DOROTHY MORRISON, historian, teacher and author, has died at her home in Montrose.

She graduated in history at Glasgow University in 1954, completed her teacher training at Jordanhill then taught for a number of years in the city.

She married Dr James Morrison in 1955 and the couple moved to Catterline, the small fishing village on the Kincardineshire coast, from where she taught at Inverbervie and Mackie Academy, Stonehaven.

Mrs Morrison joined the staff of Montrose Academy and from 1968 to 1973 was head of the history department.

By then she and her family had settled in Montrose and in 1973 she became a lecturer at Dundee College of Education at which time she began publishing.

In the early 1980s she retired from teaching to concentrate on writing and a steady stream of publications followed, as well as work as a history researcher and adviser for educational programmes on Scottish Television.

Her books for schools and colleges covered a catholic range of subjects, from the Romans and the first world war, to Scottish history, Ancient Greece and the rise of modern China. Apart from the historical text books that inspired generations of students, Mrs Morrison contributed to numerous publications and wrote a handbook on money management designed for school leavers.

Her increasing involvement with the Old Kirk in Montrose resulted in her becoming an elder and taking a keen interest in history projects related to Montrose and Angus.

Her writings shed light on many aspects of local history including books celebrating Montrose lifeboat station, rural schools and the 200th anniversary of her church.

Through being an elder she served for seven years on the Church and Nation Committee of the Church of Scotland.

Her work helped sustain her family in the lean years in which Dr Morrison built his reputation as one of this country’s foremost artists. Her belief in his work, her steadfast support and constant encouragement throughout his career were the mainstays of his life and success.

Mrs Morrison and her husband have a son John, daughter Judith and five grandchildren.