Scotland’s top lamb butchers have been announced by Quality Meat Scotland, as the finalists in a new Scotch Lamb PGI initiative.

The new competition was introduced in a bid to find the “Champion of Champions” Scotch Lamb product, as well as showcasing the skills and innovation of Scottish butchers.

Butchers who are members of the Scotch Butchers Club entered products which had already been recognised nationally through other prestigious butchers’ competitions, for the competition. The products were then judged by a panel from the Federation of Chefs Scotland at Edinburgh College, who cast a critical and expert eye over the award-winning products.

The finalist products are from John Lawsons and Boghall Butchers of West Lothian; Mearns T. McCaskie of Wemyss Bay; John Saunderson’s butchers of Edinburgh; A.D Paton butchers of Largs and Watson’s of Leven, with the range of products entered including Scotch Lamb Pies, Minted Rack of Lamb, Stuffed Lamb Noisettes and Lamb and Mint Burgers.

Paul Boyle from Boghall Butchers said he was absolutely delighted be a finalist: “We are proud to be recognised for using such high-quality Scotch Lamb and feel incredibly honoured to be finalists in the Champion of Champions Scotch Lamb PGI Award.

“We always strive to provide the best quality produce for our customers and encourage people to buy locally-sourced produce. Our customers love our Scotch Lamb pies and it seems the judges did too!”

QMS marketing executive Graeme Sharp said: “All of the products entered into the Champion of Champions Scotch Lamb PGI Awards are truly a cut above the rest when it comes to quality and taste. Many congratulations to all the finalists.”

The winner of the Champion of Champions Scotch Lamb Award will be announced in the coming weeks as the Scotch Lamb campaign gets underway.