SHAREHOLDERS of Oban Livestock Company have been denied the opportunity to hear plans of what, it is claimed, would have been a unique opportunity to turn Oban mart into a vibrant livestock centre for Argyll and island farmers.

George Pirie, who took part in the tendering process to take charge of Oban, and who runs major antique stores in Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire – with a new one opened in Edinburgh recently – said he felt the OLC shareholders have been kept in the dark about his plans to revamp the Oban operation.

The tender to operate Oban Livestock Centre has been awarded to United Auctions at the expense of the current operators Caledonian Marts and is expected to be rubber-stamped by the 500 shareholders at the OLC agm next Tuesday, May 30.

Mr Pirie told The Scottish Farmer: “Along with some of my advisors we gave a presentation in front of the OLC directors which I felt went incredibly well with a positive feedback from them at the time.

“We explained in details our plans which I believe would have made Oban mart a centre of excellence, with this new auction company being based at Oban, running regular livestock sales, machinery sales, furniture sales, rare breed sales and other related agricultural events.

“Although I am not an auctioneer, I come with an experienced team and come from an established livestock farming background in Aberdeenshire," said Mr Pirie. "I was also personally responsible for the purchase and resurrection of a large Highland estate near Kingussie on behalf of clients.

“I feel the OLC shareholders have been denied a unique opportunity to hear what we were planning, which I believe would have been a morale booster for farmers in Argyll and the islands as we intended having more face to face contact with farmers in the community. We were offering something different to the other contenders to run the mart," he insisted.

"We have no conflicting interests and would not be operating Oban mart as a satellite offshoot. Had we been given the chance, Euan Emslie would have been given the manager's role alongside the current Oban manager Ronnie McCormack. I had three independent auctioneers with years of experience lined-up to come in ad-hoc to start and it was explained that ultimately I would be employing a full time auctioneer based in Argyll.

“Traditionally Oban mart had a thriving west to east/south coast trade, with sheep and cattle moving across for finishing and with my east coast connections I believe this could have been resurrected," he added.

“Given the background of the other contenders, I was under no illusion that we had a difficult task, but the thing that really irks is the fact that the shareholders were not made aware of our existence, and feel it is a shame that they have not been given the opportunity to look at the options we were offering.

“And to rub salt into the wounds, I only heard we were not on the short leet on social media and then a couple of days later in a short telephone call from the OLC chairman, and which is still to be confirmed either in writing or by e-mail.

"I think a unique opportunity for the farming community of Argyll has been lost," said Mr Pirie. "The best we can hope for now is that the shareholders ask to see all the tender presentations submitted from all the interested parties.”

OLC chairman Duncan Buchanan commented: “Mr Pirie didn’t receive word of our decision which was a genuine mistake on our part for which I have since apologised to him.

“Prior to the tendering presentation I explained to Mr Pirie’s representative that we were looking for an established livestock auctioneering company to take charge at Oban. At his presentation he couldn’t name an auctioneer. His attitude following the outcome is completely different to others we have spoken to.

“The final decision between UA and Longtown was very close,” added Mr Buchanan.