Peterhead artist George Strachan remembered for a lifetime of creativity and kindness
George Strachan, who has died aged 87, devoted his life to art, family and community.
The family of kind-hearted Peterhead artist and street pastor George Strachan have paid tribute to the 87-year-old.
If you stood beside George at Peterhead Harbour, you’d quickly realise he wasn’t just looking at boats.
He was studying the light on the water, looking at the small details of a passing cloud, and the way the hull sat at low tide.
The sea was never just background. It was a lifelong subject, inspiration, and source for his art.
Harbour-side beginnings for young George
George was born on Jamaica Street in Peterhead on December 7 1938, into a fishing family.
His father, Ralph — known as Raffie — was a fisherman “through and through”. His mother, Margaret, or Muggie-Rose, created a warm and steady home.
George was later joined by younger brother Ralph, who died 16 years ago. Together, they grew up surrounded by the sounds of harbour life.
As a small boy, George travelled with his mother to different Scottish ports where his father worked.
One of those places was Invergordon, where he began primary school. His Peterhead dialect proved so strong, however, that Muggie-Rose eventually brought him home.
“He always said he used to run wild down the harbour,” said Jane, George’s daughter.
It didn’t take long for George’s natural talent to emerge. When the class was asked to draw a pet, the teacher proudly announced, “Strachan drew the best cat.”
George would later laugh, claiming it as his “first art accomplishment.”
That simple moment marked the beginning of something that would stay with him for a lifetime.
Peterhead provided great art inspiration
George drew constantly.
During the war years, when paper was scarce, he filled the flyleaves of books with sketches of Spitfires and destroyers.
“He even sketched in hymn books at church, though no one seemed to mind,” added Jane.
Years later, when he began writing his autobiography, he described the excitement of school holidays — running along the rocks, watching the harbour at work, or imagining himself flying a Spitfire high above the clouds.
The sea, of course, required no imagination.
In 1954, just before sitting his lower-level fourth year exams, George decided to go to sea with his father.
The months spent away from home deepened his understanding of the fishing life and the men who worked it.
Although he soon realised his own path would take a different shape, the experience stayed with him.
Finding his own course through life
Opting instead to work around the harbour as a message boy, or ship’s runner, he’d often deliver samples of herring by bicycle to the buyer’s auction.
In 1958-59, George completed National Service in England and Glasgow. It broadened his horizons, but Peterhead always remained home.
Around this time, he met Bill Imlah, an art teacher who encouraged him to join the Peterhead Sketching Club.
He began to paint seriously, building a portfolio reflecting a love of fishing life.
He even took it to Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, where the principal, Ian Fleming, admired his work — particularly his depictions of boats — and advised him to ‘stick in with the boats’.
It was advice he clung to for 50 years.
Desperate to pursue his art, George felt Gray’s in Aberdeen would be the next best step.
He needed to get his Higher English to secure a place, which he did through evening classes.
By then, however, he was so immersed in the fishing industry that he chose to keep art as a lifelong project rather than a formal career.
‘Draw what you see’… George saw Nancy
In 1964, George moved into fishing-boat management at Caley Fisheries. He would remain there for 30 years, working full-time, still attending evening art classes.
In 1971, at a class at Peterhead Academy led by teacher George Stephen, the instruction was simple: “Draw what you see in front of you.”
What George saw was Nancy Thomson from Longside, who was three years his junior.
Their courtship began during the miners’ strikes when power cuts often cancelled classes. On such occasions, they enjoyed candle-lit meals at the Udny Arms Hotel in Newburgh, instead.
Very quickly, they formed what would be a lifelong partnership.
Home, faith and family
George and Nancy married in January 1974 at Longside Parish Church and settled at Station House in Inverugie. Their home for the next 50 years, they filled it with laughter, creativity and family life.
The couple went to The Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar for their honeymoon, and the family took them back there for Nancy’s 80th in 2021 — making sure they arrived in style with a surprise chauffeur.
The couple welcomed two children, Jane and Neil, who grew up surrounded by both the harbour and the countryside in a home known for its warmth and hospitality. Friends often dropped by, and laughter was never far away.
After busy days at work, George found peace walking, sketching and painting, keeping detailed diaries filled with drawings, weather notes and observations of nature.
The northern lights, often visible from Inverugie, were a particular delight.
Faith was also central to George’s life.
Raised in the Baptist Church, he later worshipped with Nancy at Longside Parish Church, serving as an elder, treasurer, and choir member.
For George, faith meant kindness, service and helping others wherever he could.
“He also had a passion for cars. His silver Ford Capri was his pride and joy — apparently it was the first one in town,” said Nancy.
Youth football also featured, managing the Jucos team alongside his friend Charlie Brown.
Passing on the harbour light to a new generation
In 1979, George was invited to start an informal art class at Peterhead Academy.
He agreed, on one condition. There could be no administration, no paperwork … just relaxed teaching.
For more than 40 years, he turned up week after week, sharing his love of art with anyone who wanted to learn.
As he was taught, he encouraged students to “just draw what you see.”
His style was gentle and patient.
Many remember him not only for his skill and guidance but for the confidence he gave his students.
George treasured the memory book presented to him on his retirement in 2020.
“The class continues today,” Jane added. “A living testament to his generosity and dedication.”
Preserving Peterhead for posterity
In 1997, George retired early from Caley Fisheries to devote more time to his painting and to local history.
He later worked part-time at Peterhead Museum, sharing his passion with visitors and often continuing conversations over coffee at home.
George created a detailed database of Peterhead’s fishing fleet from 1869 to 1963 and completed many commissions. This included a large harbour painting that hangs in Peterhead Hospital.
George’s art reached far beyond Peterhead.
In 1994, he was surprised to find himself included in the Dictionary of Scottish Art and Architecture, which recorded his work in collections as far afield as Brazil, Canada, Australia, Holland and Norway.
In 1998, he appeared on Channel 4’s Watercolour Challenge, reaching the North of Scotland final.
Over his lifetime, he created around 1,000 sketches and paintings.
He began in watercolours, later moving into oils, drawing inspiration from the French Impressionists, American painter Winslow Homer and Peterhead artist W.G. (Bill) Kerswell.
Serving others, always
Even in his later years, George continued to serve others.
In 2013, at 74, he became a Street Pastor in Peterhead, which he continued until 2020.
“He went out on a Friday or Saturday to help people in need. He used to leave the house at around 9pm and patrol the streets from 10pm to 3am, when the club’s shut,” explained Nancy.
George also served eight years as trustee and treasurer of Age Peterhead, supporting older and disabled people and their carers, demonstrating the same gentle care in his volunteer work as he did in his family and teaching.
A new chapter in Newburgh
In 2020 George stepped back from the art class he had led for more than four decades.
The following year George and Nancy made the move from Inverugie to Newburgh, to be closer to family.
Leaving a home filled with memories was difficult, but the couple quickly became active in church and community life, forming new friendships while cherishing the old.
In 2022, George visited the National Gallery in London and later wrote to a curator about Winslow Homer’s connection to the 1881 Eyemouth fishing disaster.
He was delighted to receive a reply.
A devoted family man
George was a devoted husband to Nancy, a loving father to Jane and Neil, and a cherished grandfather to Joe (20), Daisy (18), Alex (9) and Sam (5).
His grandchildren brought him immense joy. Known to them as gramps, he was patient, playful and endlessly curious.
“He painted with them. He definitely tried to pass on the artistic talent!” Neil said.
There was once a boat called The Daisy in Peterhead, which George had painted years before his granddaughter Daisy was born — one of many works the family treasure.
He delighted in small surprises, such as the time he discovered he was distantly related to Elvis, or when he saw his name listed in the phone book as Admiral George Strachan.
Celebrating a life that enriched so many others
On January 31, George died peacefully at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with his family by his side.
His funeral service took place on Tuesday February 17 at The Almanythie Hall in Peterhead. Hymns included Thine Be The Glory and Lord, For The Years.
Jane said: “We’ll miss his zest for life.
“He always had a good sense of humour and fun. Always upbeat and cheery.”
George leaves not only a remarkable body of artwork but a legacy of teaching, service and quiet inspiration.
His paintings, capturing the life, energy and beauty of the harbour and its boats under northern skies, will remain for generations to come.
Most importantly, his warmth, kindness, curiosity and devotion to family and community will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew him.
[Source: Press and Journal]
