The hunt for the world’s best haggis is on again with the launch of the World Haggis Championship 2025.
First staged in 2023 and hosted by Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB), the biennial event will take place in Perth on 11 May.
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 keep her hands on the title is reigning champion Laura Black of independent craft butchers Coopers of Bellshill who lifted the inaugural trophy in 2023.
“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.
“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 sponsor of the 2025 event.
