Amenity trust general manager Jimmy Moncrieff dies aged 57
Shetland Amenity Trust general manager Jimmy Moncrieff, who has worked at the trust for more than 20 years, has died aged 57.
Mr Moncrieff had previously been the chief executive of the Shetland Salmon Farmers Association prior to moving to the trust in the 1990s and he had also worked as lawyer.
He oversaw many major projects at the amenity trust including the building of the new Shetland Museum and Archives, the renovation of the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse and its new visitor centre, as well as the trust moving into its premises at Garthspool.
Mr Moncrieff played an important role in the trust, securing funding both from the Shetland Charitable Trust and externally for an array of projects across the isles.
Amenity trust chairman Brian Gregson stated today: “It is with great sadness that the trustees and staff of Shetland Amentiy Trust learned that its general manager for over 20 years died last evening in the Gilbert Bain Hospital.
“He was passionate about Shetland’s heritage, culture and environment and a good friend to many in Shetland. The work of the trust will continue as Jimmy would have wanted.”
Shetland Islands Council convener Malcolm Bell added: “For many years Jimmy was the driving force behind many of Shetland’s historical and environmental projects.
“He was passionate about Shetland’s past and his legacy will be the huge difference that he made to the profile of Shetland, both nationally and internationally.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends and his colleagues at Shetland Amenity Trust.”
Ben Baillie
A very sad day, he was a giant of our times and will be missed by everyone in the Viking world from Normandy to Russia. A true leader and friend.
Dr Stephen Dockrill
Jimmy Moncrieff will be missed. He was a huge advocate for all things Shetland and in particular Shetland’s Heritage. Having worked with him on Old Scatness I was able to witness the drive and enthusiasm in person. Jimmy had a vision of what was required and when funding would seem impossible he would not accept defeat and the impossible was obtained. Jimmy’s legacy stands with his work with Val Turner on the archaeological heritage projects such as Viking Unst and Old Scatness, the Shetland Museum with the late Tommy Watt and Sumburgh Lighthouse to name a few. It was with great sadness that we at Bradford University heard of his passing.
Dr Stephen Dockrill,
Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Bradford
Julie Gibson
Jimmy was indeed charismatic and driven, creative, learned and successful. All his “Viking” friends, whether in Scotland or well beyond – in Normandy or Spain – have benefited from his work and friendship and will be, as I am, very sorry to hear of his passing. He is irreplaceable.
Julie Gibson
Orkney Islands Council Archaeologist
Rognvaldur Gudmundsson
Shocking news.
Rest in peace my friend.
See you later.
Rögnvaldur Gudmundsson
Chairman, Iceland Saga Trail Association
Anne Hopland
It is with great sadness that we received the news of Mr Moncrieff’s much too early passing, having just last week spent a very successful conference and celebration in Shetland together with him and other Viking friends from across Europe. Jimmy was a driving force behind so many international networks and projects, among others the Destination Viking network of Viking cultural heritage centres in Europe. Before that we had the privilege of working with him and other staff members at Shetland Amenity Trust on the THING project connected to Viking parliament and court sites around the North-Atlantic. At Gulathing in west Norway we welcomed his great generousity and insights, his good humour, his keen interest and enthusiasm for Viking law, and his experience with co-ordinating large EU programmes with many participants. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues at Shetland Amenity Trust.
Anne Hopland
Millennium site of Gulatinget
General Manager
Gulen Municipality
Sogn og Fjordane County
Per-Kåre Nybakk
I am so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man, with great knowledge about almost everything.
I Thank him dearly for also including happy amatures, in getting his ideas visual for common people.
Rest in peace dear Jimmy.
George Irvine
Rest in Peace I grew up with both the Moncrieff brothers when they lived in the Lodberrie and I lived in Greenfield Square. went home many a night soaked to the skin by falling of his rope swing
George Karstein Irvine
Senior Vice President
Evolve Trading and Investment
Stephen Tulloch
I was heart vexed to hear that Jimmy had passed away. I went to school with Jimmy and it was clear then that he would have a major impact in his chosen fields. A lot has been made of Jimmy’s weight, most recently in last week’s UHA bill. This was nobody’s business but his own. However, here are a few thoughts to try and redress the balance. He was a heavyweight in Shetland Life. He made a gigantic impact on Shetland’s heritage and culture. He has left a colossal legacy which will live on long after we have all gone under the cold clay or have been scattered to the four winds. He truly lived up to Arthur Anderson’s motto, he did weel and he persevered. I offer my sincere condolences to his family and many friends, both within Shetland and beyond. So safe final voyage Jimmy and rest in peace. I hope that dey Valhalla is aa do wid want it tae be.
Davie Sandison
Very well put Stephen and i would wholly endorse everything you have said. Jimmy’s contributions to Shetland life will indeed have lasting impacts and i too would pass on my sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues near and far.
Kevin Fewster
As Director of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich and on behalf of the UK Maritime Heritage Forum (UKMHF), a group of maritime museums and historic vessels which meets annually, we were deeply saddened to hear of Jimmy’s passing, and send our heartfelt condolences.
Jimmy inspired many of us in the sector, especially through his involvement in the UKMHF. He gave a wonderful talk about the new Shetland Museum at the first such Forum in 2008. We then had the pleasure of visiting Shetland for the 2013 Forum – one of the best we’ve ever held in terms of the Museum’s world-class quality and the wonderful hospitality we enjoyed.
The new boat storage facility and Boat Festival are further examples of the Trust’s dynamic approach. It was exciting to hear Jimmy describe his hopes of establishing boatbuilding programmes to maximize these new facilities and promote traditional skills training. Jimmy was an outstanding museum director who could have successfully transferred to a larger museum had he so wished, but I truly admired him for choosing to stay in Lerwick and use his fabulous talents for the betterment of the community he so loved. He will be sadly missed.
Kevin Fewster
Director, Royal Museums Greenwich
Chairman, UK Maritime Heritage Forum
Pat Wallace
So shocked to learn today at Breandan O Riordains removal at
Blessington Co Wicklow of the death some months ago of the
extraordinaryand wonderful Jimmy Montcrief.May he rest in peace.
Shetland was blessed to have such a cultural advocate and those of us
privilegedto have known him such a great character!
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.Pat Wallace,Dublin