A family business providing l
Founded by John (Jack) Saunderson in 1958, there are three generations of the Saunderson family currently working in the business. In our butcher’s shop on Leven Street in Edinburgh, we are supported by a fantastic team of experienced butchers.
Meet the people who are responsible for cutting, preparing and selling our locally sourced, high-quality Scotch beef, Scotch lamb, Specially Selected pork & poultry. And make sure to say hi next time you’re in the shop!
Janet - Finances
1969
John’s mother has worked in the office since 1969. She’s still keeping him on the financial straight and narrow!
John - Owner
1993 - present
John has taken over the family business from his father, John (Ian). When he’s not spending time with his wife Susan and their children Callum, Ewan & Hazel, he loves to play golf, and enjoys gardening and walking the dog.
Favourite recipe
John’s favourite recipe is flat iron beef with garlic mushrooms, roast potatoes and watercress salad. In summer, however, BBQ is his favourite type of cooking, sitting outside with a cold beer.
Susan - Office
Susan is responsible for all our office and admin work. She takes care of our accounting, paperwork and computer, and is usually the one answering the phone when you call us.
Favourite recipe
Susan’s favourite recipe is a traditional, hearty roast beef with rolled silverside and vegetables. It’s comfort food at its best and perfect for Sunday dinner with the family.
Ewan - Manufacturer
2013 - present
At work, Ewan is responsible for all our homemade pies, sausages, puddings & haggis. In his free time, he’s very sporty & spends a lot of time playing & watching football, rugby & golf.
Favourite recipe
Ewan’s favourite recipe is a simple Thai beef salad. His favourite cut of meat for this recipe is either sirloin or ribeye steak, although he can also recommend flat iron steaks if you feel adventurous!
Alan - Shop Manager
Alan has 35 years experience in the trade and has worked with the Saunderson family since 1990. As most customers know, he’s a keen golfer and enjoys football as well.
Favourite meat
Alan’s favourite is Sirloin Steak. He likes the nice balance of lean meat and fat and it’s always well-hung in the shop for a minimum of 21 days. Perfect along with green peppercorn sauce or Diane Sauce!
Adam - Butcher's Assistant
Adam enjoys cooking almost as much as he enjoys tasting new food. In his spare time, he’s an avid reader and lover of horror. He loves to travel when he’s not looking after his pet snake ‘Sleeves’.
Favourite recipe
Adam’s favourite meal is an ox cheek ragu. Braise the checks in a mixture of red wine and rich beef stock, then shred them through some homemade pasta. Makes for a wonderfully fresh and deeply flavoured ragu.
Calum - Butcher's Assistant
2021 to present
Originally from Kirkcaldy, Calum moved up to Edinburgh to gain some valuable experience at Saunderson’s. In his free time, he’s a keen cyclist and huge rugby fan.
Favourite recipe
Calum’s favourite recipe is braised pork cheek on an English muffin with a poached egg and Hollandaise Sauce. Very tasty and a great alternative to the classic Eggs Benedict!
Hazel - Counter Assistant
Bubbly and enthusiastic, our counter assistant Hazel is always up for a chat. In her free time, she enjoys watching documentaries and is a fount of general knowledge because of it.
Favourite cooking tip
Hazel’s favourite tip is a great way to spice up a steak pie or stew: Just crumble in some blue cheese before serving. Its creamy, salty flavour complements the Scotch beef perfectly.