Agricultural History Review, Volume 65 Part 2 (2017), pp. 213–234

In 1800 local livestock fairs and markets in north-east Scotland were traditional open markets held at fixed times of the year. Their number increased in the first half of the nineteenth century as the region’s meat industry developed to supply the growing demand of the Scottish and English markets. After 1850 and the appearance of the railways the number of livestock markets grew further and localities competed with each other, sometimes fiercely, to capture the benefits of a new livestock market. These markets, where deals were made privately between individuals, were dominated by local butchers and livestock dealers. This changed from 1870 as open markets gave way to regular livestock auction markets (or marts) conducted by professional auctioneers. Farmers believed that auctions served their interests better than open markets as sales were conducted quickly and in greater comfort, and they could also judge whether buyers were competing fairly. Farmers from the north east became so enthusiastic about this form of sale that they took advantage of the nineteenth-century Company Acts to float their own joint stock limited auction companies, and also take over some of the existing family-run livestock auction markets. In spite of some opposition from butchers and cattle dealers, the auction markets were all very successful and by 1900 had largely replaced the traditional fairs and markets. 

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