A NUMBER of Scottish butchers have struck gold with their quality produce at the recent Scottish Craft Butcher Awards, which were judged pre-lockdown.

Butchers were rewarded for particular efforts to raise quality standards and explore new product ranges in response to changing consumer demands. Gold and Silver awards were allocated to three categories; beef burgers, speciality burgers and speciality sausages. Those that received gold recognition are now in the running for the top Diamond award, which is given to the overall winner of each category and will be announced this July.

President of the Scottish Craft Butchers, Scott Jarron, commented: “These evaluations always reveal really appealing products that craft butchers make and sell. The superior quality of barbecue and grill products is widely acknowledged by customers and the innovative range comes as a response to consumers becoming more adventurous with their tastes and they are always keen to support local businesses who make their own unique quality products. It is always worth going the extra mile for something extra special."

Sponsoring the awards were Dalziel Ltd: “We are very proud to sponsor and support this prestigious product evaluation event for Scottish Craft Butchers," said the firm's Danny Upson. "These events are so important to help our craft butchers to raise quality standards and encourage product innovation. And, more importantly it highlights the craftsmanship, innovation and the superior quality of the products made by our Scottish Craft Butchers.”

Gold awards within the beef burger section were awarded to:- Boghall Butchers, D & J Rodger Butchers, D H Robertson, Elderslie Butchers, Fergusons of Airdrie, Forbes Raeburn, Grierson Bros, Hugh Black & Sons, I J McIntosh, J Hall & Sons Butchers, James Aitken Butchers, James Anderson, James Pringle, John M Munro, K & F Butchers, Pearson Hepburn, S Collins & Son, Strachan Craft Butchers, The Buffalo Farm, The Cross Butchers Ltd and Thomas Burns & Son.

Silver awards within the beef burger section were awarded to:- A D Paton, A J Jamieson, Alan Elliot, Alex Bicket Ltd, Anderson Quality Butchers, Andrew Kirk, Ann Davidson Butchers, Bruce of the Broch, Crombies of Edinburgh, D G Lindsay & Son, Donald Gilmour, Ewan Morrice, Fleming Butchers, Fraser Brothers, G R Brown, Gary Walker Butchers, Gleddoch Family Butchers, H M Sheridan, J M Quality Meats, John Stewart, Kilnford Farm Shop, Linton Butchers, Pollok Williamson, Puddledub, S. A. Mackie Butchers, Scott Brothers, T H Stevenson & Sons, Thomas Johnston, W F Stark and W Reid Butchers.

Gold awards within the speciality sausage section were awarded to:- A J Jamieson, Anderson Quality Butchers, Ann Davidson Butchers, Bel's Butchers, Coq & Bull Butchers, Crombies of Edinburgh, D G Lindsay & Son, David Bennett & Son, Donald Gilmour, Elderslie Butchers, Fleming Butchers, Forbes Raeburn, Gleddoch Family Butchers, H M Sheridan, H W Irvine, Hugh Black & Sons, I J McIntosh, J Hall & Sons Butchers, J M Quality Meats, James Aitken Butchers, James Anderson, James Pringle, John M Munro, John Stewart, Kilnford Farm Shop, Linton Butchers, MacQueens of Rothesay, Marzipan's Meats Ltd, McCaskies, S. A. Mackie Butchers, S Collins & Son, Scott Brothers, Shaws Fine, Meats, Strachan Craft Butchers, T H Stevenson & Sons, The House of Bruar, Thomas Burns & Son, Thomas Johnston, W F Stark and Watsons of Leven.

Silver awards within the specialist sausage section were awarded to: - A D Paton, A Donald Ltd, A Weir Butchers, Alan Elliot, Anderson Quality Butchers, Andrew Kirk, Ann Davidson Butchers, Bel's Butchers, Blair Drummond Smiddy, Boghall Butchers, Bruce of the Broch, D G Lindsay & Son, D H Robertson, Dales Traditional Butchers Ltd, David Bennett & Son, Duncan MacKenzie, Elderslie Butchers, Ewan Morrice, Fraser Brothers, Gleddoch Family Butchers, Gloagburn Farm Butchery, H W Irvine, I J McIntosh, James Aitken Butchers, James Anderson, James Pringle, John M Munro, K & F Butchers, Linton Butchers, MacQueens of Rothesay, Marzipan's Meats Ltd, McCaskies, Pearson Hepburn, Puddledub, S Collins & Son, Scott Brothers, Strachan Craft Butchers, T H Carson, The Buffalo Farm, The Cross Butchers Ltd, The House of Bruar, Thomas Burns & Son, W Reid Butchers, W T S Forsyth & Sons and Watsons of Leven.

Gold awards within the specialist burger section were awarded to: - A Picken & Sons, A Weir Butchers, Anderson Quality Butchers, Boghall Butchers, David Bennett & Son, Elderslie Butchers, Forbes Raeburn, Gleddoch Family Butchers, Gloagburn Farm Butchery, H M Sheridan, I J McIntosh, J Hall & Sons Butchers, J M Quality Meats, John M Munro, John Stewart, MacQueens of Rothesay, Marzipan's Meats Ltd, Scott Brothers, T H Carson, T H Stevenson & Sons, The Buffalo Farm, The Cross Butchers Ltd, The House of Bruar, Thomas Burns & Son, W T S Forsyth & Sons and Watsons of Leven.

Silver awards within the specialist burger section were awarded to: - A D Paton, A Donald Ltd, A J Jamieson, A Weir Butchers, Alan Elliot, Alex Bicket Ltd, Anderson Quality Butchers, Andrew Kirk, Ann Davidson Butchers, Blair Drummond Smiddy, Coq & Bull Butchers, Crombies of Edinburgh, D & J Rodger Butchers, D G Lindsay & Son, D H Robertson, D O'Neill Quality Butcher, David Bennett & Son, Donald Gilmour, Duncan MacKenzie, Elderslie Butchers, Ewan Morrice, Fergusons of Airdrie, Fleming Butchers, Forbes Raeburn, Fraser Brothers, G R Brown, H W Irvine, Hugh Black & Sons, I J McIntosh, J Hall & Sons Butchers, J M Quality Meats, James Aitken Butchers, James Chapman (Butchers) Ltd, John M Munro, John Stewart, K & F Butchers, Kilnford Farm Shop, Linton Butchers, MacQueens of Rothesay, Marzipan's Meats Ltd, McCaskies, Pearson Hepburn, Pollok Williamson, Puddledub, S. A. Mackie Butchers, S Collins & Son, Scott Brothers, Shaws Fine Meats, Strachan Craft Butchers, T H Carson, T H Stevenson & Sons, The Buffalo Farm, The House of Bruar, Thomas Burns & Son, Thomas Johnston, W F Stark, W T S Forsyth & Sons, Watsons of Leven and We Hae Meat.