Respected auctioneer presented with prestigious NSA Scotland award.

On Thursday 20th June 2024 at a packed Quality Meat Scotland industry breakfast reception NSA Scotland was honoured to highlight the work of NSA Scotland to highly esteemed attendees and present the 2024 NSA Scotland Silver Salver for outstanding contribution to the Scottish sheep industry. QMS Chief Executive Sarah Millar welcomed all attendees to the first day of the Royal Highland Show and following addresses from First Minister John Swinney and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands Mairi Gougeon, NSA Scotland Chairman Peter Myles was pleased to present the prestigious award to George Purves, Managing Director of United Auctions (pictured below).

NSA Scotland Chairman Peter Myles, comments, “George’s knowledge of the sheep industry is unsurpassed with a truly unrivalled work ethic. We are so pleased that his efforts have been recognised with this prestigious award and was presented with an equally renowned audience. All at NSA Scotland are delighted for him look forward to celebrating his future achievements. We would also like to take the opportunity to thank QMS for their hospitality at the Royal Highland Show and for their efforts in promoting Scotch lamb and the industry.”

Mr Purves has dedicated a lifetime of service to the Scottish sheep industry. Upon leaving school, he initially started his career with Wm Bosomworth and Sons (Edinburgh) with spells of time spent at Oliver and Son Ltd and John Swan and Sons Ltd before rising up the ranks to ultimately being appointed Managing Director of United Auctions in 2017.

George has been trusted by buyers and sellers alike with customers often leaving him to purchase their replacement breeding stock. His commitment has made Stirling Agricultural Centre one of the largest for prime sheep numbers in the country. Dealing with considerable numbers of sheep on a farm to farm basis, George has also built up a dedicated team of young auctioneers whilst providing his valuable mentoring services as they establish their careers – a true testament to his character.

Another flourishing brainwave has come in the form of the ‘Lamb for St Andrew’s Day’ initiative which was co-developed with Willie Mitchell and has greatly boosted lamb sales in the winter months at a time when supply is at its peak. The campaign to date has seen over 130,000 portions of Scotch Lamb donated to 65,000 school pupils across 600 Scottish schools with the help of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) and a variety of industry stakeholders. It is pivotal that the next generation is given the opportunity to experience the fabulous flavours of one of the nation’s highly celebrated quality nutritious and sustainable protein sources. It can be the first chance that Scotland’s young people have the chance to taste lamb and a vital opportunity to ensure they are well informed on the food they are consuming - certainly an experience that they will never forget.

George comments, “I am very humbled to receive this award, not just for myself but also for everyone else involved in the ambition to make lamb synonymous with St Andrews Day. Thanks must also go to the late Andrew Fairlie who developed the original recipe in 2010. My gratitude must also go to the many farmers who donate lambs on an annual basis through the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS) drive to help support and encourage every school pupil of the next generation to taste and enjoy the benefits of eating Scotch Lamb.”