THE world of auctioneering in Scotland lost one of its greatest assets with the recent passing of Robbie Wilson, latterly of Craig Wilson, Ayr. He was 81.

Born Robert McCartney Wilson, at Westlands Nursing Home, he was the son of May and Robert Wilson. The family lived at Knockglass Farm, in Uplawmoor and Robbie was the fifth generation of Wilsons to be an auctioneer at A and J Wilson, which was based in Paisley. There was already older brother, Sandy, and Robbie was followed by wee sister, Elma.

He had the gift of the gab from an early age and his mother would say that Robbie could get a sweetie at any door, especially Miss Dale’s shop in the village – even while rationing was in force.

Robbie was also a bit of a practical joker and his sister Elma recalled the story of a random goat that would appear at neighbouring farms, courtesy of Robbie and his pal, Davie Mundell, who 're-homed' the goat before the sun came up.

Paisley Grammar had the pleasure of Robbie’s company, but like a lot of farmer's sons of the day, he wasn’t all that interested in formal education. He was a regular at the Rector’s office, where Robbie’s pockets would be full of string and on one famous occasion, a mouse trap!

It was not too far of a stretch from the school to visit A and J Wilson's premises within the town of Paisley and he was often found at Storie Street on market days, rather than in class, but he did attend agricultural college.

The family moved from Uplawmoor to Thornly Park House, in Paisley, in 1968. It was a big family home full of wonderful memories and was not too far from the 'new' A and J Wilson premises on the outskirts of Paisley when it moved from the town centre.

It was at a Young Farmers’ dance that Robbie met his future wife, Caroline Taylor and they married in 1972, in Milngavie, setting up home in Paisley, Thornly Park Drive, not far from the family home.

Their daughters – he was a prolific 'dam' breeder – Caroline, Gill, Lorraine, Roz, were all brought up in a bungalow that was home until one day Robbie came home and told Caroline that he had bought a bigger house and the family moved round the corner to Homedale, where they lived for 35 years.

To get away from the hurly burly of auctioneering, Robbie enjoyed travelling and with Caroline went on many long haul trips to Florida, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and to Madrid, but was happiest at home with Caroline, in his garden or enjoying a big gin sitting in front of the television watching his chosen team, the Rangers.

But for his farming customers, it was as an auctioneer that Robbie was best known. His skills on the rostrum have rarely been surpassed. The dairy trade at Paisley was, at one time, one of the strongest in Scotland and the monthly 'bull sale' of Ayrshires, then Friesians and latterly Holstein Friesians, were where Robbie was in full flow with a talent for names and faces, plus the odd pawky rejoinder.

A favourite trip for Robbie and the team from A and J Wilson, was the seasonal trips to the Isle of Gigha which, as you would expect could be a fairly riotous affair. There was always one escapee beast that refused to leave the island and in the days before internet buying, Robbie would quite happily knock down animals to the travelling dealers that hadn't surfaced from their hotel bed yet!

After what The SF called the 'sale of the century' on Gigha, Robbie was still 'catching up' with Donald Allan and Bob Blackwood in the hotel bar when they realised the ferry had already left. However, a quick phone call to the skipper meant the boat quickly turned around and went back for the VIP passenger.

Auctioneering was in his blood and began when he was just a boy of 15 when his grandfather and hero, Alec Wilson, said: “Rab, you into the box there and sell these calves” ... and the rest was history!

He was still active in the market until last year, with the market day at Ayr being a must even after he had retired. Before that, the annual family summer holiday to Seamill was strategically arranged to ensure an escape route to the market and to Arran.

His fairness and sense of fun also meant that Robbie made life long friends and had many an adventure with his great pals, such as the late Jim McDowell, Adam Thomson and Davie Mundell, plus his original partner in crime and brother-in-law, John Paterson.

Robbie’s second home was the islands off the West Coast of Scotland, the highlight of his working week was going over to Arran for the sale. He loved entertaining the farmers and butchers there in Duncan’s bar for some banter after the show.

Farmers always knew when Robbie had called in unannounced as traps would be set and things moved about their kitchen and they’d find their kettle in the cupboard, washing baskets moved about and broomsticks jammed across doors. Apparently, when things go missing in the Currie house they still blamed him: “Robbie Wilson must have been in."

His dedication to the farming community was evident in an interview for him by The SF a few years ago, he said: “It’s a great career. I wouldn’t have swapped it for any man’s occupation. When farmers rise at 5am, they think I’ll phone Robbie Wilson and they expect you to be there.” He always was.

Robbie was a great support to the farming community during the BSE and foot-and-mouth crises. Many benefited from his 'beyond the call of duty' service and appreciated his sense of humour in difficult times and latterly he kept in touch with all aspects of farming from his hospital bed – he even engineered a Clydesdale horse sale for a fellow patient.

That talent in the 'box', plus the twinkle in his eye, also meant that he was in demand as a charity auctioneer, which he delivered in some style. A member of the Lugton Burns Club – Robbie loved Scotland's Bard – he was the 'go to' man for its annual auction, where his quick fire delivery more often than not meant that people went home with something they did not intend to buy, indeed might not even have bid on.

A reflection of that being songs and poems of Burns proved a recurring theme throughout his funeral service.

Robbie was survived by his wife Caroline, their daughters Caroline, Gill, Lorraine, Roz and his sister, Elma, plus grandchildren Robbie, Luciano,Finn and Patrick. He will be remembered by all who knew him not only as a legendary auctioneer but also as a true gentleman.

As recited at his funeral:

Epitaph on my own friend

(Robert Burns)

An honest man here lies at rest

As e'er God with his image blest.

The friend of man, the friend of truth;

The friend of age, and guide of youth:

Few hearts like his with virtue warm'd,

Few heads with knowledge so inform'd:

If there's another world, he lives in bliss;

If there is none, he made the best of this.