A dedicated teacher who brought education to deprived communities across the world has died aged 87.
Anna Murdoch, who lived at Methven Castle with architect husband Kenneth and their family, was described as a “large-hearted and adventurous woman.”
She was a daughter of the Rev Robert Robertson and was brought up in Dundee, where she attended Morgan Academy.
In 1942, Mrs Murdoch was called into service and became a WREN, training as an electrical mechanic in the Fleet Air Arm.
At the end of the war she re-trained as a teacher and in time was given the charge of the village school at Crianlarich, where she met her future husband.
Devoted to her parents, Mrs Murdoch regularly made a weekend trip home to St Fillans on her bicycle and was often seen with her pet cat peering out of the handlebar basket.
The couple married in 1954 and began a new life in Tayport. Mr Murdoch was appointed to Khartoum University six years later.
They packed up three children, a Lambretta scooter and a fridge to move to the Sudan, where they started a much-needed school despite limited equipment and accommodation. It flourished and was attended by children of many nationalities.
The family returned to Tayport in 1965, where Mrs Murdoch became a part-time teacher and music tutor.
Despite a busy family life, she found time to start a youth club and thrift shop.
In 1980 the couple retired to an old manse in Glenfarg, but found it hard to resist the challenge of restoring the ruined Methven Castle.
Over 12 years, Mrs Murdoch and her husband rejuvenated the castle until it was ready for partial occupation.
In 1993 they took time off to spend nine weeks walking from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
The couple also volunteered with Scottish Churches World Exchange, making visits to a Christian girls’ school in Pakistan.
Somehow, Mrs Murdoch also found the time to take on a dinghy sailing course, cello lessons and a Standard Grade German exam.
She was the Sunday school adviser for Perth Presbytery, started a resource centre to help teachers and was twice elected convener of the Perth Presbyterial Council of the Guild.
She is survived by her husband, four children and 11 grandchildren.