About Us
For four generations and almost 70 years, Donaldsons have been pushing the boundaries of innovation in the meats trade with many exciting new products, without losing sight of the traditional flavours and recipes that founded the business.
SINCE 1955
Donaldsons are the proud supplier of local Orkney hotels, cafés, guest houses and restaurants, as well as providing generations of Orcadians with the highest quality meat products.
In addition to supplying traditional butcher products, we at Donaldsons specialise in our own cured and smoked bacon and hams, sausages and puddings, and smoked and spiced Orkney farmed beef.
Our Awards
Our traditional Orkney haggis recipe has been winning awards since 1983, gaining a 3-star gold award at the 2016 Great Taste Awards. Donaldson’s hot smoked salmon won a Golden Fork for the Best Scottish Speciality Product at the 2012 Great Taste Awards, and is used in our smoked salmon pate, one of our best-selling products.
Our History
1955
Previously known as George Donaldson & Sons, the firm was established in 1955 by George Donaldson, the grandfather of two of the present partners, Ewan and Erik.
The company was originally based at 86 Victoria Street, where they also operated home deliveries and ran a mobile shop. The impact of supermarket shopping made both these services uneconomic, and the mobile shop was discontinued in the mid-seventies.
1982
Donaldsons moved to their present location at 38 Albert Street in 1982, when they took over “Porky” Horne’s shop – commemorated still in the form of their “Porky Horne’s”, one of the 16 varieties of sausages they make.
Extending back from the rear of the shop is the extensive processing area, which was re-equipped and brought completely up to date eight years later.
1995
Then, in 1995, customers noticed a big change when the shop was totally refurbished along modern lines, with new, transparent refrigerated counters.
2003
After a fire closed the shop for three months in 2003, the shop was re-opened as a self-service business in December of that year.
2006
Then, finally, in 2006, a dedicated smoking room and chills were added above the shop to complete the upgrading of the whole site.
2012
In early 2012, two long-time employees, Justin Hay and Darren Dearness, were welcomed into the partnership.