Best butcher

01851 702445 www.charlesmacleod.co.uk

This is the place that makes the famed Stornoway black pudding that appears on Michelin-starred restaurant menus across Europe. Known locally as Charley Barley's, it's huge inside with plenty of high-quality, fresh local meat for sale. As well as their ubiquitous black pudding, or marag dubh, to use the Gaelic, they also do a white and a fruit pudding, and the friendly staff will make recommendations based on exactly what you're after. For those who can't make the trek, they also sell online.

2: DUNCAN FRASER, Queensgate, Inverness

01463 233066 www.duncanfraserbutcher.co.uk

A member of the Q-Guild of butchers and among the very best in the UK. The traditional Ayrshire recipe bacon is delicious and the beef is exceptional - a trip to their shop is a must.

3: A F CUTHILL, 60 Warrender Park Road, Edinburgh

0131-229 2986

Terrific meat from people who take pride in selling top-quality produce. Owned by Frank Duns, who has worked at the family business for more than 30 years. Lamb and beef particularly good. A treasure.

4: BALAGOWAN, Glen Lean, Dunoon

01369 705319 www.winstonchurchillvenison.com

Winston Churchill not only handles the packing and processing of meat but stalks and shoots it too. The former gamekeeper (it's his real name) has embraced every process from field to plate. Customers can even book an excursion with deerstalkers to get the meat. The company hangs, processes, packages and dispatches venison and pheasants to local outlets such as the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar or via mail order. Venison is very low in cholesterol and fat and tastes fantastic.

5: GEORGE BOWER, 75 Raeburn Place, Edinburgh

0131-332 3469

Unplucked pheasants hanging from tiled walls, fresh rabbit, venison or pigeon breasts behind the counter and beef in the window. Bower's is heaven for meat-lovers and the 40-minute turkey queue is a Christmas ritual.