Wemyss Bay butcher James Pirie & Son has been named as World Scotch Pie Champion 2025 at this year’s 25th anniversary World Championship Scotch Pie Awards.
This year’s competition saw over 539 products entered by 88 companies encompassing the country’s finest butchers, bakers, and pie makers, each showcasing their ‘skills, passion, and craft’ in pursuit of pie glory.
In the end, James Pirie & Son not only scooped the title of World Champion for the firm’s traditional Scotch Pie, but also took home a Gold award for its family-sized steak pie.
The company, originally of Newtyle near Dundee, has recently been acquired by McCaskie Butchers of Wemyss Bay – on the other side of the country – following the retirement of Alan Pirie.
Both its new owner, Nigel Ovens of McCaskie’s, and Mr Pirie were on-hand to collect their prize, which is the fifth time a Pirie pie has scooped the World Championship.
The prizes were presented at a ceremony held in Glasgow’s Hilton hotel earlier this month, following an intense judging day, where 50 experts assessed entries for taste, appearance, smell, and texture across multiple categories, from the titular Scotch pie to football pies & savouries, macaroni pies, steak pies, sausage rolls, hot and vegetarian savouries, haggis savouries, bridies, and apple pies.
Reflecting the evolving pie industry, the 2025 competition also introduced two new categories, ‘Lighter Options’ and ‘Retailer Pie Product of the Year’.
Chief executive of Scottish Bakers, Lesley Cameron, said: “This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate 25 years of the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards.
“It’s a true testament to the passion, skill, and dedication of our butchers, bakers, and pie makers who continue to set the standard for quality and innovation in our industry.
“Our winners should be incredibly proud – to stand out in such a fiercely competitive field is an outstanding achievement. We’re delighted to celebrate Scotland’s pie makers, our ‘Pieoneers’, who keep our rich culinary heritage alive while pushing the craft forward.”
Carol Smillie, who presented the awards to the winners, added: “I am always thrilled to be part of the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards, celebrating the incredible talent and dedication of Scotland’s butchers, bakers and pie makers.
“Every year, I am amazed by the passion and craftsmanship that goes into creating these delicious pies, and it’s fantastic to see both familiar faces and exciting new talent taking part. The high standard of entries proves that the industry continues to thrive, with more professionals than ever showcasing their skills.”
