John Angus Macsween (17 October 1939 - 12 July 2006) was a Scottish butcher and entrepreneur who helped popularise haggis as an international dish.[1] [2] [3] [4]
Macsween came from a family of butchers in Edinburgh, where he noted the popularity of haggis among English rugby fans attending international matches at Murrayfield Stadium.[1] After taking over the family business in 1975, the subsequent popularity of their haggis led to his opening the world's first purpose-built haggis factory, and the sale of the butchers company.[1] [5] In the 1970s Macsween took samples to London, and soon received orders for Macsween haggis from major buyers including Selfridges, Harrods, and Fortnum & Mason.[1] [5]
Macsween started to produce what was described as a vegetarian haggis in 1984, after a request from the Burns Supper at the Scottish Poetry Library.[1] [5] It is stated that this was the first vegetarian haggis produced and available commercially.[3]
Macsween was the eldest of three siblings and attended James Gillespie's High School and George Heriot's School.[2]
Macsween married Kate Mackay, the daughter of James Wilson McKay, who became Lord Provost of Edinburgh, in 1964.[5] His wife and his four children survived him at this death,[1] and Macsween haggis continued to be produced,[6] sold under both the Macsween name and as supermarkets' own brands.[7]
He also had an interest in horticulture.[2]