The butchers is the first stop for the best chefs and hoteliers both on the island and farther into Argyll-shire. Macqueens also has a regular following of customers from the mainland who either have packs sent to them direct or make the monthly trip to the island especially to stock up at Macqueens.
Locality and Traceability
Continuing the tradition of their father, David and Ronald Macqueen source the vast majority of the produce they sell from Bute and the surrounding islands, they maintain good strong relationships with local farmers and are able to monitor the quality of meat being produced; fundamental when achieving the quality Macqueens are renowned for.
Supported Breeds can be as diverse as native highland cattle, to blackfaced hill lambs, or larger Angus cross and textile lambs reared unforced in their natural environment. The diverse grazing as found on Bute produces meat of a quality and flavour unmatched by commercial cattle. Both Beef and lamb, are then traditionally 'hung' and stored for up to 28 days or more before being carved and prepared using over 60+ years of combined expertise they have between them.
”Rest assured only the best lamb and beef make it to the counter at Macqueen and Sons”.
Traditional Skills
The shop processes haven't changed much in the last few decades indeed a Macqueen’s apprentice butcher will be learning mostly the same skills as the Macqueen boys themselves did over 30 years ago and though product ranges may have increased over the years, methods are largely unchanged from their father's time over ½ a century ago. Haggis, black puddings and sausages are all made on a daily basis, mixed and piped entirely by hand; adjusting the mix depending on the meat and seasoned using the Macqueen Brothers own blends of herbs and spices.
Community
Macqueen and Sons have been at the heart of this island community for over 35 years, seeing many changes: more convenient mainland ferry access, the arrival on the island of the giant supermarkets, broadband and internet shopping. Yet through all these changes this small family business has thrived to maintain a strong valued local support, testimony indeed to their hard work, quality meat and the efficient friendly service on offer.