Nigel Ovens, owner of McCaskie’s butchers, took home gold for his haggis at the Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB) Trade Fair. On the same weekend, he won first prize at Scottish Bakers’ 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards.
The third-generation owner of McCaskie’s Butchers at Wemyss Bay Nigel Ovens has secured the title of World Haggis Champion. He was crowned at the Scottish Craft Butchers Trade Fair in Perth.
Nigel Ovens, McCaskie’s Butchers owner, commented: “This is the culmination of a lifetime’s work to perfect our haggis recipe. I’ve spent years watching, tasting, tweaking and learning from others and I’m absolutely thrilled to be lifting the World Championship – it’s a dream come true.”
Ovens previously won the Scottish Championship 10 years ago with his haggis and decided not to change the recipe. He fought off opposition from 55 other producers and earned “glowing praise” from the judges.
Jon Wilkin, reader in Food Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at Abertay University, said McCaskie’s haggis was the “very best the world could showcase” and a “worthy winner” of the championship: “It’s absolutely fantastic and I can’t imagine there’s a better haggis anywhere. The judges had a tough time because the standard this year was extraordinary, but Nigel’s haggis had something special.
“It was meaty, with a coarse but moist texture, just the right amount of offal to flavour but not overwhelm, a really good salt level and a wonderful spicy peppery element that kicks in at the end – a real champion.”
“This means so much to me. It literally is a lifetime’s achievement – I’m so honoured, so humbled and so thrilled.”
Nigel Ovens, McCaskie’s Butchers
Nigel Ovens stated: “Let’s just say lamb fat probably helps sweeten the haggis and give it broader appeal, but after a lifetime spent perfecting the recipe, I’ll keep the rest a secret.”
He said the world title was a reward for his 24-strong team at Wemyss Bay who work to ensure that his haggis is enjoyed by customers across the UK.
“Haggis is no longer a Burns Night and burst product,” Ovens remarked. “It is a versatile foodstuff used to create a multitude of haggis products enjoyed throughout the year. It’s one of Scotland’s most iconic products and this World Haggis Championship title is the one that every butcher in the country aspires to.
“This means so much to me. It literally is a lifetime’s achievement – I’m so honoured, so humbled and so thrilled.”
Louise Harley from championship sponsor Grampian Oat Products added her congratulations to McCaskie’s after playing her part on the judging panel.
“It was an honour to be part of such a prestigious event as both a judge and a sponsor,” Harley said. “The standard was incredibly high and, although scoring was tight, we congratulate Nigel Ovens and McCaskie’s on an outstanding product.”
Ovens is only the second butcher ever to win the World Haggis Championship – a competition staged for the first time by Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB) in 2023 and held every two years.
Laura Black of Coopers of Bellshill, SCB president and previous holder of the title, said she was delighted to see the extremely high standard of entry for such an iconic dish and congratulated Nigel for reaching his lifetime goal.
“McCaskie’s are well known for their multi-award-winning products and for Nigel to add this World Haggis Championship to his plaudits is just wonderful,” said Laura Black. “There are few butchers who wouldn’t want to add that accolade to their honours and we’re thrilled for him.”
World Championship Scotch Pie Awards
Ovens also picked up the top prize at the 2025 World Championship Scotch Pie Awards on the same weekend, beating 88 companies to become the winner.
He accepted the award on behalf of James Pirie & Sons butchers, which was purchased by his McCaskie’s Butchers in April 2024.
Following an intense judging day, 50 expert judges assessed entries for taste, appearance, smell, and texture across multiple categories – from the iconic Scotch pie to football pies and savouries, macaroni pies, steak pies, sausage rolls, hot and vegetarian savouries, haggis savouries, bridies, and apple pies.
“We’re delighted to celebrate Scotland’s pie makers, our ‘Pieoneers’, who keep our rich culinary heritage alive while pushing the craft forward.”
Lesley Cameron, Scottish Bakers
Lesley Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Bakers, said: “This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate 25 years of the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards. It’s a true testament to the passion, skill, and dedication of our butchers, bakers, and pie makers who continue to set the standard for quality and innovation in our industry.
“Our winners should be incredibly proud – to stand out in such a fiercely competitive field is an outstanding achievement. We’re delighted to celebrate Scotland’s pie makers, our ‘Pieoneers’, who keep our rich culinary heritage alive while pushing the craft forward.”
Scottish Bakers, the association supporting Scotland’s bakery trade, organises the competition to showcase the skills behind the nation’s much-loved pies – lovingly made from scratch using quality, locally sourced ingredients.
Carol Smillie, who presented the awards to the winners, stated: “I am always thrilled to be part of the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards, celebrating the incredible talent and dedication of Scotland’s butchers, bakers and pie makers. Every year, I am amazed by the passion and craftsmanship that goes into creating these delicious pies, and it’s fantastic to see both familiar faces and exciting new talent taking part. The high standard of entries proves that the industry continues to thrive, with more professionals than ever showcasing their skills.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, your hard work and commitment to quality truly deserve to be recognised.”
