A STUNNING photograph of St Mary’s Parish Church, taken by an American woman, has been praised by the British Embassy in the US capital.

Patti Lynn Miller’s picture of the Haddington church and the neighbouring River Tyne caught the eye of members of the public online.

The British Embassy Washington DC ran a competition on Twitter asking people to post pictures from their trips to Britain to mark National Photo Day.

Patti Lynn, from Virginia, submitted the photograph of the picturesque scene. Although she did not win, her image was shortlisted and described as a “beautiful shot” by the embassy.

She said: “I took the photo in September 2016 during the Lammermuir Festival. I was staying in a holiday let just across the Nungate Bridge and so crossed the bridge multiple times every day.

“I was just lucky with the light!”

However, it is far from the only time that the 62-year-old has visited East Lothian and Haddington.

Patti Lynn, who is a member of staff at a large law firm in Washington, told the Courier: “My first visit to Haddington in August 1990 was part of an American church choir tour.

“We spent a long weekend in Haddington, sang at St Mary’s (and St Giles in Edinburgh), and were hosted by members of the church.

“I fell in love with Haddington and we were made so welcome.

“I returned regularly.

“Then, 11 years ago, I began visiting for the Lammermuir Festival and made many new friends there.

“I’ve been able to attend each festival since.

“The coronavirus pandemic has made it impossible to visit this year.

“The festival has been moved online, there are travel restrictions and quarantines in place on both sides, and I’ve been unable to renew my passport due to US Passport Office closures.”

East Lothian Provost John McMillan, an elder at the Sidegate church, was pleased to see the picture being recognised in the American capital.

The councillor, who represents Haddington and Lammermuir on the local authority, said: “To have St Mary’s recognised in Washington DC by the British Embassy was excellent.”