A Fife mobile chippy boss who served fish suppers and Irn Bru to Prince Albert of Monaco is hanging up his apron for good.
Anstruther-based Murray Cameron – of Murray’s Chippy fame – swapped the East Neuk streets for Monte Carlo three times to dish out fish and chips in the millionaires’ playground.
And he revealed his royal customer enjoyed both red AND brown sauce with his meal.
Murray and wife Irene drove the 1,370 miles to Monaco in their van, which normally serves hungry Fifers in Lundin Links, Ceres, St Monans and Elie.
And he even took his own tatties because “it’s not every potato that makes a good chip”.
The 57-year-old has been dining out on his experience ever since.
And he even goes to care homes and primary schools to share his story, as well as other tales of life in a chippy.
But the former Anstruther fisherman has finally decided to reel in his 32-year adventure.
And he is selling his van so he can spend more time with his family – and watch more football.
“It’s been amazing and I’ve made lots of friends,” he said.
“But the Monaco trips were especially great.”
Murray’s Chippy serves hundreds of customers every week
Murray initially thought he was the victim of a right royal wind-up when he first got the call to go to Monaco.
However, it really was a PR woman calling on behalf of Prince Albert.
And she wanted Murray’s Chippy to serve the deep-fried Scottish delicacy at a prestigious whisky convention.
“There were only two fish and chip vans suitable for what they needed and we were the only people who passed security checks,” Murray said.
While the couple initially found the experience nerve-racking, they soon got into the swing of the posh event.
“We served 297 people in Monaco that first year in 2013 and they were all mesmerised by how we managed it,” said Murray.
“Prince Albert really likes his Irn Bru!”
And while they proved popular with their Mediterranean customers, those living by the Firth of Forth are just as keen.
The biggest queue we ever had was 272 people. I counted them.”
Murray Cameron, of Murray’s Chippy.
Murray and Irene peeled and chopped four huge bags of spuds a week for their chips when they started in 1990.
But they now get through 30 and people are queueing up to sample the results.
“There are hundreds of customers and the school children I used to serve now have children of their own,” said Murray.
“We were particularly busy during lockdown because we were serving outside so it worked fine.
“We used to serve in Pittenweem during the arts festival and the biggest queue we ever had was 272 people. I counted them.
“We just had to keep our heads down and get on with it.”
Life after Murray’s Chippy
And the Murray’s Chippy van – now plastered in media coverage of the Monaco trips – has become a real family affair.
Over the years, Murray and Irene have been joined at the serving hatch by daughters Nicola and Natalie and son Robert.
And it’s for family reasons that they want to hand over the keys to the fryer.
“I’d like to take my grandchildren to the football on a Saturday instead of making fish and chips,” said Murray.
“I need to sell the van before I retire but it’s just become time.
“I’m going to do a spot of fishing and get my fitness levels up.”
And he laughed: “I also enjoy horse racing but that’s a story for another day.”
Conversation