A kenspeckle figure in north-east agriculture, Melvin Dalgarno, has died at the age of 88.
He became well-known and highly respected as an auctioneer with Aberdeen and Northern Marts for 41 years, starting as an auction clerk at Turriff in 1945 and managing marts at Insch, Aboyne, Torphins and Alford, before becoming general manager based at the Central Mart, Kittybrewster, Aberdeen.
Mr Dalgarno was a figure noted for conducting sales, farm roups and valuations with great efficiency, diplomacy and humour and was always ready to give his customers any assistance required.
He was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland and although he took early retirement in 1986, he played a prominent role in the early planning of the new mart at Thainstone.
He joined the mart at Turriff on leaving school. National Service was carried out at Edinburgh Castle, after which he returned to the mart to become an auctioneer at Insch. In 1952, he married local farmer’s daughter, Gladys Booth, to whom he was devoted. He also served as an elder at the Howe Trinity Parish Church, Alford.
Away from work, his passion was golf and at his peak he succeeded in getting his handicap down to eight.
He is survived by his wife, who also lives at Muirhead, four sons; Colin, Gordon, Neil and Stewart, daughters-in-law, Julie, Margaret and Laura, four grandchildren; Alasdair, Catherine, Larissa and Stephanie, nephew, Graeme, and niece, Norma, and was predeceased by his sister, Sheila.