0:00:00 > 0:00:00He'll be taking control of a livestock auction
0:00:00 > 0:00:01for the very first time.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Farming is a risky business.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11And when it's time to make money, the stakes are high.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Thainstone Mart, one of Europe's biggest livestock markets.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21If you want perfection, there it is. That is some machine.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Sheep, cattle, and machinery,
0:00:23 > 0:00:25auctioned to the highest bidder,
0:00:25 > 0:00:27day in, day out.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Farmers spend months getting ready for their big sales day.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35You foul brute.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38And buyers need nerves of steel to bag the bargains.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Folk can easily get carried away,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43it's a bit of an adrenaline thing, bidding.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Fortunes can be made and dreams can be dashed.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49All in the blink of an eye.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Always expect the unexpected.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Welcome to The Mart.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03It's out of the old and in with the new at the mart this week.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04Me? Aye.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08As rookie auctioneer Scott Chapman finds himself in the livestock
0:01:08 > 0:01:10auction box for the first time.
0:01:10 > 0:01:1289, I've got 99. 89, I've got 99.
0:01:12 > 0:01:1880? 89. 88.50. 88.50? 88.50 - Colin Simpson. Simpson.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20The Miller brothers need a good price at auction
0:01:20 > 0:01:22if they're to continue generations of history,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26raising their traditional Caithness sheep.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28If you can't really make any money out of them,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30why are you going to keep going at it?
0:01:30 > 0:01:33What are you doing to the eggs today? Give us a hold of that.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36And catering supervisor Linda Fyfe
0:01:36 > 0:01:38risks the ire of dozens of hungry martmen
0:01:38 > 0:01:42when she puts her new spicy sausages on the menu.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Are you going to try my chilli banger?
0:01:50 > 0:01:53It's the crack of dawn at Thainstone Mart.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55It's only just gone six.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58A Duff Colliston here.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01And head sheep auctioneer Colin Slessor and his team
0:02:01 > 0:02:03already have their hands full.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06At the moment, we're sorting out store lambs.
0:02:06 > 0:02:091,300 store lambs are ready for the sale.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13With another 800 ewes to follow,
0:02:13 > 0:02:15that's more than 2,000 sheep to shift.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19But the team are a man down.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Trainee auctioneer Scott Chapman is nowhere to be seen.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27He's late but I've just received a text message.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29"Just coming, been stuck at the lights,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31"just outside Inverurie. Sorry."
0:02:31 > 0:02:33HE CHUCKLES That's a good one.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35I think that's just Morse code for,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37"I'm running a wee bit behind schedule."
0:02:37 > 0:02:40I don't think the lights at Inverurie are a big problem to be fair.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43But, I dare say when I was 21, I maybe sent messages like that.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Although there wasn't even text messages when I was 21.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51With the hard work all but over,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54a sheepish Scott arrives to face the music.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57Morning, you well?
0:02:57 > 0:02:58I would have replied to your text
0:02:58 > 0:03:01but I was flat-out sorting sheep, so...
0:03:02 > 0:03:07He's laughing now but Colin's got a big surprise in store for Scott.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10On a more serious note,
0:03:10 > 0:03:15you'll be doing the last 20 minutes or half an hour of ewes today.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17All right?
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Silence. That's all right.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Happy? Aye.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24OK. Show it.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Colin's giving Scott his first chance in the box
0:03:28 > 0:03:30at a sheep auction.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32Feel like you're ready to do it? I think so, aye.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37You maybe need to let go of the gate at some point.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39I'm nae too sure if that went well or no'.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Looks a bit more apprehensive than I hoped.
0:03:43 > 0:03:49Colin's obviously looking forward to it, Scott less so.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50I'm nervous, aye.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Just nervous, we'll have to wait and see.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56But if he thinks I'm ready then...
0:03:56 > 0:03:57I'll give it a go, aye.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Also preparing for a sheep sale is Quoybrae Mart,
0:04:14 > 0:04:16200 miles from Thainstone.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19It's Aberdeen and Northern Marts most northerly outpost and services
0:04:19 > 0:04:22the farming community of Caithness and beyond.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Getting ready to take their sheep to market
0:04:31 > 0:04:33are farming brothers Iain and Donny Miller.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41The brothers raise half-bred Cheviots, traditional in Caithness
0:04:41 > 0:04:42and in Iain's family.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Dad had them, Grandad before him,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49and probably his grandad before that.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53It's all there ever was in Caithness for years and years.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57But the brothers have a problem.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01The Cheviot ewes produce fewer lambs than other sheep.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Fine when the market for them is good,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06disastrous, like now, when prices are low.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Things are so bad, Iain and Donny are considering ending a 150 years
0:05:11 > 0:05:16of tradition and getting out of the half-bred Cheviot business for good.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20If I could get two lambs from every Cheviot I had,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23there'd be no question I'd be going out with them,
0:05:23 > 0:05:27but I just can't get the numbers on the ground to get money in the bank.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Och, it's quite sad too, because I quite like the breed,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34but if you can't really make any money out of them,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36why are you going to keep going at it?
0:05:36 > 0:05:40The price they get at the Quoybrae Mart for their 150 lambs
0:05:40 > 0:05:45will determine whether they continue producing half-bred Cheviots.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50You have to get a good price today, it's a very important sale today.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Achieving a good price will be easier if the lambs can win a prize
0:05:54 > 0:05:56at the presale show.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Same, I think.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Gaining a red ticket attracts buyers
0:06:01 > 0:06:04so selecting the right lambs is crucial.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09What I'm looking for in the ones they show is just basically
0:06:09 > 0:06:13the biggest one, you don't want too rough a head,
0:06:13 > 0:06:18sweeter-looking head, good dark eye, that's pretty important.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Just a leg in each corner.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Hopefully, if we get a red ticket,
0:06:25 > 0:06:27it'll help us out when we go in the sale ring.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Hopefully get a few more bids.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33The sale is make-or-break for Iain and Donny and the future
0:06:33 > 0:06:36of the half-bred Cheviots.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Aye, it's butterflies going in my stomach just now.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43But you don't know until you go in.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58At Thainstone, there's an army of yardmen and women hard at work.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00And at 7 o'clock in the morning
0:07:00 > 0:07:02there's only one thing on their mind.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Breakfast is important, especially if you're in about
0:07:07 > 0:07:08six o'clock in the morning.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11A hungry man's an angry man.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Preparing for the onslaught of these angry men
0:07:15 > 0:07:18is one of the mart's most important employees.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Is that none of the buns cut today?
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Catering supervisor Linda Fife.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Nothing's gone wrong that I can't sort out, darling,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29let me tell you now.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Linda doesn't open until eight but there's already a queue of farmers
0:07:33 > 0:07:36who don't know any better.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Gentleman, can you give me five minutes? Five minutes?
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Five minutes, darling, I promise I'll be ready.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44But the kitchen isn't as accommodating
0:07:44 > 0:07:47about Linda's decision to open early.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Black pudding, beans and tatties, please.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52When it's ready, it's ready! Because people have come early today,
0:07:52 > 0:07:54I didn't know they were coming early.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58So, I've promised them they'll get their breakfast in five minutes, OK?
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Sausages, seven minutes, maybe five.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04OK. Seven minutes, maybe five.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06And colleague Stewart Bygate
0:08:06 > 0:08:09doesn't meet Linda's exacting standards either.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11What are you doing to the eggs today? Scrambling.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Give us a hold of that.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Nane of the farmers like a burst yolk.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22For Linda, it's a busy start, much like any other day,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24except that it isn't.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Because today is my 24th year
0:08:27 > 0:08:30working for Aberdeen and Northern Marts.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33And some of the young farmers that's coming in today,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35I've known them since they were kids,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37so I've actually seen them growing up.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39And over the years, Linda's been serving up
0:08:39 > 0:08:41the same traditional fare,
0:08:41 > 0:08:44but today she's putting something different on the menu.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Yeah, we're trying a chilli sausage,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49but I really don't know how the farmers are going to come
0:08:49 > 0:08:52to this because they don't really like change.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54I think it's going to be a bit of fun, really.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Chilli?!
0:08:56 > 0:08:59And she has some persuading to do if the reaction amongst her colleagues
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Stewart and Gemma is anything to go by.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Not really what I would like as a sort of morning sausage.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07I don't eat meat, so...
0:09:07 > 0:09:11I can just imagine if I said to the farmers,
0:09:11 > 0:09:15"Good morning, would you like to try a vegetarian sausage today?"
0:09:15 > 0:09:18I would fairly be told where to put it.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22Right, gentleman, would you like to come and get your breakfast, please?
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Today we've got a sausage-of-the-day which is a chilli banger.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28No, I'll stick to the normal.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31What's the main ingredient of the chilli banger? A chilli.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Would you like me to go and ask what the main ingredient is?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36I think I'll just have an egg and bacon, please.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Looks like Linda's in for a long morning.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47At Quoybrae Mart in Caithness,
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Iain and Donny Miller arrive with their half-bred Cheviot lambs.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57The price they get here at auction will go a long way to deciding
0:09:57 > 0:10:01if the brothers continue the family tradition of breeding these sheep.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05It will be hard to give them up because it's just something
0:10:05 > 0:10:07that we've always done and it's just...
0:10:10 > 0:10:11I'm not one for change.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17We'll just have to see what goes on in here.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20The brothers have a pen of 20, a pen of ten,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24and two individual lambs entered in the presale show.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Best show her, then.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Changing our minds...
0:10:31 > 0:10:33at what the best one is.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39A good result could drive up prices in the ring.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43It's down to judge Harry Sleigh to pick the winners.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Half-bred is the queen of sheep.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48When it's produced well, to a high standard,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51I don't think there's a sheep to beat it in the country.
0:10:52 > 0:10:53This is round one.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59The pen of 20 is first up for Harry's consideration.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13A good, even pen. Very good.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14Starting to sweat a bit.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16It's a tough call for Harry.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19First, second, third.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21And the Millers can only manage third.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22Oh, well.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28It's the pen of ten next.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30We've a slightly better chance with this one.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36Heart's beating.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51He's seen something in them. He's having another look.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53Either he's happy or not happy.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Harry likes what he sees and so does Iain.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Nice one. Happy with that.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09Hopefully getting that first prize will help us get another ?20 a head.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11We can always hope.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14And the Millers come up trumps once again when one of their lambs
0:12:14 > 0:12:16takes the top individual prize.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Right, folks. In the singles, first prize...
0:12:19 > 0:12:21goes to the Messrs Miller, Buckies.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23It's a great start to the day.
0:12:23 > 0:12:24Morning, ladies and gentlemen.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Welcome along to our annual show and sale...
0:12:26 > 0:12:29But with the Millers' lambs about to go under the hammer,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32it's prices, not prizes that will convince Iain and Donny
0:12:32 > 0:12:34to stick with the half-breds.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36It's coming down to it now.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38Yeah, getting quite nervous now.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40You can do all you want for showing.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Showing's just a bit of fun really at the end of the day,
0:12:42 > 0:12:43but this is what counts now.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Good morning, gentlemen. My eggs is getting hard.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53At Thainstone, Linda Fyfe is using all of her charm
0:12:53 > 0:12:56to promote the spicy new item on the breakfast menu.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Surprise, surprise today for breakfast.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09She's hoping the hungry mart staff are up for a culinary challenge.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Want to try my chilli banger?
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Oh, I'll have two of them. OK.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Linda, how're your eggs today? They're fabulous, look.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Are you going to try our chilli bangers, Robbie, now?
0:13:19 > 0:13:22No, no, no. Aye, you're a coward.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24I love all my yardsmen.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Love them all. Good fun.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Hello, Davey. Hello, darling. How are you doing? I'm fine. Yourself?
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Listen, I've got a chilli banger on today. Have you?
0:13:32 > 0:13:34What do you think of that? Hot and spicy!
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Yeah, hot and spicy. LAUGHTER
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Are you going to come back and tell me how you're getting on
0:13:38 > 0:13:40with your hot sausage?
0:13:40 > 0:13:42I was wondering if you'd like to try a chilli banger?
0:13:42 > 0:13:45I'm feart of chilli bangers. Are you? Are you not going to try it?
0:13:47 > 0:13:49I just love working here with customers.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51I love them - them all.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52But do they love her sausages?
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Thank you.
0:13:54 > 0:13:55A bit hot.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Aye, it was a bit nippy but it was fine, like.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59It was a bit hot, aye.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01A wee bit hot.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04It just doesn't suit my taste, like. No. That was great.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06Just absolutely fantastic.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Ken, this has went really well today.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11I really think it's been about 50-50.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14But what will Linda make of the bangers she's been dishing out?
0:14:18 > 0:14:22Oh, that's got really, really fine. I'm enjoying that. Yeah.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25You need to turn the camera off.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28For God's sake.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32It's going in the bucket.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40There is no time for breakfast out on the highway
0:14:40 > 0:14:45for livestock haulier Paddy Trimble, but he couldn't be happier.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48I wasn't really a big fan of schooling.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50I remember I didn't pay much attention.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54I was always daydreaming and the teacher says to me,
0:14:54 > 0:14:59"Mr Trimble, you need to pay attention and concentrate
0:14:59 > 0:15:02"because you're not going to get paid to look out a window."
0:15:02 > 0:15:06And here I am today and I'm getting paid to do it,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09so that teacher was wrong!
0:15:09 > 0:15:12The view is one of the bonuses of moving livestock
0:15:12 > 0:15:14to and from Thainstone.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16But he's not looking forward to his next job.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22I would say I've been...not dreading it, but slightly nervous.
0:15:25 > 0:15:30Paddy's picking up 32 cattle from Kinclune, a farm near Kirriemuir.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36Just from memory, you know, I just...
0:15:36 > 0:15:40I don't know if it's going to be physically possible to get...
0:15:40 > 0:15:44To get manoeuvred into where we need to be to load the cattle.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49Paddy's been to the farm before, but in a much smaller truck.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52If we go up and can't get reversed in,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54then we have a long reverse back down again.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58The lorry cost over ?200,000.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00It's Paddy's responsibility.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03I've had this lorry now for about five months
0:16:03 > 0:16:07and I haven't bashed it and I don't want to bash my lorry,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09that would be just devastating.
0:16:09 > 0:16:15I'll just have to keep calm and either be a hero or a zero.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19But first, Paddy's got to tackle the forest stage.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21This is the widest bit of the farm.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26It's just going to get narrower from here on in.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29And, great, we've got our first obstacle already.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33That's just super.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38The lorry is 50-feet-long, but it's also over eight-feet-wide.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Trim the trees as we're heading up.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55Certainly wasn't built for Paddy coming in with a decker.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01We're going to turn you in there forward... Yep.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03And then back you round.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04Easier said than done.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10This place was built for a horse and cart.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17I've got a shed here on my left.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Squeezing the massive lorry into the narrow farmyard
0:17:20 > 0:17:24takes two three-point turns and lots of sweat.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26Apologies for running over your grass,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29but I'm going to do it because it will make my job easier.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35So far, so good but I'd say this is going to be the tricky bit,
0:17:35 > 0:17:36getting around here.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49Whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:17:50 > 0:17:53That should do. We'll go get them loaded.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56HE WHISTLES Come on, guys. Hey, hey. On the bus.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Upsies! Come on. Hey, hey.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Manoeuvring the truck into position might have been tricky,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06but moving the cattle is dangerous.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11HE WHISTLES Hey! Upsies! Upsies!
0:18:11 > 0:18:15In his two-and-a-half-year career, Paddy's been head-butted by sheep,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18kicked by cattle, and even bitten by a pig.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21He finds the gentle approach works best.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29See you later. All the best.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39We've survived the hard bits at Kinclune,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42so we just have to get them to Thainstone as safe as we can,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44and hopefully they come off nice and clean and quiet
0:18:44 > 0:18:47and happy and content.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50And then you'll have a happy driver.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59It's decision time in Caithness for brothers Iain and Donny Miller.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02The outcome of their sheep sale today will decide
0:19:02 > 0:19:05whether they continue the family tradition
0:19:05 > 0:19:07of raising half-bred Cheviots.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09We'll just have to wait and see.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11We'll get our medicine in a minute.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Last year, they averaged ?98 a head, but they'll need much more than that
0:19:15 > 0:19:18today for the 150 lambs if they're to stick with the breed.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Iain hopes to hit the ground running
0:19:23 > 0:19:25when their champion lamb enters the ring.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33170. 170. 170 bid.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36180 bid. 180. 190.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39190. 190 bid. 200. 200. 210. 210.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44220. 220. 220. 220 goes to...
0:19:45 > 0:19:48220, a great start to the sale
0:19:48 > 0:19:51and the next single lamb does almost as well.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54200. 200. Same way.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56But two good prices aren't going to do it on their own.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59The pen of ten is in next.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01On my left then at 150.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06155. 155. 155. 155. 155.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08At 155. Harry Sleigh, 155.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12The judge, Harry Sleigh, has put his money where his mouth is
0:20:12 > 0:20:14and bought them for 155 a head.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17120 bid. 120 bid. At 120.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20The next pen of 20 goes for ?122 a head.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23122, then...
0:20:23 > 0:20:26And the brothers are on course to beat last year's average.
0:20:26 > 0:20:3080 bid. At 80 bid. At 80.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33It's all down to the lot of remaining lambs.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36At 88. At 88. At 80. At 90.
0:20:36 > 0:20:4292. 95. 95. 95. 98. 100. 100.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46102. 105. 105. 105. 105.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48105 for Harry Sleigh.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52?105 each, and judge Harry is the buyer again.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57It's been a good sale for Iain, but now he's got a decision to make.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Just have a bit of thinking now.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03I'll go up and see what my brother's saying
0:21:03 > 0:21:04and we'll take it from there.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07I'll make my mind up over the next hour
0:21:07 > 0:21:10and see then if we decide to stay in with the Cheviots.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15Brother, Donny, is just as undecided about the future of the half-breds.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20I'm wondering if it's enough to keep you in it, keep you doing it,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23you know? I don't know if it is.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25At the sales office, will the sight of the cheque
0:21:25 > 0:21:28sway the brothers' decision?
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Excellent. That's a much better way of doing it.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32?16,994.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37The brothers have managed an average of ?119 a head.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42A solid amount, but it's just not enough to keep them
0:21:42 > 0:21:45in the half-bred Cheviots.
0:21:45 > 0:21:46It's been a good day.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49It's been a good day for us, but I think it's time to move on
0:21:49 > 0:21:51and try something else.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53It's just...
0:21:53 > 0:21:57You've got to make your figures stack up at the end of the day.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00It probably is the end of an era.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Tradition's one thing but there's no room for sentiment
0:22:03 > 0:22:05when there's bills to be paid.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17At Thainstone, the sheep sale is in full swing.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Head auctioneer Colin Slessor is in the box
0:22:22 > 0:22:25but he's about to hand over to rookie Scott Chapman.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29He'll be taking control of a livestock auction
0:22:29 > 0:22:30for the very first time.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Take your book and let's go up here.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36James will lock that gate.
0:22:37 > 0:22:38Me? Aye.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Colin only told him this morning that he was putting him in,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45but that's still given him plenty of time to get nervous.
0:22:45 > 0:22:4953. 53.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51The nerves are fairly in now.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Got the nerves now, like.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Today's customers are some of the biggest players
0:22:57 > 0:22:59in the livestock buying game,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01and as head auctioneer Colin Slessor knows,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04they don't take any prisoners.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07'They're hard men, they're out to do business,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10'and they'll be pretty tough on an experienced auctioneer.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13'But, you know, he's got to learn.'
0:23:13 > 0:23:15I'll hand you over to Scott...
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Colin's been keeping the prices up and the sale moving quickly.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21Now, it's down to Scott. On you go. Watch your gavel.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24There's your ticket. Put it on the spike. OK?
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Put it on the spike. On the spike.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Right, one Texel ewe. One Texel ewe. Watch the gavel.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33?80. ?60. 50. ?50. 50 bid.
0:23:33 > 0:23:3852. 52. 54. 56.
0:23:38 > 0:23:4157. 58. 59.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Despite his nerves, Scott gets a decent price for his first lot.
0:23:44 > 0:23:4976. 78. 79. 79. Have I got 79?
0:23:49 > 0:23:5278.50 - Bill Cameron.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57But auctioneering is not just about spotting bids,
0:23:57 > 0:23:58there's the arithmetic.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02Five ewes. Write it down. Write it down. Five ewes.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04And there's the paperwork...
0:24:04 > 0:24:0879. 78.50. Colin Simpson.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12As soon as you do it, shove it down. 78.50, it was. 78.50.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Eight ewes...
0:24:14 > 0:24:17And keeping all the buyers and sellers happy.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21Mrs Duff, sitting at the top. Duff, this time. Lady sitting up high.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25How many in there then? Lady up there. How many in there?
0:24:25 > 0:24:26Eight. Eight of them this time.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Also watching is head auctioneer Alan Hutcheon.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31He's responsible for Scott's training
0:24:31 > 0:24:34and knows what he's going through.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Following Colin, following a guy that's been doing it for years
0:24:37 > 0:24:39is always nerve-racking.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41He'll be thinking, "Can I do as good a job as him?"
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Well, you just have to focus and concentrate,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45just get into your stride.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Make sure your breathing's right and get into your stride.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50But he's not quite there yet.
0:24:50 > 0:24:5589. I've got 99. 89. 99. 89. 88.50. 88.50.
0:24:55 > 0:24:5788.50, Colin Simpson. Simpson.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02It's almost as stressful for Colin as it is for Scott.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06It's far more nerve-racking than doing it yourself.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08I think he's nearly stopped shaking now.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11He was shaking like a leaf to begin with.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13But Scott settles down, finds his feet,
0:25:13 > 0:25:15and confirms Colin's faith in him.
0:25:15 > 0:25:2152. 53. 54. 5. 6. 57. 58. 59.
0:25:21 > 0:25:2359. At 59. 58.50, Bill Cameron.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30He could do another hundred... Couple of hundred, no bother.
0:25:32 > 0:25:3532 bid. 31.50. Same way.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Thank everybody. Thanks very much.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41It's all we've got time for today.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45That was a big puff of air.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Once you've done 20,000, you'll be fine.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52I can't even get my numbers right there.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57Scott sold 106 sheep for almost ?7,000.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Not bad for only four months in the job.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05Och, I'm chuffed, aye. I think I was maybe just a bit too quick.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09I was trying to follow an auctioneer that's been selling for 25 years.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Och, it's all learning, like.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15I'll just remember that for the next time.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18And Colin's chuffed with him as well.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20He only got... I don't know if it was half an hour there today.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22It wasn't much but it's a start.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25We'll give him the same again, every week a bit more.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27I'll give him every opportunity.
0:26:27 > 0:26:28He'll get plenty to sell.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31If he's fit and able, he'll get plenty to do.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Yeah, I'm happy with him. Very happy.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37As his day draws to a close,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40pulling up at the mart with his load of cattle
0:26:40 > 0:26:43is livestock haulier Paddy Trimble.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45That's us arrived at Thainstone.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51There you go. You get them off.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Better bring the paperwork.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59The cattle won't be sold until tomorrow,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02so they'll be spending the night at Thainstone.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06We'll treat you well, buddy.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08You do a good job, Robbie.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Yard supervisor Robbie Cruickshank will be looking after them
0:27:11 > 0:27:15in the mart's indoor lairage, a B for sheep and cattle.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Look at that. They're happy.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21Robbie, you're a star. Thank you. They're happy in there.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Paddy's day is over.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28But like the cattle, he's staying at the mart, too.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31This is the home from home.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Everything we need - we've got our seat, our bed.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40That is the end for today and it's snooze time.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43And Paddy will need all the rest he can get,
0:27:43 > 0:27:46for tomorrow it all begins again,
0:27:46 > 0:27:48for him and the mart.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Next time on The Mart...
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Everyone's up against it.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58The Simpsons have to get their sheep to market across one of the most
0:27:58 > 0:28:02dangerous stretches of water in the world.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06Anybody that hasn't had a silent prayer at sea, I think, is a liar.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09You have a go.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Father and son team John and Ewan Gordon face a difficult delivery.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16She's just doing nothing to help.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21And yardman Robbie has to deal with a tricky tractor.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24There isn't enough power in the battery.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Can he get it working before the machinery sale grinds to a halt?