WAITING FOR big news in the auctioneering trade in Scotland has been like waiting for a Glasgow bus – you wait for ages, then two come along at once.

The first big shake-up to get the gavels rattling was the ground-shaking news that a woman had been given a major position in a livestock auction house. Jings, crivvens help ma Boab.

That was when Primrose Dunbar moved from UA Stirling to Lawrie and Symington at Lanark. So, fresh competition has been joined.

The latest revelation from the trade is that Oban Mart will have a new operator later this year.

It's been a while since some sabre-rattling Argyllshire farmers vowed never to 'let UA darken our door again'. But it just goes to show what two decades can move people and businesses on.

This is a much different operation from that which left the Argyllshire capital bereft of an auction house. Time and business needs move on and there is nowhere that needs a lively livestock mart that that one.

I have no doubt that hard business decisions were at the back of this decision by the Oban Livestock Company. Money is precious in those parts and, as they say, 'every little helps'.

Again, what was healthy was the fact that at least five operators showed an interest in running the Oban operation, including the second last bidder, C and D Auctions, of Longtown.

I believe it was a hard won contest that favoured UA by a hairs-breadth. Both companies had lots to offer, but it might have been the 'bright young things' at UA that swung the balance. Time will tell.

The good news was, that the competition was fierce – and all of us in this industry should never be afraid of competition. It drives innovation and change and I hope our readers notice a little bit of that in this newspaper this week ... and from now on.