A stalwart of the Orkney Auction Mart has been made an MBE for his services to agriculture and to the rural community in Scotland.
John Copland said last night that he was “humbled but very chuffed” to be included in the New Year Honours list.
He was a senior figure steering the mart during turbulent times, including an amalgamation, as well as the BSE and foot-and-mouth outbreaks.
The mart had the first sale of cattle in Britain after the outbreak in 2001.
The 69-year-old, who served as manager for part of his half century at the mart, has also provided the commentary at Orkney County Show for 50 years.
He said: “I’ve done 50 years at the mart. I went to the mart in March 1969. It was Kirkwall Auction Mart which then amalgamated in Orkney to be Orkney Auction Mart.
“So I’ve been at the mart all my life. I’ve applied for one job in my life.”
New Year Honours: Orkney Auction Mart stalwart made an MBE
