Story behind James Morrison painting revealed to pupils

Generations of Catterline Primary children will be able to enjoy the story behind an important painting which has been a feature of their school for almost 60 years.

The artwork depicting the village pier was presented to the school in 1961 by prominent Scottish artist James Morrison as a mark of his friendship with the then teachers, Margaret and Alf Dutch.

The painting was reframed through the sponsorship of Stonehaven Heritage Society.

At a special event at school earlier this year, Mr Morrison went back to rededicate his painting to the community, where he lived in the 1960s, along with Joan Eardley, Annette Soper, Lil Neilson and other Catterline artists.

An acknowledgement plaque featuring a biography of Mr Morrison has now been unveiled at a special school assembly.

It will hang alongside his letter of tribute for Joan Eardley, penned after her death in 1963.

Stonehaven Heritage Society chairman Douglas Cusine and secretary Gordon Ritchie unveiled the plaque.

Dave Ramsay of Mearns Heritage Services said: “Not many people realised the painting in the school hall was by James Morrison.

“Had it not been for Gordon Ritchie, this story could have been lost for all time.

“Following on from the award by Historic Scotland of the Joan Eardley memorial plaque in January 2018, it seemed right to acknowledge James Morrison and his gift to the community and to ensure the background to the painting and person was shared with pupils, parents and future generations.”

Born in Glasgow in 1932, James Morrison studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1950-1954.

He joined the staff at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, in 1965.

He left Dundee College in 1987 to paint full-time.

His main working areas are the lush farmland around his home in Angus.

Members of Stonehaven Heritage Society with head teacher Melanie Fowler and some of the pupils of Catterline Primary.