UK’s first Black Pudding Championship proves tasty honour for Arbroath butcher

• Pre-war recipe proved battle-ready in UK wide hunt for best black pudding
• Arbroath black pudding judged the best in the UK in inaugural championship
• Family business celebrates success on National Black Pudding Day (Tuesday, March 18)

Scotland Butcher Wars – CHANGE TO RULES - CLOSING FOR ENTRIES SOON

We have extended the age group for the pairs to

Pairs – one butcher MUST be under 25(age as at 11th May 2025)

Closing Date for all entries is TUESDAY 11 MARCH 2025 - 5pm. No late entries will be accepted.

What a journey its been for Scotland’s Apprentice of the Year!

It has been an amazing year for Marc Ingram from Scottish Craft Butchers member, Blair Drummond Smiddy, who won the title of Scottish Apprentice of the year 2024 at a glittering ceremony this time last year.
Marc took some time out to speak to Gordon King to reflect on his journey from school, through his apprenticeship and up to the roller-coaster which he says describes 2024.

Search begins for the world’s best haggis

The hunt is on for the world’s best haggis.

Producers from across the globe are invited to present their finest versions of Scotland’s national dish at the World Haggis Championship 2025 in Perth on May 11.

Staged by Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB), this year’s event will build on the success of the first ever search for the world’s best held in 2023. And the fiercely competitive biennial gathering looks set to attract even more experts vying for the title as the countdown begins.

SCOTTISH PORK LINK SAUSAGE CHAMPIONSHIP 2025 Sponsored by Lucas Ingredients

A COMPETITION TO FIND SCOTLAND`S BEST TRADITIONAL PORK LINK SAUSAGES

To be held on Sunday 11th May 2025
in Dewars Centre, Glover Street, Perth, at the Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair AWARDS
FIRST Diamond Award and Diploma
SECOND Reserve Champion Diploma
Five regional winners will receive a Diploma.

Revealed - Team GB Apprentices and Young Butchers to compete in World Butchers Challenge

In celebration of National Apprenticeships Week, the Team GB Butchery board are thrilled to announce the butchers selected to compete in the World Champion Butcher Apprentice and Young Butcher competitions at the World Butchers Challenge (WBC) in Paris on 30-31st March.
Representing the United Kingdom by category are:

2025 SPECIALITY SAUSAGE PRODUCT EVALUATION Sponsored by The Dalesman Group

A COMPETITION TO FIND
SCOTLAND`S BEST SPECIALITY SAUSAGE
One Diamond Award will be presented for the best product.
Gold and Silver Awards to all those worthy of such recognition
To be held on Thursday 10th April 2025
Forth Valley College, Stirling Campus, Drip Road, Stirling, FK8 1SE

2025 MAKE IT WITH HAGGIS PRODUCT EVALUATION Sponsored by John Scott Meat

A COMPETITION TO FIND
SCOTLAND`S BEST MAKE IT WITH HAGGIS PRODUCT
One Diamond Award will be presented for the best product.
Gold and Silver Awards to all those worthy of such recognition.

To be held on Thursday 10th April 2025
Forth Valley College, Stirling Campus, Drip Road, Stirling, FK8 1SE

Scotland’s black pudding champion butchers take on the UK in first-ever nationwide showdown

Scotland’s finest black pudding makers are being invited to take part in the ultimate butchers’ challenge – the first ever Black Pudding UK Champion of Champions competition.
The nationwide championship will pitch champion independent craft butchers from both sides of the Border in a head-to-head title race in London on February 26, 2025.

Lanarkshire butcher takes up leading industry post

A Lanarkshire butcher has been appointed the new President of Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB), representing the interests of nearly 400 independent outlets throughout Scotland.

Laura Black, co-owner of Cooper Craft Butchers in Bellshill and Motherwell, took over as the first female President of the 100+-year-old federation at their recent agm, marking what she called “a career highlight”

Aberdeenshire apprentice butcher carves out a win in national awards

A Braemar teenager who left school with no qualifications has been recognised as one of the country’s most promising young butchers.
Seventeen-year-old Craig Davidson, who works at N G Menzies butchers in Ballater, has lifted the fiercely contested Scottish Craft Butchers SVQ Level 2 Modern Apprentice of The Year Award 2024, beating off stiff competitions from apprentice butchers throughout Scotland.

Lochgilphead butcher beats Scotland’s best in national apprenticeship awards

From the age of 14, Lochgilphead butcher Glen Stewart always knew his future lay in that industry and set out to be the best he could be.
Now his dedication, commitment and hard work with local butchers H D Ferguson has been rewarded with Glen (20) being named Scottish Craft Butchers SVQ Level 3 Modern Apprentice of The Year 2024 in the industry’s fiercely contested training awards.