Willie Main was born in Stonehaven on the 31st January 1884, the second son of Jane Scott and shoemaker James Main; he was one of three boys and six girls and the family lived at 1, Old Pier at Stonehaven Harbour. Four of Willie's siblings emigrated to Australia and New Zealand at the start of the 20th century. Willie remained in Stonehaven, eventually moving to 3, The Cross and died of a suspected stroke on 22nd December 1959 aged 74. It transpires that Willie was a talented and prolific painter and frequently sent his efforts to his extended family in the New World. In 2001 his great nephew, Allan Main, was clearing out the attic in the family home in New Zealand and discovered one of these paintings. Determined to record his family history Allan spent the next 20 years researching Willie's artistic talents; the result is an on-line gallery of over 100 paintings produced by Willie that depict Stonehaven in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Allan has generously permitted the museum to publicise and use Willie's paintings in order to promote Willie's legacy. Perhaps there still exist paintings that Allan has not tracked down; if so please get in touch with the museum with the information. you can contact us via this link.