After dedicating his lifetime’s work to Newtown St Boswells auction mart, auctioneer Billy Stott is very much a part of the mart’s fixtures and fittings, celebrating 50 years in service. We take a look back on his career.
Billy’s knowledge of the farms and farmers in the Scottish Borders is second to none, and through his strength as a people person, Billy has established himself as one of the most respected and renowned auctioneers in Scotland. After turning 68 this year and reaching retirement, despite hanging up his hammer to make way for the next generation, Billy has decided to stay on at Newtown St Boswells sourcing livestock and liaising with customers, remaining an integral part of the daily operations.
In marking this milestone, Scott Donaldson, Managing Director at Harrison & Hetherington said: “Billy’s assistance in the transition from the previous John Swan & Sons business to Harrison & Hetherington Ltd in 2015 was invaluable, his enthusiasm and commitment to St Boswells Mart was unerring. His ability to maintain contact with customers is second to none and he has proved to be a great schoolmaster to the next generation.
“Despite achieving this incredible milestone, Billy has expressed his wish to remain involved and he will continue to play a vital part in his role as an ambassador, attending sale days and maintaining those key relationships with our customers.”
“I am not alone in holding Billy in the highest regard,” says Will Hamilton, Vice Chair of the Board for H&H Group, when speaking of Billy, “In his understated way, the work ethic, sense of decency and professionalism that he has shown have made such a valuable contribution to the Newtown St Boswells operation.”
Growing up in Selkirk, where he remains today with his wife Janette, Billy took on the role as office clerk with John Swan & Sons immediately after leaving school. He first walked through the doors as a fresh-faced 18-year-old on Monday 3rd July 1972 after an 8.4 mile cycle to work.
Working between Newtown St Boswells and Gorgie auction markets, he moved on to auctioneering, “Back then every farm had livestock, so auctions were huge. I started off selling pigs, calves, stirks, and poultry, and then went on to prime lambs and cattle,” recalls Billy. “Gorgie was the biggest centre for prime cattle and prime lambs, and St Boswells strength was store and suckled calf sales.”
In his early days, Billy was mentored and helped by many people. In particular, he notes Peter Rutherford and Roderick McAlpine at Newtown St Boswells, and Robin Calder and Jimmy Carmichael at Gorgie who all helped and inspired him immensely.
Billy says: “Peter was a very able and experienced auctioneer at St Boswells, especially with Saturday sales of ewe lambs, whilst Roderick was a pro at selling big volumes of store lambs. At Gorgie, Robin was a very quiet man but knew the trade in East Lothian inside out, and Jimmy was probably the best Suffolk auctioneer I came across, who always looked to the future. All of them supported me in so many ways and helped me to forge my career as an auctioneer. One piece of advice I have always followed is that you are only as good as your last deal!”
There have, of course, been highs and lows throughout Billy’s career. One of his highlights was around 20 years ago when he sold 100 fat cattle to the same butcher in one sale. Another was the introduction of the non-registered Suffolk ring at the infamous Kelso Ram Sales.
One of his darkest moments was when friend and fellow auctioneer, David MacKenzie was tragically killed in a road traffic accident. Billy also recalls the devastation of the Foot and Mouth outbreak and the loss of several small abattoirs which had a huge impact on the industry and the supply chain.
Newtown St Boswells mart was taken over by Harrison & Hetherington in 2015, and Billy has remained an invaluable member of the team. He found the takeover, and amalgamating with his new colleagues, very easy, and has especially enjoyed visiting and seeing how different markets such as Borderway, Lockerbie, and Kirkby operated.
“Being an auctioneer is a people’s business. I have met some wonderful people during the last 50 years, and I am very grateful to all the butchers, wholesalers, farmers, and haulage friends and colleagues that I’ve met along the way. I couldn’t have done it without them – auctioneering really is a team effort!”
“What is fantastic is that the next generation of auctioneers are continuing to drive the business forward,” continues Billy. “One of my greatest personal pleasures is seeing our successors coming through; from stepping through the door on their first day at work to making their mark and progressing within the company. When I first started out, I had some fantastic people mentoring me, helping me get to where I am today, and I hope that I can pass this support on to those coming into the industry.
“Special mention must go to the late Laurie Stoddart of A.K. Stoddart and Jim Robertson of Forth Meats for standing by the prime cattle sales at the start of my career, also to Doug Bell for leaving Lanark to start buying prime cattle, cows, lambs and ewes at St Boswells, Isaac Ford for the prime cattle, cows and ewes, J Allan of Malcolm Alan & Sons, and Malones of Edinburgh. A big thank you must also go to the hundreds of other people who have helped me throughout the years – there’s far too many to mention!”
Never too old to learn something new, Billy’s attention now turns to grasping new technology and polishing his computer skills, for which he has the tremendous support of the all-female team in the office at St Boswells. He will be the voice at the end of the phone to support and assist customers and will continue to source livestock for future sales, so whilst you might not see him behind the rostrum, he won’t be far away!