Aberdeenshire Butcher crowned Scotland’s Best Loved – Aberdeen Business News

Customers of Ewan Morrice Quality Butchers – with shops in Peterhead, Stuartfield and Mintlaw – have heaped praise on the business to see it win the first-ever Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB) “Love Your Local Butcher” Award.

And at a special awards lunch at the weekend, emotional owner 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.”

Scottish Craft Butchers 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.

“I can hardly believe it – it hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Ewan. “We’re no different to many other butchers out there, so to win this award is amazing.”

Ewan Morrice’s customers, however, feel that the outstanding knowledgeable service, friendly welcome and willingness to go the extra mile for their clients mark them out as the very best in the business.

Customer Fiona Wallace, whose nomination was chosen as the winning accolade, said every trip to the shop 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.”

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 area, 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 (MND) 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.”

The Scottish Craft Butchers (SCB) award, supported by the Scotch Butchers Club, set out to determine how much customers loved their local craft butcher.

SCB Executive Manager Gordon King said that almost 1,000 nominations extolling the virtues of butchers up and down the country was testament to the vital roll the businesses play in people’s lives and the genuine affection people have for them.

“It was tough competition, but Fiona’s nomination stood out and her admiration and affection for all that is good about Ewan Morrice Quality Butchers shone through,” he said.

“A butcher is more than just a supplier of food – they create a legacy of relationships with their customers that will last a lifetime.

“I have complete admiration for Ewan Morrice and his team. He battles with MND every day yet still puts his family, colleagues and customers first.”

Ewan’s son James, who runs the Peterhead shop, has just completed the Craft Butchers Diploma of Scotland – butchery’s highest award in Scotland.

“Ewan’s standards and values have been instilled in James and the rest of the team ensuring that the future of Scotland’s best loved butcher is in safe hands.”