‘Much-admired’ painting up for auction in support of charity

For Blackface breeders, the sale of more than 1,200 shearlings, rams and ram lambs at Dalmally mart usually provides enough excitement for one day.

Next Saturday, however, United Auctions will sell a “much-admired” original oil painting of a market day at the centre in support of Scotland’s rural charity, RSABI.

Market Day At Dalmally has been donated by Alan Watson, former managing director of United Auctions, who was presented with the painting on his retirement from the company by colleagues and staff almost 20 years ago.

Mr Watson was based in Stirling where he sold fat and store sheep and later covered the west of Scotland and the islands, selling at Tarbert, Strachur, Fort William and Lochgilphead.

He said: “I’ve enjoyed a long and happy career and have been very privileged to be sent to such wonderful places across Scotland for work, and get paid for it.

“The painting has been much admired by everyone who has seen it in my home for almost 20 years, so much so that 10 signed prints were issued. This is my small way of repaying a debt to the farming community for the living I had from them.”

The painting is by the late John Prentice, a retired Perthshire businessman who was known to the farming community for his portrait of veteran Stirlingshire farmer Jim McEwan, and a Blackface tup, which went on special display at the Highland Show in 1998.

RSABI trustee David Leggat, former executive chairman of United Auctions, said: “It is typically generous of Alan to give such a treasured item to raise money that will allow RSABI to assist people who have depended on the land.”

The painting will go under the hammer of auctioneer Raymond Kennedy at 9.50am.

Market Day At Dalmally is being auctioned in aid of RSABI.