Dig into the rich history of United Auctions’ Bull Sales and you will reveal a fascinating passage through Scotland’s agricultural timeline.
Ever since John Fraser sold 14 Shorthorn bulls for a total of 260 guineas in 1865 at Mill Street in Perth, the Fair City became a Mecca for the world’s stockmen.
There have been glory days aplenty ever since, but particularly within the 20-year period following the Second World War with film stars and ‘Stetsoned’ Americans all heading to the Fair City for the February sales.
The bull sales once at Perth, but now at Stirling are at heart a truly commercial affair, with farmer customers setting the trade as they seek out new sires for use on their pedigree or commercial cattle stock.
In celebration of the 150th year of the ‘Bull Sales’, The Courier looked to the DC Thomson and British Patharchives to reflect on some of the very best of Scottish farming yesteryear.
A considerable highlight in 1946 saw the sale of the Shorthorn bull Pittodrie Upright, consigned by Mr Laidlaw-Smith, of Pitcaple, for 14,500gns (equivalent to some £542,000 at current values, allowing for inflation).
“World record prices of every breed of cattle were knocked to smithereens at the Perth Shorthorn Show when an American cattle man paid £15,225 for champion bull Pittodrie Upright,” tells the Pathnewsreel from 1946 (press play on the video above).
“It was a breath-taking day and the famous beef-type Scottish Shorthorns proved themselves unbeatable.”
The black and black and white footage was captured on the streets of Perth, outside the Caledonian Road market, and indoors during that record breaking sale of Pittodrie Upright in 1946.
The newsreader explains amongst the exhibitors that year was ex-commando chief Lord Lovat.
“And buyers flocking from all over the world,” the reel continues, “is the finest evidence that British pedigree cattle are still the world’s finest.
“Among the winners was Lord Lovat’s Beaufort Broadcaster.”
It continues: “Life’s ambition of auctioneer Mr Lovat Fraser was to pass the five-figure mark.
“Bidding, stepping up in 500gns jumps soon smashed every record.
“Hero of the day, the bull worth £1 per ounce, 13-months old and measuring seven feet around the middle.
“Away overseas goes another product of the British Isles in this age of export.”
Further archive footage, filmed at Perth 68 years ago, is also available below:
Rebranded as the Stirling Bull Sales, in 2012, the flagship event for United Auctions now takes place at its new facility in the shadow of Stirling Castle. The Stirling Bulls Sales begin next week, on Monday, February 2nd.