It was in 1973 that Peter Anson first offered four hundred of his paintings to the people of Buckie where, in his words:
"I first lost my heart to Scots fisher folk."
The paintings, which showed scenes of fishing life from around Scotland, but mainly of the Moray Firth coast, had mostly been painted between 1969 and 1973. A few dating back to the 1920's were also included, and they were all presented by Peter Anson to the Burgh Council of Buckie for display in their newly opened Maritime Museum in the Town House, Cluny Square.
An additional four hundred and thirty of Peter Anson's works were acquired by Moray District Council in 1979, four years after his death, on loan from the Abbot of Sancta Maria Abbey at Nunraw in East Lothian, who was bequeathed the copyright of all Anson's works.
Included with that collection was an archive of personal papers, including diaries, letters, manuscripts and his personal library of books.
In 1994 a new Anson Gallery was created.