Shops across Courier Country have seen healthy sales of haggis in the run-up to Burns Night.
Scotland’s national dish will be served on dinner tables up and down the country on Wednesday January 25 to celebrate the 258th birthday of the nation’s most famous poet Robert Burns.
Gilbert Grossett, owner of the Grossett of Tayside butchers on Arbroath Road, Dundee, reported healthy sales picking up on Monday.
He said: “We’ve started selling today that’s for certain. We make our own. People prefer real haggis and trust their local butchers. Goodness knows what some of the supermarkets put in theirs!”
Robert Cameron, 58, manager at Minick of Cupar Ltd butchers in Crossgate, Cupar, put a display of haggis out on Saturday and had “sold loads” since.
He said: “So far today we’ve sold about 20. And on Saturday we must have sold between 30 and 40.
“I would say the amount we are selling is on a par with the run up to most Burns nights.
“Our customers always like to buy them from a butchers because they are fresh – not factory made.”
Surprise
Scott Jarron, 50, owner of Scott Bros butchers, said there had been “phenomenal” haggis sales at their three shops in Dundee.
He said: “It’s taken us by surprise. I think because Burns Night this year is between two weekends, people have been taking advantage. We also do a lot of wholesale.”
Mr Jarron added that it was good to see customers supporting local businesses.
Simon Howie, family butchers of Perth, revealed last Thursday was the firm’s biggest-ever day for haggis deliveries to UK supermarkets.
The business – which sold more than £3 million of haggis last year – was recently named the world’s best-selling haggis producer.
Mr Howie said: “As of last week, our delivered-in volumes of haggis have increased by an incredible 40% on last year and we have sold 32% more cases of haggis into the rest of the UK than the previous year.
“Indeed, now six out of every 10 haggis we sell are sold out with Scotland to the rest of the UK.”
Supermarket Asda reported that more than 50 tons of haggis will be sold this year, with sales increasing by almost 20% across its 61 Scottish stores.
The retailer has released a list of the nation’s top-selling haggis stores, with Edinburgh Brunstane coming in at number one, following by Livingston and Robroyston in Glasgow.
Authentic
Some stores will be celebrating the day by having traditional bagpipers in store and an authentic address to the haggis taking place live.
Local buying manager Heather Turnbull said: “Year-on-year, we’ve seen sales of haggis grow, with an expected peak around Burns Night.
“With the large variety available throughout the year, we’re seeing that Scots are enjoying haggis more often and not just limiting themselves to Burns.
“Innovations such as party bits and haggis pakora are also becoming more and more popular.”
