Busiest Time of Year for Scottish Butchers

Scottish TV personality Carol Smillie joined the team at John Lawson Butchers in Uphall, West Lothian to help serve customers during one of the shop’s busiest weeks of the year.

During an hour-long visit to the shop Ms Smillie donned a Scotch Lamb apron and went behind the counter to join staff in the bustling premises which was recently named Scottish Butchers Shop of the Year.

The festive period is traditionally the busiest time of year for butchers around the country and during her visit customers were ordering a range of top quality festive fayre from Scotch Beef sirloin roasts to meatballs from the delicatessen.

The business was founded by John and Linda Lawson in 1979 and remains truly a family business also involving their sons John Stuart and Graham.

These days the business has expanded into a thriving operation including a delicatessen and strong on-line sales, and has two further shops based  at Winchburgh and Broxburn.

During the festive period the business will also sell more than 1000 Scotch Beef steak pies, which are a New Year favourite, along with a range of other top quality products.

The shop is also a member of the Scotch Butchers Club run by Quality Meat Scotland, which has more than 300 members around the country.

“We were delighted to win the Butchers Shop of the Year Award and it was a pleasure to welcome Carol Smillie to our shop this week,” said John Lawson.

“As our business has grown we have always maintained the philosophy of selling good quality local produce at fair prices. All our beef and lamb is farmed locally by my brother Russell Lawson at Midseat farm Bathgate.”

Mr Lawson added: “Our thanks to Carol for taking such an interest in what we do and for adding some extra sparkle to the shop!

“We wish Carol and all our customers a very happy Christmas and look forward to continuing to serve top quality Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb in 2015.”