1967
In his hometown of Lochgelly, Tom Courts Senior started his business in 1967. Less than a decade later the Courts and the company were relocated to nearby Burntisland.
1986
It was here in 1986 that Tom Courts Junior joined his father as an apprentice. With the two together, it marked the beginning of a family run business that would span decades.
1992
The two Toms continued to work side by side until Tom Court Snr retired in 1992. With his father stepping down, Tom Jnr decided to pursue other interests, going into higher education and eventually the police force.
2003
However, Tom Courts Snr didn't stay out of the butchery game for long. He came out of retirement to open a new business just six months later in Cowdenbeath. Tom Snr ran this business until 2003, which is when he offered his son the opportunity to take over. Over the next decade, Tom Jnr expanded the business into one of the busiest butchers in Scotland. The business also became one of the largest independent employers in the local area.
2013
As the business continued to grow, a second shop opened in Lochgelly in 2013. From here Tom Jnr built his record of competition success, becoming second to none in the Scottish meat trade.
2015
Unfortunately, in 2013 and 2014, Tom Jnr's wife and fellow Director, Norah, needed life-saving surgery. Seeing this as a wake-up call, he decided to take a sabbatical, eventually selling the business in June 2015.
2016
Like his father before him; however, Tom Jnr didn't stay out of the butcher business for long. Tom bought a smaller shop in August 2016 with plans for a simpler life. After just a month, and extensive refurbishments, Tom's new butcher shop opened in his hometown of Burntisland. The shop opened to stunning success from day one and is now a staple of the Burntisland high street. Business boomed, Tom continued to expand, and more family members began to help. Lorna Blake, Tom's sister Lorna joined as a pie maker, and to help run the deli side of the shop. At the same time, Tom's daughter Ellen began to work part-time basis, showing that family is still an essential part of the business.
2017
From here the shop and Tom won award after award. In 2017 the shop was awarded. 'Britain’s Best New Butchers Business' at the Butcher Shop of the Year Awards. Over the next few years, the shop won several national product awards, and its reputation grew.
2019
All of the work and the success lead to Tom achieving his career ambition in 2019, winning the Scottish Haggis Championship in Perth. Tom's haggis won over those from 70 other butchers from all over Scotland, starting as a regional winner and then taking the grand national championship. Achieving the ‘Holy Grail’ award for Scottish butchers inspired Tom to begin selling his version of the national dish to everyone. Made using a family recipe passed down from his father, Tom's take on traditional haggis represents decades of hard work and excellence in the butcher business. Burntisland Haggis is now available for purchase online throughout the world. His popular dish is ready for weekday suppers, Burns Night celebrations and everything in between.