A WEMYSS Bay butchers has shown the proof is in the pudding after scooping up a coveted national title for the fourth time.

Nigel Ovens, owner of McCaskie's Butchers, has retained Scotland’s National Black Pudding Championship title for 2024 with an unprecedented fourth championship win in the Scotland-wide competition.

The undisputed king of the black pudding’s latest champion is a new recipe created for the company’s newly-acquired Pirie’s sub-brand, which narrowly pipped McCaskie’s existing title holder to lift the West of Scotland Regional Championship.

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It then went on to secure the national title in the Scottish Craft Butchers Awards.

Greenock Telegraph: Nigel Ovens from McCaskie's says he is delighted to hang on to the title in one of the industry’s

A delighted Nigel said: “If the renowned McCaskie’s black pudding had to be pushed out of the running, I’m absolutely thrilled that it was by another of my recipes.

“We naturally didn’t want to change anything about the 2022 McCaskie’s champion, but our Pirie’s brand gave us the chance to experiment with a slightly sweeter version – and it has proved a winner on its first outing.”

“We’re incredibly honoured to retain the title – it’s one that every butcher aspires to and we don’t take this achievement lightly.

“It makes me immensely proud to say I have created two championship-winning black puddings – I’m absolutely elated.

When asked about the secret to his award-winning puddings, Nigel added: “Finest Scottish oatmeal, Aberdeen Angus beef fat, the finest quality spices from around the world – and the rest is top secret.”

Nigel has now won the Scottish Black Pudding Championship title in 2024, 2022, 2004 and 2003.

Around 1,000 kgs are produced at Wemyss Bay every week to supply customers across the UK.

Nigel’s passion for black pudding saw him spearhead a campaign to stage a National Black Pudding Day to celebrate and acknowledge the Scottish staple – the first being held throughout the UK on March 18 this year.

McCaskie’s bought the legendary James Pirie and Son brand a month ago, bringing the five times World Scotch Pie Champion into the Wemyss Bay stable, along with a host of other award-winning products.

Greenock Telegraph:

Plans are in hand to develop the Pirie’s brand and Nigel said this national championship would prove the ideal boost.

He added: “There’s little doubt that if you want the best black pudding in Scotland, then head to Wemyss Bay where you can have your choice of two Championship winners.”