“Selling Livestock by Auction as a method has defied improvement so far in practice or theory. It is the most efficient method of distributing and directing, to where each is wanted, the infinite varieties and qualities which present production methods turn out”

And so it was in 1889, the original James Craig started selling livestock by auction within the county town of Ayr. He quickly grew the company, expanding geographically, and bought Newton Stewart market serving Wigtownshire in 1903, thereby creating the basis of the current business which is still thriving a century later.

The main centre in Ayr, which used to be located adjacent to Ayr Railway Station, was modified and redeveloped continuously to service the changing livestock marketing trends over its ninety year history. Come 1993, a deal was struck with developers and Ayr Town Council to relocate the market to its present site, at Whitefordhill, a farm already under ownership of the Craigs.

Incorporating the latest thinking in livestock handling and biosecurity methods, the company was well established to weather the storms created, firstly by BSE, and not long after, the debacle of Foot and Mouth. Many faltered, and markets around the country have closed, but the Directors, believing earnestly in the concept of the auction system, embarked on a project to expand the business yet again. Negotiations started with their close neighbours, the Wilson family, who operated sites in Kilmarnock and Paisley. Jointly the decision was reached to merge the two auction houses with Ayr as the flagship centre, and Newton Stewart remaining as its southern based satellite. Through this initiative it can be truly said the new business of Craig • Wilson services clients from the Solway to the Clyde ... a considerable proportion of South West Scotland.