Town becomes Scots haggis capital

Scott Carson has been crowned haggis champion for 2009

A small town in southern Scotland is staking its claim for recognition as the country's haggis-making capital.

Dalbeattie butchers have now won the last two Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Associations championships.

Northern Irishman Alan Elliot got the ball rolling when Dalbeattie Fine Foods triumphed in 2007.

Now Scott Carson of nearby TH Carson has followed up by taking the crown this year with a "peppery" recipe handed down from his grandfather.

It means the national title - awarded every two years - has moved just a few yards along Dalbeattie's main street.

The new champion said he was delighted to have kept the crown in Dumfries and Galloway.

He said: "It is absolutely fantastic, butchers try all their lives to win this award - it is the ultimate accolade for us.

"We get on very well with Alan, we have got a good rapport and I am glad it has stayed in the south west."

A touch of added spicyness appears to have won the title

Mr Carson said the most important part of his recipe was using good quality seasoning to give it a "bit of a kick".

"We tend to make ours a little bit more spicy," he said.

"It is no secret we just put in good quality local ingredients - it is all local meat that is used.

"It was my grandfather's recipe it has been handed down from generation to generation."

He added that his only regret was that his haggis-making ancestor was no longer alive to see him receive the honour.

"He would have been over the moon, he was a great Burns enthusiast," said Mr Carson.

"This for him would just have been a fantastic achievement."

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