John A Neil – former president of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers of Scotland

Born at Kilmarnock, in Ayrshire, he learnt his craft at various locations and auction marts around Scotland, finishing his career in Castle Douglas, where he ran a very successful valuation business which was later taken over by Davidson and Robertson Rural.

Educated at Crossroads Primary School from 1950 to 1957, then Glaisnock House Senior Secondary, Cumnock, John left school in 1960 and worked at Aird, the family farm for the next six years.

It was during this period that John met his wife to be, Margaret Wilson. He was also afflicted by ailments brought on by the farm's 'dust and stoor' and so, in 1966, on his 21st birthday, he secured a position mentored by Robert Brydon, of Oliver and Son, Edinburgh, as a trainee auctioneer at the princely sum of £250 per annum.

The next day, his father bought him a second-hand Ford Anglia 950cc car. He was, in his own words 'like a dog with two tails – my very own car.' It was an interest that never waned over the years and his cars were always immaculate, including when he was much younger buying a 20/25 Rolls Royce Taxi, along with his late friend, Jack Dunlop, for the princely sum of £35!

He recalled that they were banned from entering the YF wheel changing competition, as with a jack in each corner it could be done in under F1 timing. He retained the 'Flying Lady' mascot, together with a silver plate tankard given to him by Jack for his 21st, still with the original JW Black Label nip in it.

John was due to start work in Edinburgh on the Monday and at 6.15am that morning, in the yard at Aird, his father – standing with a calf bucket in his hand – extolled the virtues of life to John and explained it would take a lifetime to make a reputation but he could lose it in a moment.

He urged him to always be straight and honest: “Nothing is for nothing. Somewhere there’s a price. An invoice called experience. A label called advice.”

Later, arriving in Edinburgh in good time, he met with Mr Brydon, who showed him around the market. Arriving back in No 1 ring, Mr Brydon looked up at the wall and asked John: “Can you see anything?” “Yes, a clock,” he replied.

“That’s right,” said Mr Brydon. “Don’t let me catch you looking at it!”

John moved on from Edinburgh near the end of 1969 to Wooler Livestock Auction Mart, which proved a great experience for him, making many lifelong relationships.

In 1971, he was admitted as an associate of the IAAS – towards the end of that year, John and Margaret moved to Castle Douglas – and he was made a fellow in 1975.

In November, 1973, the couple were married after 10 years of courtship. Unable to buy the house which was a condition of his employment, they left Castle Douglas in the spring of 1976 for a small 'sabbatical' in Edinburgh with Bosomworths.

Later that year, he started work at Caledonian Marts, Stirling, moving to the village of Thornhill, Stirling. Many happy memories and new friendships were made in Thornhill.

Returning to Castle Douglas in July, 1982, John bought Woodlands, in November, of that year and worked happily at Wallets Mart until 1995 when, one week before his 50th birthday, he resigned from Wallets Mart as a result of in-fighting with the board and a few directors during a turbulent time as he had agreed with an offer by James Craig to purchase Wallet’s Mart PLC.

Just 10 day’s later, he started as an auctioneer and valuer in his own right, which became a rewarding and enlightening experience for him. He was more that qualified to act for the benefit of many farmers affected by huge infrastructure projects in the area for pipelines and roads.

In 1996/97, he took on the position of junior vice-president of the IAAS before becoming president from 1998 to 2000 – the only president to have taken up this post as an independent. In 2008, he was awarded The Scottish Farmer 'Professional Adviser of the Year' trophy.

He sold his business to Davidson and Robertson in 2010, on his 65th birthday, remaining a consultant until he became ill.

John took great delight in his garden and it was meticulously kept, with the same kind of precision that had won him many friends and clients in the farming industry.

His chosen tipple was a Johnnie Walker Black Label and he was known to carry a bottle in the boot of the car for when on an overnight stay. If the 'tavern' didn't stock it, he then sold it to them at cost before buying it back across the counter at pub rates. It was either that, or a glass of milk!

For his funeral, he had bravely penned his own farewell and in his own inimitable style, beseeching the local funeral parlour, run by Ian and Kimberly Bendall, for a discount!

A 'social' shot at local shoots, he was also a member of the Pisscadors Fishing Club for 34 years – a mixed bunch of partial anglers. He very much enjoyed their outings, particularly the annual one to Knoydart, recalling a famous incident where the assembled angling crew travelled the 4½ miles up a not too smooth road to the Loch an Dubh Lochain in the comfort of a three-piece suite and deckchairs aboard a Fraser trailer, pulled by an MF 240 – then not a rod was taken out of the bag and a grand afternoon was had by all.

He was also, by admission, a 'moderate' golfer and latterly enjoyed trips to Turkey for an 'overseas amble', as well as regularly hitting a 'wee ba' around Southerness.

John is survived by his wife Margaret, his sons, Colin and Mark and their families. He signed off his letter in typical Neil fashion ... Au revoir, John.