Margaret was a Fraserburgh RNLI stalwart for over 30 years.
It was with the great sadness that Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station learned of the passing of RNLI fundraising stalwart Margaret Buchan (72) on 20 June 2026 after a short illness.
Such was the quiet bravery with which Margaret and her family faced her final battle at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and latterly at Fraserburgh Hospital some people at the station and community didn’t know how seriously ill she was.
With her family at her bedside in Fraserburgh Hospital, Margaret died on Saturday morning, 20 June, only six weeks after being told of the serious nature of her illness.
‘She really hadn't been very unwell,’ explained David her husband of 52 years, who has also been a Fraserburgh Lifeboat stalwart of over three decades ‘so this has come as a tremendous shock.
‘Margaret was very private about these things, but I'd like it to be known how brave she was. This about sums her up... she didn't even want to bother the nurses.’
The devoted couple first joined the RNLI in the early 1990s. ‘I joined the lifeboat crew in Fraserburgh 32 years ago.‘ said David (72) who has had a lifetime at sea as a fisherman and as an RNLI crew member. ‘When I signed up, Margaret joined the Fraserburgh Ladies Lifeboat Guild - which is now the fundraising branch of the organisation.
‘She has been part of it since then. Then, through her involvement with the RNLI, she joined the Scottish Lifeboat Council, which met a few times a year. She did that for 18 years.’
David who has served Fraserburgh RNLI as a volunteer crew member, mechanic and coxswain, and most recently as a Launch Authority and member of the Lifeboat Management group said that Margaret's decades of dedication and commitment to fundraising were recognised when she was invited to a Royal Garden Party.
‘She was incredibly proud to have been invited to Buckingham Palace,’ said David. ‘Really as a result of all her fundraising. We both loved being part of the RNLI Lifeboat Service, but Margaret was especially dedicated.’
David originally from Peterhead first met Fraserburgh born Margaret in 1970 when they were both seventeen and they started going out together. They got engaged in 1972, were married in 1974 and started a family with the birth of their son Wayne in 1976, when Margaret stopped work, then another son Kevin in 1979 followed by a daughter Sheree in 1986.
Staying in Cairnhill Road, and with husband David away to sea with his father and three brothers on the family boat, Margaret got involved with the ladies' club of her church, and became a parent helper in South Park School.
From the age of six Sheree used to help her mum at RNLI events and activities and when she was old enough, Sheree also joined the fundraising branch as well.
‘Sheree and her mum were very close. It will be difficult for her to keep going with the things they used to do together.’ David said.
Only a few months ago Sheree who has actually been a vital part of our fundraisers for 22 years now was presented with her 20 year long service medal by Lady Saltoun, the chair of the Fundraisers.
Margaret and Sheree also found time to serve on the Fraserburgh Blue Light Festival Committee too, and just last week, in her hospital bed, Margaret was presented with a plaque from Beldie Blackhall of the committee to thank her for 26 years of service.
'Margaret was so selfless and such a help to this community over the years. Such a tremendous loss to Fraserburgh, our church, the Lifeboat and Blue Light Festival, but also for our family. Yes, it's going to be very difficult without her.
'We reached our 52nd anniversary just last week on the 15th of June. I’m so glad she got to that milestone.'
Margaret's funeral will take place on Friday June 26 at 11 in her church, Fraserburgh Parish.
'We're all going to miss her so much, said David, and all her little routines.
'She went to the shop every Thursday morning without fail for her magazines. She loved Chat, and That's Life, because she loved to do the puzzles and quizzes.
Fraserburgh RNLI’s flag has been flying at half mast all week as we honour and treasure Margaret’s memory and remember the noble example she set, her selfless dedication and commitment and the significant contribution she made to the RNLI’s aim to save lives at sea.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact:
Billy Watson, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]
Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]
RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.