Stirling’s agricultural community has bid farewell to George Scott who has fully retired from United Auctions after an astounding 72 years of dedicated service to agriculture.

George, 87, has been a cornerstone of livestock auctioneering in Scotland since he began working with the company at the Oban market in 1952 at the tender age of 15. At that time the market was owned by Thomas Corson and Sons Ltd, which was later amalgamated into Livestock Marts.

A few years later George moved to Stirling to work at the company’s town centre market at Seaforth Place and later transitioned to the newly built Kildean market in 1966 and then onto Stirling Agricultural Centre when it opened in 2009.

Over the decades, George has seen the agricultural industry undergo significant transformations and is known by generations of United Auctions’ customers and local farmers.

As fat stock officer for the company throughout the period of intervention, Scott managed the beef special premium scheme, which required diligent oversight of government administrative procedures. He retired as auctioneer’s clerk in 2001 but continued to assist with weekly sales until earlier this year, handling tasks such as stamping passports, telesales, and calculating Blackface tup averages.

Group director, Christopher Sharp, praised Scott’s dedication: “George is a committed, genuine person who was meticulous in his work and very modest. He was always there to offer support, advice and share his knowledge with the younger generation. Although his retirement is very well-deserved, his friendly presence will be greatly missed in the Agricultural Centre.

As a long-time supporter of Stirling Albion FC, Scott’s contribution to United Auctions was marked with a presentation at the Club with his son, grandson and members of staff with whom he worked over the years.