TRIBUTE has been paid to East Lothian amateur photographer Angus Bathgate, who has died at the age of 85.
Mr Bathgate, from Wallyford, passed away at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on Monday.
Friend Alister Hadden, who attended the former Crookston School at Wallyford with Mr Bathgate, described him as "a legend who will be sorely missed by all who knew him".
Mr Bathgate captured local events, ceremonies and projects on camera, ensuring they were recorded for posterity.
His work was regularly published in the East Lothian Courier and Musselburgh Courier.
Prior to his retirement, he was a marine engineer, working for an engineering company.
Mr Hadden, honorary member of the Old Musselburgh Club, chairman of the Musselburgh Museum and Heritage Group, treasurer of the Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield Group, vice-chair of Musselburgh Area Partnership, president of Musselburgh Probus Club and a former chairperson of Wallyford Community Council, said: "It would definitely be very difficult to meet such a legend and very helpful individual than Angus Bathgate who was willing to help with his passion for photography.
"You just needed to mention to Angus about an event or occasion and he was there with his camera, capturing the moment in time forever for people to treasure in their memory.
"Having had the pleasure of working with Angus over many decades, mostly within Wallyford and Musselburgh, he was there at the unveiling of the Wallyford Mining Memorial stone in 2010, then capturing the coal mining hutches being installed at either side of the stone. He also contributed with his knowledge to the information board on mining located behind the store.
"He attended every Wallyford Christmas parade for the switching on of the Christmas lights, along with every Wallyford Gala Day in June, each anniversary of the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh on September 10, and the David Macbeth Moir annual wreath-laying ceremony at Mall Avenue in Musselburgh every January.
"When Wallyford Community Council replaced the Wallyford Miners' Institute stone, that was above the entrance door of the institute grounds where the institute once stood, Angus was there with his camera for the unveiling ceremony.
"Also, when the replica steam locomotive, called locally the pug, was being built, he captured every step of progress at the blacksmith's workshop right through to its unveiling by Provost John McMillan in March 2020.
"He was present at the annual Armistice Day service at the Crookston War Memorial at Inveresk Cemetery each year since 2014 and the 100th anniversary of the Great War, which was special for us, having both attended Crookston School. The war memorial previously stood at the entrance to the school doors and we passed it each day going in for our lessons.
"Angus also photographed the lighting of the beacon to mark the anniversary of the end of the Great War on the green at the bottom of St Clements housing estate, where we held a remembrance service."
Mr Hadden added: "He also enjoyed going on the history walks around Wallyford during East Lothian Council's archaeology fortnight and contributing massively to those attending, as he was also an authority on coal mining and the brickworks, along with other local history. He contributed to the Wallyford history book that was given out to residents within Wallyford.
"He had his calendar all marked up for these events, along with many others, such as the lifting out and in of the boats at Fisherrow Harbour, the annual Musselburgh Festival organised by the Honest Toun's Association, planting of potatoes by local farmer and friend Jim Braes at Barbachlaw Farm, going up to St Clements Farm to get photos of the lambing taking place and the young lambs springing around the fields.
"He would go to Wallyford Community Centre to take photos of the youngsters being awarded their prizes for their archery achievements and at Stuart Durham's retirement event.
"These are just a few of his calendar dates for taking photos amidst the seasonal photos of winter snow and spring colours in and around the county of East Lothian.
"The beauty of this man's photography talents was also shared with everyone on the local Wallyford Memories Facebook page, in the Musselburgh Courier, East Lothian Courier, family and friends.
"He is someone who has contributed massively to individuals and community alike, and will be sadly and sorely missed by all who knew him."
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