One of Scotland’s longest-serving auctioneers is to step out of the rostrum in the Autumn.
Donald Morrison of United Auctions will relinquish the selling aspect of his role serving the West Coast of Scotland, almost 45 years to the day since he started in the sale ring aged just 17 years old.
His last time in the rostrum for Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers will take place on Friday 28 September 2018 on Islay.
However, crofters and farmers on the Islands, Dalmally and at Oban Mart will be pleased to know that Donald will be continuing with all his other roles and will still be their main operational contact for the West Coast sales.
The existing team of auctioneers, comprising Raymond Kennedy, Peter Wood, Ross Fotheringham, Derek Anderson and Richard Close, will conduct all the sales from September.
Donald Morrison, who has not yet reached retirement age, said: “The milestone of 45 years seems like a good time to hang up the gavel and step out of the box to let the next generation in. The team has been working together for a while now as part of the Company’s succession planning, so it will essentially be business as usual for our customers at the sales.”
He continued: “I’m often asked how long it takes to train as an auctioneer and the answer is: a lifetime. You’re never fully-fledged, there’s something new to learn every day because as farming changes, we have to change and adapt. I don’t think you can ever know it all. That’s why I’m looking forward to still being involved with the sales without being the man in the box, so I can, probably, enjoy it more – and keep learning.”
George Purves, Managing Director of United Auctions, said: “Donald has worked tirelessly for nearly half a century on behalf of the crofters and farmers in the West Coast of Scotland. As an Islander himself, he inherently understands the needs of the community, how the area works and will continue to add to his impressive legacy.”
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Issued by JK Consultancy on behalf of United Auctions. For further information, please contact Jenny Kumar on 07989557198 / jenny@jkconsultancy.com
Notes to editor
About United Auctions
United Auctions 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 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.
