Sandy Mathieson, the former general manager of Aberdeen and Northern Marts who lived in Pitlochry for almost 40 years after retirement, has died aged 98.
A regular guest auctioneer at the bull sales in Perth, his whole working life was spent in and around the auction marts of North East Scotland.
He was well known in farming circles and did a lot of fundraising and community work while living in Aberdeen and Pitlochry.
Paying tribute, his son Stuart said: “He started out with very little, as did many in those days, but built a good life for his family.
“He was very generous with his free time and did what he could to help people and support good causes.”
Stuart described his dad as a “genuinely decent person”. He was an outgoing person and had a large circle of friends, both among the farming community and within the communities where he lived.
He added: “His work took him all over the North East and up as far as Orkney and Shetland and he forged strong relationships with local folks across the country.
“We’d often go on drives in the country at weekends and he seemed to know just about every farm and farmer in his patch.”
Sandy Mathieson started work young following death of his father
Born on December 23 1926 in Banff to Allan Cameron Mathieson and Olive Mathieson, Sandy spent his early years in Banff and Maud before moving to the Bucksburn and Woodside areas of Aberdeen.
He attended primary school at Bankhead in Bucksburn, then a few years of secondary school at Robert Gordon’s College.
His secondary education was curtailed – his father had died when he was six and his mum was left as the sole provider.
Sandy had to put education to one side and go out to work to help support the family – his mum Olive, brother Allan and step brother Robert.
His father had been an auctioneer with Reith & Anderson’s in Aberdeen and this is where he found work before Aberdeen and Northern Marts was formed in 1947.
He started there in 1941 working as an office boy before starting training as an auctioneer.
He finally took over as the general manager in 1977, a post he held until retiring in 1984.
A lifetime around auction marts
Sandy’s whole working life was spent in and around the auction marts.
In their early years, the auction team would travel out to marts across the North East to complete the regular sales held in local community marts.
They’d also regularly work Saturdays travelling out to farms to manage roups and general farm sales.
His work also took him further afield, valuing and auctioning timber and forestry assets for the then Forestry Commission.
Sandy was also a director of AMMCO (Aberdeen Meat Marketing Company) while he served as the marts general manager.
He was also actively involved with the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland, serving as chairman of the local branch.
Sandy’s 44 year career at the marts was only interrupted by two spells of National Service, initially towards the end of WWII.
He served with the REME based in Mersa Matruh in Egypt, then latterly in Jerusalem and Palestine.
His second call up was for the Korean War although he wasn’t involved in active service on that occasion.
How did Sandy meet his wife?
Sandy met his wife Kathleen (Kitty) Isabella Spence while they were both working for Reith and Anderson auctioneers.
They married on December 6 1952 at Kintore Parish Church.
After marrying they lived in Kingswells, Bucksburn and Aberdeen before moving to Pitlochry following his retirement where he enjoyed a long, active retirement.
He had three sons, Allan, Neil and Stuart, four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
He was very keen on education and encouraged all his boys into higher education – all three later graduating from Aberdeen University.
Graduation from university aged 66 and community figure in Pitlochry
Missing out on his early education was something he regretted, so during the early part of his retirement he undertook study with the Open University, graduating with an MA Hons degree at the age of 66.
Living in Pitlochry for nearly 40 years after retirement, he was involved with the bowling club, was treasurer for Arthritis Care, fundraised for the RNLI and was involved with Probus.
He also raised funds for the Pitlochry Senior Citizens group and helped drive the bus for them.
Son Stuart added: “That used to make me laugh – he used to say ‘I’m off to pick up the old dears to do their shopping’. He was over 80 at the time!
“The other one thing that always made us laugh was that he loved his garden. But generally what that meant was he loved seeing my mum doing it!
“One of his favourite phrases was ‘we’ll just have a seat a while’.
“That generally meant he’d sit and watch my mum, or John, his long time gardener and good friend, do the garden.”
Happy final years in Aberlour
Sandy’s latter few years were spent in Speyside Care Home in Aberlour, where he was very happy and well cared for.
Sandy died peacefully at the home on May 10 and is predeceased by his wife Kitty.
He is survived by his sons Allan, Neil and Stuart.
He was also father-in-law of Sally, Angey and Linda, and a proud and devoted grandad, great-grandad, brother, uncle and good friend to many.
A private funeral service will follow.
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