Scotland’s Butchers Reign Supreme at British Butchery Awards 2025

Scotland stole the spotlight at the British Butchery Awards 2025, with two exceptional businesses, both proud members of the Scotch Butchers Club and Scottish Craft Butchers, taking home top honours. Meanwhile, industry champion Gordon King received a prestigious Special Recognition Award.

Marshalls Farm Shop in Kintore was crowned Best Large Butchery Business in Scotland, while Puddledub Butchers in Kirkcaldy claimed Best Small Butchery Business in Scotland at a glamorous black-tie ceremony held in Nottingham on Monday 30 June.

Meanwhile, Gordon King, Executive Manager of Scottish Craft Butchers, was honoured for his unwavering dedication to training apprentices and advancing Scotland’s butchery sector.

The awards, hosted by National Craft Butchers and sponsored by Dalziel, celebrate the finest in British butchery, recognising skill, quality, and innovation across the UK.

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), which runs the Scotch Butchers Club to support independent butchers championing Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork, praised the winners for their passion and excellence.

Sarah Millar, Chief Executive of QMS said: “Marshalls and Puddledub perfectly embody what makes Scotland’s butchers world-class: passion, innovation, and an uncompromising commitment to quality from farm to shop. These family businesses competed against the best in Scotland and emerged victorious. Gordon King’s Special Recognition Award is thoroughly deserved — his career has been dedicated to raising standards, inspiring future talent, and championing the industry.On behalf of QMS and the Scotch Butchers Club, congratulations to all the finalists and nominees who showcased such exceptional skill and dedication.”

Gordon King added: “These results are especially rewarding because both Marshalls and Puddledub are relatively young businesses on steep learning curves. They’ve created award-winning butcheries recognised for exceptional product quality, environmental responsibility, customer service, skills, and overall shop experience.

“The British Butchery Awards are unique in being backed by the industry itself, with secret shoppers visiting every finalist to get an honest view of their quality and service.

“These family farming businesses have successfully launched retail units showcasing their meat products and earned award-winning status, proving they can compete with Scotland’s best, including well-established big players, and come out on top.

They’re driven, determined people investing in their businesses, taking them to a level that ranks among the very best in the UK. I couldn’t be happier for them.”

Elsewhere, Turnbull’s Northumbrian Food Hall in Alnwick, Northumberland — also a Scotch Butchers Club member as well as Scottish Craft Butchers— won Best Large Butchery Business in the North of England, highlighting the deep pool of talent across Britain’s butchery industry.

Winners were selected following thorough mystery shopping of all finalists, evaluating everything from product quality to customer experience.

The British Butchery Awards will return in 2027.