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A treasure trove of work by the late Montrose artist Syd Walker has enjoyed a huge early reaction after his daughters recreated a small-scale version of his popular town gallery.

Syd, who died in 2015 at the age of 89, was a well-known figure in Angus.

He and his wife Elizabeth ran a coffee house, pottery and gallery for many years.

The Birmingham-born artist’s work was showcased in exhibitions in America, Holland and France.

It even featured in the royal family’s collection.

Earlier this year, the couple’s daughters Kirsten and Fiona rediscovered a treasure trove of their father’s work.

It included a rare range of ceramic jewellery Syd produced, some with Angus clay.

They also found items crafted by Syd on his potter’s wheel.

Kirsten and Fiona saw the heirloom restored in an episode of BBC’s The Repair Shop last year.

His daughters said it brought back “the soundtrack to our childhood”.

This week, the ProMo shop on Montrose High Street is being transported back in time to a small-scale version of Syd’s gallery, the Stables Arts Centre.

The couple’s original shop was destroyed after a lorry jack-knifed into it in the late 1960s.

They bought premises beside the Ballhouse in Montrose which became the Stables Arts Centre for more than 30 years.

As well as pieces for sale, the new exhibition includes a video of Syd’s life and work.

It was originally made for a retrospective exhibition on his life at Montrose Museum in 2016.

In 1998, Syd received an MBE for his services to art in the community.

The pop-up opened on Monday and the early response has thrilled the sisters.

Kirsten said: “Being here and seeing people’s reactions has brought so many lovely comments and memories of him.

“He was a very large figure in Montrose for many years.

“It is bittersweet for us, but now I look back and look at what a legacy my parents have left.

“We’re extremely proud of that and we don’t want him to be forgotten.

“As much as people can buy things, it’s turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to share their memories with us.”

The Syd Walker selling exhibition will run until Saturday open daily from 10am to 4pm.

It is the latest pop-up to be staged in one of the town centre shops bought by ProMo CIC.

The group has major plans to transform Montrose town centre.

It recently revealed ambitious proposals to secure the former High Street M&Co store and turn it into a bowling alley, arcade, café, retail units and flats.

This article appeared in The Courier on 19 November 2025