Donald Butchers - A. Donald Ltd.

16/05/2026

Huge thanks to our customer Kyle West, who brought these in after finding them in brochures amongst his Gran’s belongings - she was also a life long customer. I’m sure Kyle said they are from 1978.

At first I laughed at the “new laid eggs”, funny way of putting it.

But then I noticed the Schools an Canteens supplied. I always knew we supplied schools but it never really made me think about that more deeply until now.

Can you imagine your child sitting down to a meal, in the middle of the day, with meat that’s just been prepared fresh that day - or the day before. Not weeks ago - that’s then been frozen for storage/transport. All the nutrients still intact. No preservatives (unless it’s sausages or the like). Prepared locally by their parent’s friend or even a family member - who wants to ensure these kids are getting the best fuel, so they can learn to the best of their ability. Produce paid for at a fair price. That in turn helps to pay the family friend their wage so they can then send their kids to the local dance school….and so on…

Instead we have local councils who dictate that these establishments MUST use a procurement system. Which by the way, is broken! At least for food. As a teacher, I’ve worked under frustrated Line Managers who are left paying over £4 for a melon etc. which then turn up rotten. These companies know they are the council employees only options and it turns into a bit of profiteering. I would honestly put money on it, that councils could save millions a year if they removed this system and went back to local sourcing, and trusting their employees to spend the money appropriately. The cynic in me also thinks these companies are sometimes pals of the council big wigs.

Big up Quality Meat Scotland (QMS)who give high schools vouchers every year to use in local Butchers! Free meat for the school, a sale for the butcher. 🖤

How did we get to the point where we are getting it so wrong!

Anyway. I love all these old things - really makes me happy. Given that we have 116 years behind us, there must be more where that came from. So if you ever find anything. We’d love to see it.

22/02/2026

A little update on our fundraising for Kevin. Incase you missed it Kevin has been diagnosed with a rare, genetically inherited, Muscular Dystrophy.

It is a life limiting illness which can range from mild to severe symptoms. Our beautiful children have a 50% chance of inheriting this from their Dad. It’s expected to be more severe, and show earlier in each generation.

We are fundraising to support the team at Glasgow University, who are carrying out world leading research into this disease which will ensure that treatments in development are successful - there are currently none!

We are so grateful to our customers who have already donated and are going out of their way to help us fundraise.

🖤💚

“We have updated our fundraising goal to £10,000!!

You may, or may not know that we are at £7100!

We’ve had a very generous donation of £5k and we’re just waiting to find out if that person wishes to be named before we pop it over.

We also have our lovely friend Peter Murphy who is donating the profits from one of his comedy shows. The amazing Linda Menzies who is doing the kilt walk - as she does every year - with her friend. The ladies have chosen to fundraise for Kevin this year. Forever grateful to you both.

My sister and I have an event in the works - and I’ve been thinking up something for rare disease day at the end of the month. Hopefully all this combined helps get us to 10k.

Last week we got to meet the whole team who are working on ensuring that we understand everything about this disease so that the treatments in development are successful. They are an incredibly talented bunch and it was humbling knowing they’re dedicating their lives to finding a cure for Kevin, our kids, family members and everyone else living with this.

Interestingly. We know that there are many more people undiagnosed - living with this and having no idea. However, the Glasgow Uni team believe that in a few generations time, this is going to become a much bigger problem, there are already communities where 1 in 500 people have been diagnosed! We need awareness to prevent this from happening and ultimately a cure.

There is currently NO KNOWN TREATMENT for this condition. Although we did get some uplifting news - which I’ll share in another post.

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated thus far. We are truly appreciative for everything - words of support and encouragement, stories of similar journeys, just asking how we are and the constant reminders of the people who are here for us. 💚”

Iʼm raising money to help fund vital research into Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

10/02/2026

We’ve got you sorted for Valentines. ❤️🥩❤️

07/02/2026

03/02/2026

Come join us. 🖤

30/01/2026

⭐️Job Availability ⭐️

We have a postion available for a Saturday counter assistant in our ever growing Hyndland shop.

Details of the job are shown below - this is suited best to an S6 pupil, moving onto further education, who can stay with us long term, or a person already in further education who can be flexible during long summer breaks, picking up more shifts to cover holiday’s and perhaps during the week - if off timetable.

Having said that, it’s not a must but we do require someone who can be flexible on the hours they can work.

16/01/2026

Kevin, and some of his family memebers, have recently been diagnosed with a currently incurable, Muscular Dystrophy.

Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 is a systemic condition that affects muscles below the elbows, knees, head and neck. It also can cause issues with internal muscles such as the heart, lungs and oesophagus.

The most devastating thing about this is that his three children each have a 50% chance of inheriting the faulty gene. With the condition getting 50% worse in each generation. 💔

It’s estimated 1 in 8000 have been diagnosed with this but it’s thought that 1 in 2000, are living with it as the symptoms can be mild and excused as something else.

He is beginning his fundraising journey to try to help fund a treatment/cure.

If you feel you can support him in this he would be very, very grateful. He’s got lots of ideas in the works for things he can do to raise awareness and funds.

Iʼm raising money to help fund vital research into Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

31/12/2025

Well we made it!

I have to say that I have found that the toughest one yet - physically, I’m exhausted. Definitely getting old! 😂 What has to be said here though is this is the busiest we’ve ever been.

Hyndland- what can I say. It’s only taken you 5 years but you’re on Uddingston’s coattails. Next year, you might even beat us. So proud of you , that’s all you and your magic! You’ve built an amazing wee shop for people to visit, with a fantastic team to boot.

What a team we have around us overall. We genuinely could not do it without this lot. They work hard day in, day out but at this time of the year, they are just outstanding. All with a smile on their faces.

Huge thanks this year to who stepped out of her comfort zone (the office) to help out in Hyndland’s shop floor. To for his guest appearances - you’ve no idea how much this took the pressure off this year. It’s like you’ve never been away. Then there’s my girl - what would I do without you. My right hand woman.

All of you, from production, counter staff, butchers, drivers. Kevin and I are so grateful for you. You help us carry on the Donald’s and my Uncle Marshall’s legacy for the next generation.

115 Christmas’ down - Forever to go. 🖤

27/12/2025

We made the list! 😁

Our order books are closed for this year but we have been working extra hard this year and will have PLENTY spares on a first come first served basis. Just pop into store and pick one up on the 30th or 31st.

There are some top butchers in the city, all offering their own take on the classic New Year's dish, so we contacted some of them to check on availability and opening times.