Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Tributes for former photographer Craig
Respected Advertiser snapper is laid to rest
The funeral has taken place of a former Advertiser photographer, who went on to achieve national renown as a sports snapper.
Craig Halkett passed away last month, aged 68.
Born and bred in Airdrie, Craig worked at the Advertiser between 1979 and 1983, before moving to our sister paper the Daily Record, where he went on to win many awards for his eye-catching sports shots.
Former Advertiser colleague and fellow photographer Jim Clare called Craig the “best sports photographer ever”.
Jim said: “He was in a league of his own.
“He was confident, determined, knew exactly what he wanted and always got the shot.
“He was voted sport s photographer of the year throughout the late 1980s and in 1988 I asked him, ‘what’s your secret, Craig’? – he told me, and from 1989 until 1994, it was me who was winning awards!”
Craig learned his trade as a teenager, starting at the Record in 1968, where he worked in its Glasgow office darkrooms throughout the 1970s until he moved to his hometown paper.
Dur ing his time at the Advertiser, Craig covered many Airdrieonians matches.
Then-manager and former club chairman Bobby Watson said: “I was saddened to hear of Craig’s passing.
“He was a wonderf u l photographer, a real character and a true Airdrieonian.”
After four years at the Advertiser, Craig spent three years at the Evening Times before returning to the Record as a sports photographer.
He remained there until 2008 and during that time covered numerous major sporting events including several football World Cups.
A grandfather of six and greatgrandfather of one, Craig died suddenly on June 24 after suffering a heart attack. His funeral was held on Friday at Daldowie.
His granddaughter, Victoria Laird, 28, said: “He was at the World Cups in Italy, France, Brazil, and South Korea and won many awards for his photography.”
Craig is survived by his wife of 48 years, Anne, 66, and children Sara, 48, and Julie, 36. His son Tom died last year, aged 41.