Haddington: Pipe band’s photo calendar ‘coup’

Nick Callaghan has worked with a wide range of top companies, including Marks and Spencer, Hilton Hotels, Pernod Ricard, Marriot, Ardbeg and Scottish Power.

Now he is again joining forces with Haddington Pipe Band to shoot the charity’s 2024 calendar.

The Haddington-based photographer worked on all the band’s early calendars, only stepping down when the success of his business, including extensive foreign travel and an intense schedule, left him too little time to support the band’s project.

Among his memorable shots was the Iwo Jima-inspired raising of the Saltire on Traprain Law.

Alastair Bruce, from the pipe band, was delighted that Nick would again be involved.

He said: “The quality of Nick’s work is absolutely outstanding and we are thrilled he has offered to work with us on the 2024 calendar photography. This is a real coup for us and we know that the creativity and professionalism which Nick brings to the project will result in a wonderful calendar for 2024.

“As in previous years when he worked with us, Nick will do the photography at no cost to the band, which is an amazing gesture for which we are extremely grateful.

“The band is a charity which relies on its own fundraising efforts to finance uniforms, instruments, tuition and other expenses, and the money we raise from the calendar is a very important part of that fundraising.”

Planning for next year’s calendar has already begun and, while details of the final photographs are always kept under wraps until the launch, residents may see some of the photoshoots taking place.

The calendar, which jets its way to Australia, India, Spain, Canada and the USA, is likely to be published in October and Nick was looking forward to getting involved.

He said: “Having lived in Haddington all my life, I know just what a great organisation the band is.

“Working with them on the calendar photographs is always great fun and I am really looking forward to the photoshoots over the coming months.”