Biggar Youth Project SCIO - The Old Auction Ring

South Lanarkshire

Built in the late 1800s, until 2001 The Old Auction Ring was the focus of Biggar’s livestock market and was also used for furniture sales.  The premises were converted into a youth centre in 2002 and are currently undergoing an extensive renovation to a design by Fraser/Livingston Architects. Renovation has uncovered some forgotten features including the bell used to announce the start of auctions, and incorporates cutting edge retrofitting technology including solar PV panels, an air-source heat pump  and hemp-based wall insulation to improve energy efficiency.

The Old Auction Ring dates back to a time when most small towns had their own market. Biggar’s livestock market was active until the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001 the livestock auction for Clydesdale was centralised in Lanark and the Biggar site was redeveloped as a retail and light industrial area and as the home of Biggar Youth Project. More widely it links to the history of livestock rearing and droving within Scotland and beyond.

Doors Open Day will provide the opportunity to have a “sneak preview” of the ongoing renovation work at the Old Auction Ring (due for completion in November 2024). There will also be a small exhibition on the history of the building and the work of Biggar Youth Project.

 

Facilities

• Disabled Access
• Refreshments

Additional Access Information

While the venue will be made safe for public access for Doors Open Day this will be a tour of an incomplete renovation and some areas may not be accessible to the public.

We may be able to provide toilet facilities, drinks and home baking, but this will be dependent on progress of the building work.

The nearest public toilets are 200m away at Biggar Corn Exchange on John St.