Haggis hoo-ha as dish given ‘British’ twist

food: Fife firm makes new version of the traditional fare, including Union Jack packaging

An award-winning Fife haggis maker has sparked fury by making a “British” version of the dish – complete with Union Jack packaging.

Stahly Quality Foods, based in Glenrothes, launched the controversial product to tie in with the recent Great British Bake Off phenomenon.

Packaged in Union Jack colours, the tinned dish is described on the box as “Traditional haggis in a tin. Made with the finest British ingredients”.

A description on the supplier’s website, reads: “The latest addition to the Stahly haggis family is the Great British haggis.

“Made, of course, with the finest traditional ingredients, this modern take on the original scotch haggis is dressed to appeal to a wider audience.

“In a smart new coat of red, white and blue with a subtle hint of tartan to retain its proud Scottish heritage, the new Great British haggis is a very modern version of a very traditional product.”

However, their latest addition has been described as an “abomination” by Scots, some of them still fuming about Tesco’s decision to remove the saltire from boxes of Scottish strawberries.

Some social media users initially thought the new haggis was part of a joke and that images had been Photoshopped.

But after going on the company’s website, dozens of outraged messages were shared.

Teine Sionnachan wrote: “It’s the real deal, thought it might have been Photoshop but nope.”

Rival Scottish haggis makers have also hit out at Stahly saying they should be promoting Scotland in every country they supply to.

Lindsay Grieve, champion haggis maker in Hawick, said: “Haggis is Scottish and that’s about all there is to it so I’m not in agreement with them doing that. We should be promoting our own country.”

However JB Hamilton & Son, a butcher based in Biggar, South Lanarkshire, did not see any issue with the advertising.

Their spokesman said: “Yes, haggis is considered a Scottish product but it’s enjoyed by our neighbours in England, Wales and I’m sure Ireland as well, so I would not criticise this branding.”

It’s the real deal, thought it might have been Photoshop but nope. TEINE SIONNACHAN

Picture: Stahly Quality Foods. The Glenrothes firm has altered the packaging to a more British theme.