Fife butcher inundated with orders after TV appearance

Burntisland butcher Tom Courts with Scottish comedian and television presenter Susan Calman. Tom has been inundated with orders for his award-winning haggis since his appearance on 'Secret Scotland' on Friday night.

The Burntisland butcher appeared on ‘Secret Scotland’, which is fronted by Scottish comedian and television presenter Susan Calman, on Friday night.

And since the episode, which also featured Falkland Palace, the Wemyss Caves and Elie, was aired, Tom has been inundated with orders of his award-winning haggis.

Tom Courts, based in the High Street, was crowned Scottish Haggis Champion 2019 at the Scottish Meat Trade Fair in Perth in May last year.

Tom is due to launch a new website next month for his butcher shop products including his award winning sausage rolls. Pic: Fife Photo Agency

The move comes as the town businessman is in the process of launching an online shop for his businesses’ award-winning products.

It follows the success of his website to sell his champion haggis throughout the UK which went live in the summer.

He was visited by Susan and a film crew in July when he was filmed preparing and cooking a batch of haggis and Susan tried to get Tom to reveal his secret ingredients, after guessing some of the spices he uses to make his popular dish.

Tom said he has been delighted with the response to the television programme: “My phone and haggis website melted over the weekend! I am now working a night shift tonight in order to process all my haggis orders.

"I have had orders from all over the UK and I have my other website going live at the beginning of November for my butchers."

New gift shop opens in Leven Little Mix The Search: Kirkcaldy songwriter Billy Reekie wow s stars

"I use the same recipe that my father formulated 50 years ago, but in recent years I have added an extra couple of ingredients which I believe makes my haggis stand out.

"That is evidenced in the fact that the last three times the competition has taken place I have been Reserve Champion 2015-16 and Champion 2019-20.”

He continued: “I am absolutely delighted with the reaction – I have had lots of messages from customers locally and from people I know throughout the UK, it has been amazing.

"We have invested a lot of money in our online venture and a bespoke production unit where it will be run from.”

Tom added: “Susan Calman is every bit as funny and engaging off camera as she is on it and I really enjoyed the experience.”

Thank you for reading this story on our website. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, we are asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspapers - the Fife Free Press, Fife Herald, St Andrews Citizen and East Fife Mail.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper. Thank you.