Our Story…
Our Beginnings
John M Munro Ltd started just over 100 years ago as a butchers shop in Conon Bridge near Dingwall in the Highlands of Scotland, and since then we have developed and grown to become one of the North of Scotland’s best known butchers.
As a family run business that’s played a significant part in the Ross-shire community since 1922, we have worked continuously to provide our customers with excellent customer service and value for money. We have developed and invested in the very best production methods and skills to produce a wide range of quality meat products.
Our Vision
Our staff, some of whom have worked with us for over 30 years, understand our family philosophy of Community, Value and Excellence.
We still operate the same strict quality standard now as we did when it started and any product that leaves our stores must meet our own family standards.
Our dedicated delivery service, ensures our premium meats reach your premises in peak condition.
Timeline
1920s
In The Beginning
John M Munro Butchers was founded in 1922 as a family-run butcher shop in Conon Bridge. The business has since grown into one of the North of Scotland’s best-known butchers, with multiple retail stores and a modern abattoir and cutting plant in Dingwall.
1930s
First Van
At the end of 1929 John Munro took over his father’s butchers business in High Street, Conon Bridge, and started to develop what was to become Ross-shire’s foremost meat supplier for more than a century. He lived above the shop with his family and soon bought his first delivery van to replace the traditional horse-drawn machine largely unchanged today.
1940s
Meat Rationing
Wartime saw the introduction of meat rationing and the most unpopular cuts were boiling beef, mince and sausages. After the war the marketing drive was “Hotels and shooting lodges supplied at the shortest notice”.
1950s
Acquisition of Dingwall Shop and Launch of Wholesale Deliveries
John Munro acquired his second shop, taking over Mackay & Sons quality butcher and fishmonger in Dingwall’s High Street. The shop was originally open to the street with shutters raised for business each morning. The early 50’s brought the end of Government controls and saw the beginning of wholesale deliveries to other butchers, often by rail to Lairg and Kyle of Lochalsh.
1960s
Store Modernisation, Regional Deliveries, and New Abattoir Development
Windows replaced the open shutters in Dingwall where there were often ten staff serving behind the counter and regular queues onto the pavement. Wholesale van deliveries started to Skye, Lochcarron, Gairloch and Ullapool. Dingwall’s new abattoir was built in open countryside in Strathpeffer Road and the old trolley used for transporting sides of beef from Tulloch Street to High Street was finally laid to rest.
1970s
New Shops, Deep Freeze Showrooms, and Prestigious Supply Contracts
Additional shops appeared in Alness and Tain and new Deep Freeze Showrooms in Conon Bridge and Alness reflected the trend towards home freezing and bulk buying. Weekly deliveries started to London including the prestigious British Airways Concorde supply contract which ran for more than fifteen years. School meals contracts for much o Ross-shire and Inverness followed and the expansion of the Conon Bridge shop allowed more room to prepare hotel and restaurant orders.
1980s
Convenience Foods, Exotic Tastes, and Abattoir Acquisition
The changing face of the meat trade, the rise of supermarkets and changing eating habits led to the growth of convenience foods and ready meals. The humble steak pie was reborn, barbecues meant burgers, and holidaymakers returning from exotic places demanded exotic food. Dingwall abattoir was bought from the District Council and regular wholesaling to the south of Scotland began.
1990s
Expansion with Muir of Ord & Beauly Acquisitions and Centralised EEC-Standard Processing Facility
Walter McDonald’s shops in Muir of Ord and Beauly were added to the chain and catering, processing and wholesaling were centralised in our EEC-standard meat plant in Dingwall’s West End. The Nor-West wholesaling business was acquired which included contracts to supply Highland hospitals and several supermarkets. Food safety became the top priority, and standards were driven up both by legislation and customer demand. A new range of Scottish pickles, chutneys and sauces was introduced to compliment the natural flavours of fine Scottish meats. John M Munro Ltd joined the plastic revolution of accepting credit cards and Switch/Solo cards in shops. And our commitment to our staff was rewarded by recognition as an “Investor in People”.
2000 and Beyond
Continuous Improvement, Digital Expansion, and Community Commitment
Ongoing refurbishment and improvement of shops, continuous development of staff to keep pace with the best in the industry and an emphasis on creating “meal opportunities” to satisfy discerning customers. Our new website will give us a 24-hour virtual shop window with details of our product range and nationwide mail-order service. We will continue to provide apprenticeships for local young people and maintain our involvement in local communities. But the best features of our seventy-year history provide a vase for our plans for the next 70 years: prime quality products, competitive prices and the very best of service to the Ross-shire community.
