TRIBUTES have been paid to East Lothian artist Andrew Hillhouse, who passed away on Sunday aged 53.

Mr Hillhouse, who created several stunning pieces of work depicting the Battle of Prestonpans, lived in Cockenzie with wife Vicky. They had one son, Gus.

Author Arran Johnston from the Battle of Prestonpans Heritage Trust recalled meeting Mr Hillhouse when he approached him about using one of his paintings in his first book.

They would go on to collaborate on a series of paintings he was commissioned to produce by the trust about the famous battle.

East Lothian Courier:

A painting by Andrew Hillhouse of the Battle of Prestonpans

Mr Johnston told the Courier: “Andy’s legacy will live on in his paintings, which can be found in museums and interpretation boards as well as on the pages of history books.”

The Waggonway Heritage Group, which aims to the preserve the 1722 Tranent-Cockenzie Waggonway, paid tribute to Mr Hillhouse as “a great talent who has left an inspiring visual legacy”.

While the battle trust said in a statement: “Andy knew and loved the battlefield and we are very proud to have commissioned from him the dramatic series of large paintings about the Battle of Prestonpans which now hang in the Prestoungrange Gothenburg [pub].

"He was a great friend to the trust over many years, and an outspoken advocate of the protection of the battlefield when it was under the greatest threat.

“Andy’s love of history shines through so many of his great works, and he will be sadly missed in his community.

“He leaves us a wonderful legacy in his art. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

News of Mr Hillhouse’s death was announced by the Society of William Wallace, where he was artist-in-residence.

The society said: “Andy’s work is such an inspiration but it wasn’t just that, he was one of the nicest guys we have ever met.

“He has his drawings at Falkirk and also London on plaques and the Bell O’ The Brae Monument so he has left a lifelong legacy that his family and friends can remember him by.”

Employed throughout his career as an architectural technician producing highly detailed architectural drawings for private companies, local authorities and government bodies, Mr Hillhouse’s passion lay in art and Scottish history and he produced a wide range of artwork on William Wallace and the Scottish Wars of Independence.

He worked producing illustrations for historic books and graphic novels and was commissioned by the Battle of Prestonpans Trust to create large pieces of artwork which can be seen in the town.

He was even briefly, according to his website, the official artist to Jonah Lomu, the New Zealand rugby legend.

In more recent years, Mr Hillhouse had launched a website where prints of his artwork were available.

To see more of his work, go to www.andrewhillhouseprints.co.uk