One of Scotland’s longest-serving auctioneers, Donald Morrison of United Auctions, is stepping out of the rostrum, almost 45 years to the day since he started in the sale ring, aged just 17 year.

Mr Morrison will relinquish the selling aspect of his role serving the West Coast of Scotland, on Friday, September 28, on Islay when he will be in the rostrum for the last time. He will however be continuing with all his other roles and will remain the main operational contact for the Islands, Dalmally and Oban.

Auctioneers, Raymond Kennedy, Peter Wood, Ross Fotheringham, Derek Anderson and Richard Close, will conduct all sales from September onwards.

Mr 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.”