Burns Night treat sets the gold standard
IT may be the great chieftain o’ the puddin’ race but it doesn’t usually cost a fortune to buy one. But now butchers have created an extra special haggis – for fans with very deep pockets.
The ‘world’s most expensive haggis’ is flavoured with truffles and decorated in gold. The Scots delicacy is traditionally made with sheep’s lights, oats, onions and spices and can be bought for a few pounds.
But specialist haggis maker Macsween has sought out more exotic ingredients to create a £4,000 haggis. It contains Highland wagyu beef from hand-reared Perthshire cattle, French white summer truffle, tellicherry black pepper from India, which only grows at more than 2,000ft above sea level, and is decorated with edible 24-carat gold.
The 4kg (8.8lb) haggis is being made to order and will be presented in a handmade wooden cask. Mac- sween managing director James Macsween said: ‘Robert Burns’s famous poem transformed the humble haggis into a world icon and this year we wanted to put a luxury twist on the occasion.
‘Good haggis-making is an art and we wanted to highlight this.’
Meanwhile, supermarket Aldi believes Burns Night sales across the UK will result in a £1million boost for Scotland’s food and drink industry.
Almost 20 products, including fresh haggis, Cullen skink and shortbread, will be promoted in all 627 Aldi stores in the UK.
Richard Holloway, Scottish managing director at Aldi, said: ‘Our commitment to Scottish producers reflects the ongoing strength, increasing demand and continued growth of Scotland’s food and drink industry.’
Family-owned McKechnie Jess has secured a £100,000-plus deal to supply Aldi with fresh haggis. Sales manager Vic Cameron said: ‘It is exciting to see our products sold across the UK for Burns Night.’