Sad Passing of Volunteer and Former Trustee Ian Murray
It is with sadness that the Scottish Fisheries Museum acknowledges the passing of long-term volunteer and former Trustee Ian (John) Murray.
Ian passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on 30th November aged 82. Our condolences go to Sybil and the rest of the family.
Ian came from a long line of Cellardyke fishermen, and it was this tradition that took him, first to the fishing industry himself, and secondly, to an interest in heritage and in the Museum.
His first boat was the St Andrew A787 built by Gerrards of Arbroath in 1966 and, like many East Neuk boats in the 1960s and ‘70s, was based in Aberdeen. He then commissioned the Ocean Triumph KY56 built by Miller of St Monans in 1973 and rigged for both seine netting and trawl. From 1977 until 1988 he was skipper/owner of the seiner Ocean Triumph II KY156.
Having reloacted to Yorkshire where he ran a fish merchant business, Ian returned to the East Neuk in 1999 and began a long association with the Museum, especially with the Boats Club where he was active as Skipper of the Reaper for many years. He also found time to research local history, especially that relating to his Cellardyke ancestors, and the local fishing industry.
Ian led numerous projects including compiling the database “East Neuk Fishermen Lost at Sea”, compiling exhibitions, and, with Gordon Craig, recording many oral history interviews, while also acting as a museum guide and serving for a time as a Trustee. In all of these activities he was able to draw upon his wide network of contacts and passion for the fishing industry to tell compelling stories both within the museum and elsewhere.
In latter years, Ian took up painting and created beautiful portraits of fishing boats which he turned into cards and sold in support of the Fishermen’s Mission.
Ian will be sadly missed by his friends and colleagues at the Museum and beyond.
Ian’s funeral will be on Thursday 14th December at 12.45pm in Pittenweem Kirk, then at 1.30 pm at Pittenweem Cemetery, to which all friends are invited.
