Ewan Morrice Quality Butchers – with shops in Peterhead, Stuartfield and Mintlaw – has won the first-ever Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB) ‘Love Your Local Butcher’ award.
SCB launched the hunt for the country’s best-loved butcher in September with nearly 1,000 nominations pouring in from customers across the whole of Scotland.
Customer Fiona Wallace’s nomination was chosen as the winning accolade. She said every trip to Ewan Morrice was “an absolute delight”.
“Ewan’s dedication, high-quality products, creativity, humour, and warm personality make every visit a joy,” she said. “He is the butcher everyone deserves, but he is mine! He is truly deserving of this award.
“For over 10 years, I have enjoyed his tongue-in-cheek banter that brightens even my worst days.
“I have trusted him for not just the highest quality meats, but for his knowledgeable advice and creative suggestions. His award-winning pork sausages are the only ones my girls will eat and his variety of cuts and flavours – such as the lamb with black garlic – is unmatched. Whether it’s advising on the best marinade or offering something new for BBQ season, they always deliver.”
Speaking at a special celebratory lunch, an emotional Ewan Morrice said the award marked one of the proudest moments of his life.
“Customers are the most important part of our business,” he said, “and to know how highly we are regarded by them gives us all a really warm feeling – it’s brilliant.
“I can hardly believe it – it hasn’t sunk in yet. We’re no different to many other butchers out there, so to win this award is amazing.”
Ewan (63) has been in the meat industry since he left school. He took ownership of his first shop in 1996 and gradually built up a business across the north-east, instilling his own set of values in all his staff – including his family members.
“I always want to see customers treated the way I would want to be treated in a shop,” he said. “They are our most valued asset and kindness and courtesy and taking the time to chat costs nothing.
“We see more than 1,000 customers a week and if they don’t come in smiling, I can guarantee they will leave smiling.”
Ewan has been battling the early onset of motor neurone disease for the past four years and says the business and the customers provide his “safe space” away from his troubles.
“While the customers may say we make them feel valued, our customers have provided a real comfort to me when I’m not feeling so great. I get a real buzz when I’m with them and they can make you forget about everything else. It’s like having a huge extended family.
“We’re so grateful to Fiona for her winning nomination and very touched and humbled by the award. It’s comforting to know that everything I have held dear about how the team should treat our customers has been upheld by their touching and extremely welcome support.”
