26/03/2008

A Lifetime Achievement award is being conferred this evening on a photographer boasting a 57 year-long career.

Denis Straughan is to receive the accolade at the First ScotRail Press Photography Awards, taking place at the Mitchell Theatre, in Glasgow, and which attracted some 3000 entries.
 
Straughan, who was with The Scotsman for more than four decades, was born in Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1935. He joined the Berwick Advertiser as a press photographer at the age of 15. He joined The Scotsman’s picture desk in 1957, retiring - as senior photographer - nine years ago.

He considers his most famous shot being that of Scottish football fans celebrating an away win over England by clambering over - and eventually destroying - the stadium’s goalposts.

He says of his Wembley pic, taken on June 4 1977, after a 2-1 win for Scotland: “I knew straight away I’d got a great shot. That picture has been published around the world – in fact The Scotsman still sells copies of it.” 

A selection of Denis’ images will feature in First ScotRail’s touring exhibition of winning pictures later this year.
 
Straughan’s portfolio includes Elizabeth Taylor, during a visit to Edinburgh; the Rolling Stones at the beginning of their career; The Beatles in Edinburgh’s ABC Theatre; actors, Sir John Gielgud and Sir John Mills; the QE2 in Scottish waters; Margaret Thatcher at RAF Leuchars; Lady Diana and Prince Charles’ marriage; and various sports stars.

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