Best beef bangers in Scotland discovered in Rothesay

• Head Doon The Water for best beef link sausages in Scotland
• Rothesay butcher lifts Scottish championship with little known product
• Brothers praise quality over quantity for banger’s success

It is a little-known product enjoyed mainly by the local islanders on Bute.
But now the secret of a tasty sausage produced by Macqueens of Rothesay is out after winning the 2024 Beef Link Sausage Scottish Championship.
Brother owners David and Ronald Macqueen secured the coveted title after seeing off fierce competition from all over Scotland. The Rothesay butchers lifted the west of Scotland Regional Championship in the 2024 Scottish Craft Butchers Awards before going on to win the Scottish Championship, sponsored by Dalziel.

“We were delighted to be recognised for the best beef link sausage in the West of Scotland,” said David, “but to lift the national title is just fantastic.
“We know the stiff competition we were up against and for a wee family butcher on a Scottish island to beat them all is just brilliant. We’re so honoured and so proud.”

The Rothesay business was started in 1976 by the brothers’ father Alastair and his traditional beef sausage recipe remains virtually untouched to this day.
Macqueens prides itself on quality meats – the first vital ingredient on the road to a national title-winning beef sausage, they claim.

“Our beef source grazes just eight miles further down the island,” they said, “and we use the best quality matured flank to make our link sausages.
“All our sausages are hand mixed and feature natural skins,” added David, “as well as a few wee secret ingredients.”
Ronald is primary hand link sausage maker, producing around 60 lbs of beef links alone for their local customer base each week.
“We’re the only butcher in Rothesay now and our customers are very loyal,” he said. “We depend on them, and this award allows us to give something back – we can now say we’re selling them the best beef link sausages in Scotland. It’s official!”

Both brothers stressed the huge boost the championship title would give to their 10-strong team, which includes David’s daughter Emma and her partner Ryan (both butchers) and Ronald’s wife Marilyn.
“This gives everyone recognition and reward for all the hard work they put in,” they agreed. “It’s an amazing achievement and we’re chuffed to bits. Something to celebrate before we knuckle down to produce a few more of the title winners.”

Scottish Craft Butchers Executive Manager Gordon King said Macqueens could be justifiably proud that the product Rothesay shoppers have enjoyed for so long is equally popular with judges from all across Scotland – many with extensive industry knowledge and experience.

“Beef links are something that our craft butchers are producing in small batches by hand every single day in Scotland,” he said, “and this competition brought together some of the finest producers in the country.
“Macqueens always go that extra mile to give their customers what they want and they’ve created a nation-beating beefy banger that stood out as the best of the best,” added Gordon. “I’m sure that tourists and day-trippers heading ‘Doon The Water’ will make sure they leave Rothesay with some Macqueens beef link sausages, knowing they’re now officially recognised as the best in Scotland.”

Sandy Speirs of championship sponsors Dalziel said they had been delighted to play a part in tracking down Scotland’s best beef link sausages.
“We thank all the entrants for taking the time and effort to enter and congratulate this year’s national champion Macqueens of Rothesay,” he said. “We are delighted for David, Ronald and all the team.
“Beef link sausages are part of our Scottish staple foodstuff offering and what Macqueens produce is a superb example of that popular product at its very best.”

Ends

For further information please contact:
PR Maureen Young on 07778-779-888
Or
Gordon King on 07917524313

2024_Beef_Link_Sausage_Results.pdf