Fury as Tennant slates brekkie favourite
It is claimed that square sausage got its name from the 1920s Glaswegian music hall comedian Tommy Lorne or that it is named after Lorne in Argyll.
The latter is believed to be more likely as there were newspaper adverts for Lorne
David Tennant may have bitten off more than he can chew – after telling Doctor Who fans in the US that Scotland’s favourite breakfast is nothing more than “floor scrapings”.
The former Time Lord said he can’t stomach a square sausage in the morning, claiming it’s made with leftover meat. Tennant, 46, also said the traditional morning roll filler is tough enough to tile the Tardis bathroom wall. The dad of four, who plays Calvinist preacher John Knox in new movie Mary Queen Of Scots, faced the wrath of butchers around the countr y af ter the outburst. Tennant, who was born in Bathgate, West Lothian, told a US fan convention: “We have this thing called square sausage in Scotland. and you toast them. If you’re feeling really Scottish, you can deep fry them in a pan, with a fried egg on top – that’s pretty good. I urge you to try a potato scone.”
But the star, who was raised in Paisley, was challenged to eat his words by Allan Learmonth, who is the reigning Scottish Craft Butchers Sliced Sausage champion.
The Jedburgh butcher said: “It’s definitely not made from the scrapings. Sliced sausages are very traditional Scottish food, especially on the west coast and in the Central Belt.
“The sliced sausage is just minced beef with breadcrumbs and, obviously, secret spices.
“It’s the same as a beef sausage but without the skin – all good quality stuff. It’s not lean steak mince, there is a bit of fat, but there are no scrapings off the f loor – don’t worry, David.”
Allan, who eats Lorne sausage most Sunday mornings, added: “We probably sell between 80lb and 100lb of it a week – that’s a lot of slices. There are definitely no signs of its popularity waning.”
Award-winning butcher Nigel Ovens, of Mearns T McCaskie, whose grandfather opened their first shop in Wemyss Bay in 1935, said: “He’s an east coast boy – nearly – and sliced sausage is not as popular there as it is in the west.
“But it’s a mainstay product, certainly on the west coast, and is one of our biggest sellers.
“It’s a stupid remark to say it’s made with scrapings off the floor. His description is inaccurate and insults all food producers.”