme schedule list the show as follows
The Haggis Hunters
A documentary that follows four families as they compete in Scotland’s biggest haggis contest. All hail from small butcher shops and each has ambitions of winning the World Haggis Championships in Perth.
Some are generations-old Scottish butchers. One is from England, daring to challenge tradition. Each has their own secret recipe. Each wants to be the best.
We meet the butchers and their families, see life on farms and learn how haggis is made – from offal and onions to spices and oatmeal. It’s hard work, but it’s full of pride and passion.
As competition day nears, the pressure rises. Who will take the crown? And who will go home empty-handed?
Funny, heartwarming and full of flavour, this film is a story about food, family and friendly rivalry. You don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy it – you just need to be hungry for a great story.
Welcome to our New Member
Julie Comins
Elchies
Campbell Cairns Farm
Aberlour
AB38 9SL
Tel:07976 710197
www.elchies.co.uk
Meet the Supplier Event – Scobie & Junor – 12th August
Scobie & Junor have invited members to their premises on the 12th August. The day will include a tour of their premises a workshop in New Product Development with a tasting session with Andy Benn of new products. Please can you book your places with Bruce Tel: 01738 637472 Email: [email protected]
Meet the Supplier Event – Prephouse – Book your place
Prephouse and Shop visit – Northern Ireland – 22nd & 23rd September 2025
MEET THE SUPPLIER EVENT
Prephouse have kindly invited Scottish Craft Butchers members to visit their premises in Northern Ireland, together with visits to a few retail shops over two days.
Draft itinerary as follows
Monday 22nd September2025 arrival – am Belfast International Airport
22nd September, depart from airport for Prep House in Crossgar
Arrive am , coffee, light lunch/afternoon coffee and factory tour.
Introduction to Prep House range of products and the opportunity for profit.
Sauce tasting,
Depart for hotel.
Free time.
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
Site visits – Addresses and details to be confirmed.
Assemble at Ballyrobin hotel for light lunch before departure to airport.
We have looked at flights from Edinburgh and Glasgow and they arrive around 9 am on the 22nd of September.
Return flight to Glasgow arrives at 1835 and Edinburgh 1735 on 23rd September.
An example of accommodation that can be booked is Holiday Inn Express Junction 1. This is a convenient location for all the planned visits.
(transport between airport and all venues we will arrange)
Initially, if you could confirm your interest in attending to Bruce McCall 01738 637472 or email [email protected].
Traditional Steak Pie & Speciality Steak Pie Awards
– Entries close 17th July
The next product evaluation will be held on Thursday 7th August at Forth Valley College, Stirling. Entries will be online only and will close 17th July.
Thank you to William Sword Ltd for sponsoring the Traditional Steak Pie category and Dalziel Retail Butchery sponsoring the Speciality Meat Pie category.
https://www.craftbutchers.co.uk/product-category/competitions/
Scotland’s Butchers Reign Supreme at British Butchery Awards 2025
Scotland stole the spotlight at the British Butchery Awards 2025, with two exceptional businesses, both proud members of the Scotch Butchers Club and Scottish Craft Butchers, taking home top honours. Meanwhile, industry champion Gordon King received a prestigious Special Recognition Award.
Marshalls Farm Shop in Kintore was crowned Best Large Butchery Business in Scotland, while Puddledub Butchers in Kirkcaldy claimed Best Small Butchery Business in Scotland at a glamorous black-tie ceremony held in Nottingham on Monday 30 June.
Meanwhile, Gordon King, Executive Manager of Scottish Craft Butchers, was honoured for his unwavering dedication to training apprentices and advancing Scotland’s butchery sector.
The awards, hosted by National Craft Butchers and sponsored by Dalziel, celebrate the finest in British butchery, recognising skill, quality, and innovation across the UK.
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), which runs the Scotch Butchers Club to support independent butchers championing Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork, praised the winners for their passion and excellence.
Sarah Millar, Chief Executive of QMS said: “Marshalls and Puddledub perfectly embody what makes Scotland’s butchers world-class: passion, innovation, and an uncompromising commitment to quality from farm to shop. These family businesses competed against the best in Scotland and emerged victorious. Gordon King’s Special Recognition Award is thoroughly deserved — his career has been dedicated to raising standards, inspiring future talent, and championing the industry. On behalf of QMS and the Scotch Butchers Club, congratulations to all the finalists and nominees who showcased such exceptional skill and dedication.”
Gordon King added: “These results are especially rewarding because both Marshalls and Puddledub are relatively young businesses on steep learning curves. They’ve created award-winning butcheries recognised for exceptional product quality, environmental responsibility, customer service, skills, and overall shop experience.
“The British Butchery Awards are unique in being backed by the industry itself, with secret shoppers visiting every finalist to get an honest view of their quality and service.
“These family farming businesses have successfully launched retail units showcasing their meat products and earned award-winning status, proving they can compete with Scotland’s best, including well-established big players, and come out on top.
They’re driven, determined people investing in their businesses, taking them to a level that ranks among the very best in the UK. I couldn’t be happier for them.”
Elsewhere, Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food Hall in Alnwick, Northumberland — also a Scotch Butchers Club member as well as Scottish Craft Butchers— won Best Large Butchery Business in the North of England, highlighting the deep pool of talent across Britain’s butchery industry.
Winners were selected following thorough mystery shopping of all finalists, evaluating everything from product quality to customer experience.
The British Butchery Awards will return in 2027.
Craft Skills Scotland Update – Recruiting NOW!!
Recruiting NOW!!
Modern Apprentices
Craft Skills Scotland have a few places left on our current contract for Modern Apprentices. We currently have over 200 candidates throughout Scotland undertaking the qualifications that we deliver. All age groups and abilities can apply – existing staff members and new staff members are eligible.
Do Not Miss Out!
Employ for Attitude – Train for Skills.
Contact – Claire on 01738 637785 or email [email protected] to book a place.
Meat Managers Hygiene and HACCP Course
September 2025 – Scottish Craft Butchers offices, Perth
Cost £300 per person
Book Now – phone Claire 01738 637785 or email [email protected]
If you have any questions or queries, please get in touch.