Doug Carnegie, 88, photographer with eyes on Troubles and heart on family

Doug Carnegie, a former photographer who was behind the lens at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and a major city tragedy, has died aged 88.

Mr Carnegie’s career began at DC Thomson in Dundee. In 1948, at the age of 17, he became a photographer for the Evening Express.

He joined the Daily Mail in 1961 before moving to Northern Ireland, employed at the Belfast Telegraph.

Doug was involved with capturing images of the conflict between republicans and unionists in the province.

He moved to Aberdeen Journals in 1971 and stayed until his retirement in 1996.

During his time with the Evening Express, he was the first photographer on the scene following a gas explosion at the Royal Darroch Hotel in Cults on October 25 1983.

Six people died in the blaze and the three-storey inn was destroyed as a result of the blast.

His photographs from that tragic day led him to win the title of Provincial Photographer of the Year for 1984, an honour he received at an awards ceremony in London.

Doug also came to know the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson while he was the manager of the Dons as they enjoyed a period of great success under the Glaswegian.

Away from work, Doug was a family man. He married Rita in Dundee in 1957 and they had three children – Derek, Audrey and Gillian.

Rita said the pair met on a night out in the city and were into their 63rd year as a married couple.

She said he was always willing to help the young members of staff at Aberdeen Journals.

Rita, 84, said: “We would have been married 63 years on June 1. We met at the dancing in Dundee and we did a lot of dancing.

“A lot of the cards sent in said he was really helpful to a lot of the young photographers at Aberdeen Journals.

“He enjoyed his job, the variety, and he knew so many people.”

Doug and his brother Bruce grew up in Invergowrie, with their childhood home overlooking the River Tay.

His father worked with the printers at DC Thomson and Doug followed him into the business, albeit as a photographer.

Doug was also a keen golfer, playing three times a week, and he enjoyed watching his grandson Adam Reid, 20, play football – even comparing him to superstars David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

A fall at his home in Cults led to Doug being moved into the Kingswells Care Home in November last year.

His funeral took place at the Baldarroch Crematorium earlier this month.

His daughter Audrey, 57, said her late father had learned he was going to be a great-grandfather in March as his granddaughter Laura Ritchie told him her good news.

She said: “My daughter Laura told him he was going to be a great-grandad to twins.

“He was a family man and a big kid at heart. He was great with us as children and would always have us away on caravan holidays.

“My dad enjoyed playing golf with his grandson and he taught my daughter to tie her shoe laces.

“He was a very good father and grandfather and always did things his way. He was a one-off.”

Doug is survived by his wife and children, and grandchildren Laura and Adam.

Doug Carnegie as a young photographer.