Fisherman was ‘unique character’

Portsoy lost a willing volunteer and servant of the sea this week, with the death of retired fisherman Victor Sutherland.

Mr Sutherland died on July 11, aged 76, seven weeks after a cancer diagnosis.

Born in Portsoy, the youngest of seven siblings, on February 16 1944, to fisherman James and fish quine Barbara (Sutherland), Victor attempted to leave school, age 14, to get out to sea. That attempt failed, but a year later he began work on his dad’s boat, Bezaleel.

In 1976 he became the proud owner of the Volente BF262 in which he was to fish all his days.

After Volente was decommissioned he worked on safety boats until his retirement in 2009, when he bought a share in Treasure – a small boat in which he fished out of Portsoy harbour.

He met his wife of 52 years, Diane, in 1966 when she was visiting Portsoy from Manchester. The pair married in April 1968.

When onshore, Mr Sutherland enjoyed supporting his grandchildren playing football or highland dancing.

In the 1970s, he was one of the fishermen who loaned money for a new clubhouse at Portsoy Bowling Club, where he was a prize-winning member for over 40 years, the last three of which he spent as president.

Mr Sutherland also enjoyed watching cricket and football and volunteered at the community gym and football pitches.

His daughter Shona said:

“He was a unique character who everyone knew and he spoke to everyone.”

Mr Sutherland was also a member of Portsoy 75 Club and its choir.

Mr Sutherland is survived by his wife, daughters Dawn, Shona and Sarah-Jane, grandchildren Debbie, Michael, Philip, Carrie, Tianna and Imogen, and great-grandchildren Ebony, Jack and Amber.

Victor Sutherland loved his hometown