Orkney Auction Mart - Premises

An orientation visit was made the day before the first auction to gain a general impression of the OAM from its location, of the physical layout of public and controlled access areas and of the features that are signifiers of primary function or of secondary usage. The name Orkney Auction Mart makes it clear that this building is concerned with auctions but there is nothing in the name that reveals what type of auctions these might be. Wandering round the building and taking photographs revealed very emphatically that the primary function is to serve the Orkney cattle farming industry. Evidence that can be seen from the photographs are the ploughshare sculpture at the entrance to the car park, the strength and height of the stock pens, the external slurry tank, stock loading/unloading bays, the type of auction ring with its barriers and sawdust, posters and other items on the walls or displayed and the labelling of an office. Secondary use for a non-auction purpose is indicated by a photograph of a side hall with half-price sale goods displayed.
Premises Album