Tag Archives: Dalmally Auction Mart

Miss Scotland Dalmally13

Miss Scotland joins ringside bidding at Dalmally Mart

Miss Scotland, Ellie McKeating, entered into the ringside spirit at Dalmally Mart on Saturday (September 13th) when she joined in the bidding at the United Auctions’ sale.

Miss McKeating who is getting to know Scotland’s livestock sector better in her role as ambassador for Scotch Lamb with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), created quite a stir at United Auctions’ biggest Annual Show and Sale of Blackface Lambs in recent years.

Clearly enjoying the buzzing atmosphere of a packed ringside at the sale, which had an entry of some 8000 lambs and feeding sheep, Miss Scotland successfully bid (on behalf on an undisclosed buyer) for a cheviot cross lamb from seller Stuart Galbraith of Barachander Farm, near Loch Awe.

The visit to one of Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers’ facility was part of Miss McKeating’s induction to the market system. It follows a number of engagements in recent weeks, including joining farmers across Scotland at sampling events during the recent “Love Scotch Lamb Weekend”, organised by QMS, NFU Scotland and the National Sheep Association.

And as she toured the bustling Dalmally market, Miss McKeating spoke with UA customers from Crieff, Crianlarich and Oban about their stock and was stopped for selfies by a trio of younger Oban farmers below (l-r Callum Leith, Blair Menzies and Ross Ferguson) who were selling at the bumper event.

Miss Scotland Dalmally26 medres

Miss McKeating said: “Many thanks to the United Auctions’ team and the farmers I met for making me feel so welcome. Having never been to a livestock auction market before it was great to learn about this traditional system and Dalmally Mart’s importance to livestock producers and the rural community in such a big area. On thing which came through very strongly was the pride the farmers and auctioneers take in the quality of the livestock and stockmanship skills in this part of Scotland.”

She went on to present the James Weir Memorial Trophy for the championship pen of Blackface Lambs to three generations of the Buchanan family of Achnaba Farm, Oban, including Archie Buchanan, his daughter Morag MacCorquodale, husband Donald and their son Donnie.

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The Buchanans also achieved the top price of £62.50 for their championship pen bought by Judge Bill Cameron from Keith in Aberdeen.

Miss Scotland also enjoyed a Scotch Lamb burger, courtesy of the marts’ café, at the end of her visit.

Peter Wood, UA’s auctioneer for the west of Scotland, said: “We were delighted to welcome Ellie to Dalmally. She brought an extra buzz to the place and made a very good sale in which sellers were up on the year even better.”

Miss Scotland Dalmally07 medres

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Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com

Notes to editor

  • Pic caption (Miss Scotland Dalmally 7):Miss Scotland channels her inner Bo Peep at Dalmally.

About United Auctions

United Auctions (UA) are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services. In 2013, UA was named in the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’.

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Miss Scotland to make market ‘debut’ at Dalmally

Miss Scotland, Ellie McKeating, is set to visit her first ever livestock sale when she attends Dalmally Mart next week.

United Auctions will welcome Miss McKeating to their Annual Show and Sale of around 6000 Cross Bred and Blackface Wedder Lambs and Feeding Sheep on Saturday, September 13th, 2014.

The visit to one of Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers’ important facility in the west, will form part of Miss McKeating’s induction to the industry in her role as a “Lambassador”, supporting Quality Meat Scotland’s ongoing promotion activities behind Scotch Lamb.

Miss McKeating has been meeting with farmers to learn more about the industry and the stockmanship skills involved in sheep farming and also took part in Scotch Lamb sampling events around the country during Love Scotch Lamb Weekend (August 23rd and 24th).

During her visit, Miss McKeating will experience the market system first-hand at the ringside, meet farmers from Argyll and the islands and view the quality livestock on offer before presenting the James Weir Memorial Trophy for the best pen of Blackface lambs.

Ellie McKeating, who was crowned Miss Scotland in May 2014, said: “I’m really looking forward to speaking to the farmers at my first market visit, seeing the livestock and learning more about where our wonderful Scotch Lamb comes from.”

Donald Morrison, Area Managing Director for Argyll and the Islands said: “We’re pleased to welcome Miss Scotland to Dalmally in what will be a strong line-up of top quality stock going through the mart. We’re looking ahead to a busy season of sales with the tup sale and calf sale in October so it’s a great introduction to the industry and particularly the west of Scotland.”

Auctioneer for the West of Scotland, Peter Wood said: “It’s great that Miss McKeating’s visit is highlighting the essential part that Dalmally plays in the area and I’m sure that she’ll enjoy the drama of the sale ring.”

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Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com

 Notes to editor

  • Picture caption: Ellie McKeating, Miss Scotland, in a Scotch Lamb branded dress.
  • The James Weir Memorial Trophy was introduced in 2010 to honour the late leading livestock auctioneer. Donated by Mrs Weir in memory of her husband, it is an annual prize at the sale to mark Jimmy’s involvement and passion for the area and the mart.

 

About United Auctions

United Auctions (UA) are Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists and operate a network of different auction markets across Scotland, including Stirling, Huntly, Lairg, Dalmally, Tiree, Islay, South Uist and an area office and lairage facility at Oban. The company conducts auctions of both commercial and pedigree livestock, including the world-famous Stirling Bull Sales, and provides farm-to-farm and farm-to-abattoir procurement services. In 2013, UA was named in the London Stock Exchange’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’.

Jimmy Weir Memorial Trophy

UA introduces Jimmy Weir memorial trophy at Dalmally

(See end for press coverage)

United Auctions’ (UA’s) Annual Show and Sale of Cross and Blackface lambs saw the inaugural presentation of the Jimmy Weir Memorial Trophy on Saturday 11 September 2010 at Dalmally Auction Mart.

The silver trophy honours the late leading livestock auctioneer who sadly died in March this year. It was donated by Mrs Weir in memory of her husband and will be an annual prize at the sale to mark Jimmy’s involvement and passion for the area and the mart.

Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers sold more than 6000 Cross Bred and Blackface Wedder Lambs and Feeding Sheep at the sale, which opened the season for the breed.

M/s A&M Buchanan, Achnaba, Connel won the Memorial Trophy for the best pen of Blackface lambs in a presentation made by Mrs Betty Weir.

The Blackface Sheep Breeders Association sponsored the sale and awarded the champion rosette to the Buchanan family in addition to the new cup.

Jimmy was a great ambassador for the agricultural sector with a career spanning almost 50 years.

He trained and worked at Speedie Bros in Cupar and Stirling and in 1966 moved to Kildean, Stirling until he retired in 1992 as Managing Director of UA. Jimmy specialised in the sale of store and prime sheep and, as a recognised leading arbiter, was involved in many sheep stock valuations throughout the country.

He had a very special affection for the Dalmally area, where he received much acclaim for developing the quality of stock.

Donald Morrison, Area Managing Director for Argyll and the Islands, said: “It’s absolutely right that this special and long-lasting tribute is made to Jimmy at such a significant sale in the mart in which he was so well-respected and admired.

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Notes to Editor

  • Picture caption: (L-R) Keith Webster (Judge), winners Morag Buchanan & son Donald of A&M Buchanan, Mrs Betty Weir with the memorial trophy and John McPherson of the Blackface Sheep Breeders Association.
  • The judge was Mr Keith Webster of Markethill, Cupar Angus

Issued by JK Consultancy Ltd on behalf of United Auctions. For further information and photographs please contact: Jenny Kumar on 07989 557198 or jenny@jkconsultancy.com

Press coverage:

The Press & Journal, 13 September 2010

Oban Times, 16 September 2010

The Scottish Farmer, 17 September 2010

Stirling Observer, 17 September 2010