The hunt is on for the world’s best haggis.
Producers from across the globe are invited to present their finest versions of Scotland’s national dish at the World Haggis Championship 2025 in Perth on May 11.
Staged by Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB), this year’s event will build on the success of the first ever search for the world’s best held in 2023. And the fiercely competitive biennial gathering looks set to attract even more experts vying for the title as the countdown begins.
SCB executive manager Gordon King said the search for the world’s best haggis would see some of the finest producers gather to do battle.
“Haggis is a dish enjoyed by the Scottish diaspora throughout the world and there are a lot of experts out there producing some truly amazing products,” he said. “We’re inviting them to go head-to-head in a bid to secure what is seen as the ultimate accolade among haggis producers.
“Scottish Craft Butchers is delighted to host the second World Haggis Championship and the industry is already buzzing with excitement about the event. Every haggis recipe is unique – some dating back generations.
“This is the title everyone wants, and we look forward to some fierce competition, inspiring talent and outstanding haggises.”
Keen to retain the honour is reigning champion Laura Black of independent craft butchers Coopers of Bellshill who lifted the inaugural trophy two years ago.
“It’s been an amazing two years,” she said. “We were totally unprepared for what the title would bring in terms of business and publicity as well as the honour of being judged as producing the best haggis in the world. It was absolutely fantastic.”
Laura’s company enjoyed immediate recognition with local and national media attention and haggis production has since tripled to meet demand from all over the world.
“The demand for our haggis allowed us to expand and build a new unit for wholesale manufacturing,” added Laura. “Becoming world champions transformed our business.”
Now the president of Scottish Craft Butchers, Laura encouraged haggis producers to be a part of “an amazing competition”.
“If you make haggis that you and your customers think is a winner, then throw your hat into the ring and – who knows – you could be a world champion.”
The competition is staged as part of the SCB Trade Fair – a biennial event attended by butchers from across the UK. So, the World Haggis Champion will hold the crown for two years.
“We’re looking for a 500g traditional Scottish haggis in ball shape,” detailed Laura. “We’re not looking for speciality products that shift away from the traditional fare. Judges will be looking at appearance, flavour, texture and the true rustic nature of our national dish.”
Judges will select five regional winners from within SCB members before including all-comers in the battle for the world title, along with two runners-up. All entrants must produce and retail haggis and meet other terms and conditions laid down by the competition.
Grampian Oat Products returns as sponsors of the 2025 event.
“We’re proud to be back sponsoring the World Haggis Championship,” said Managing Director, Alan Meikle. “It’s wonderful to see that the tradition of haggis making continues to thrive, and we are proud to supply the very best oats to Scotland’s craft butchers.
“Every butcher’s recipe is unique and a closely guarded secret, and this tradition, passion and creativity make this competition so exciting. We’re looking forward to seeing and tasting all the entries and, of course, to announcing the results in Perth on May 11.”
Link to form: https://craftbutchers.co.uk/pdf/World_Haggis_Championship_2025_Entry_Form.pdf
