“The Last Goodbye” a very poignant set of words 14 years later. A Tribute to Allen McLaughlin
My good friend Allen McLaughlin has sadly passed away after years struggling with type two diabetes. Ex STV and until recently BBC Scotland cameraman for 25 years, Allen was very passionate about his work, aeroplanes and did a lot of independent filming and reviews for HD Warrior.
His knowledge on cameras was second to none, always looking out for the perfect camcorder for ENG or Cinematic work. We go back over fifteen years thanks to an introduction from Stewart McKenzie. Allen had a wicked sense of humour calling himself the “No legged philosopher” on his WhatsApp page.
The Last Goodbye a short internet film filmed by Allen with his good friend Hugh Creaney, directed by Michael Hines. Filmed during 2012 it has flavours of Bill Forsyth with two very new actors Helen Ward Mcalpine and James Mackenzie who would both become very accomplished in their own right.
Allen developed type 2 diabetes, which is usually managed with diet, exercise, and medication such as Metformin, and later insulin. Although his condition progressed in a typical way, he suffered severe foot problems that led to the amputation of one leg. Even so, he maintained a positive outlook, joking about his circumstances and opening up to friends.
On 25 May 2025, Allen was admitted to hospital in a critical condition but made a remarkable recovery. However, his remaining leg became badly infected, putting further strain on his body. He was transferred to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where doctors decided to amputate his second leg. This also led to him needing dialysis three times a week, which was very demanding physically, though he continued to fight to maintain his independence.
Allen and I had a good laugh over his dialysis machine it has a reading called the DIP mode, I would come into his room and if Allen was on the machine I would ask him “So how dippy are you today”. Then read out the DIP mode number and have a good laugh. It was our similar sense of humour that made our friendship.
A BBC friend named Kieran Farrar started a GoFundMe to help with costs such as installing a stairlift in his home. As an aside it’s incredible that someone can have both legs removed and they still have to pay £6000 out of their own pocket to have a stair lift installed !!! Things seemed stable for a while, but last month Allen was readmitted to hospital for further tests, by which point his health had significantly deteriorated.
On a lighter note, Allen filming the Melrose Sevens rugby match with the BBC as you can see Allen had a fantastic sense of humour.
At the last count Kieran had 97 pictures of Allen from various members of the BBC, STV and independent film makers. He was well loved by all who worked with him, remembered for his warmth, professionalism, and the positive spirit he brought to every day.
NOTE: The grey arrows indicate more photographs. Allen was a Paisley boy at heart, even supporting the local team St. Mirren which his brother Barry used to play for twenty four years ago.
April 2014 at Glasgow airport, Allen was filming the 10th anniversary of the Emirates Airbus arriving at the airport. I was reviewing the Panasonic PX270 camcorder. Allen was daft about aviation.
We were blessed with good weather that day at the airport and as usual Allen put in a good word for us with the airport authorities and a heads up about the occasion itself.
Allen filming the Queens funeral in Edinburgh during September 2022
Allen’s knowledge of cameras was unparalleled and gave me a fantastic overview of the new Sony NX3 camcorder.
A great evening at the STV reunion, two former cameramen from STV, Allen was a former employee while I was a freelance cameraman mainly covering football and news.
Down at Luss pier, Loch Lomond. Allen was in his element going over the Panasonic DVX-200 from an ENG perspective. I had been sent a review camcorder from Panasonic and Allen had told me he really fancied this camcorder. His review went down a storm.
Allen like most of us liked to have a wee beer after a hard days work, I like this because it’s Allen at his happiest, drinking with the lads.
I will end with what Allen said about his brother Barry, Allen was so proud of Barry’s achievements both on and off the football field. He was Allens super hero and after watching them together in that hospital room I could see why. It’s been hard for me to write this about my dear friend Allen knowing I will never see him again but thankfully for all of us Allen has left a legacy with his video reviews that I will embed for all of you to remember my own super hero.
I did this for Allen and he loved it so much so he made it his Avatar on WhatsApp. Can I thank Allen’s colleagues for allowing me to use their pictures on HD Warrior, he ment a lot to all of us.
Here is a brilliant section on BBC Scotland last Friday that’s been edited to remove copyrighted football footage and the music replaced with non copyright music. Sorry about Amy’s voice but I could not get a clean feed. The two shots at the end are a testimony to the man himself and how much he will be missed by his fellow crew members.
I am so very sorry and very saddened to hear about Allen’s passing. I remember him well in your videos and even without replaying the videos, I can recall his calm and soothing voice. Please accept my deepest condolences and kindly pass them on to his family and let them know that he reached and influenced as far as Japan through your videos.
Allen will be sorely missed. I can’t even think about it without feeling like there’s a big hole left in my heart 💔
You and I have never met, but he spoke about you often and thoroughly loved working with you on these reviews. He and I made many short films and documentaries together, with his beloved Panasonic. When I think of him, more than anything I think of cracking up with laughter after I’d shout “Cut” and he’d quip some witty one-liner over the top of that camera.
We’ve all lost a good friend, and for me I’ve also lost a partner in mischief. My beloved Cinematographer. One of the most creative, collaborative supportive friends I’ll ever get up to mischief with.
I was so touched and thrilled to read your amazing words. Allen was my oldest and dearest friend of almost 50 years. He still is! It’s with a huge sense of pride that I see the high esteem in which he was held by his colleagues in the ‘camera world’. It only seems like yesterday that the young lad decided to get himself a second (probably third) hand video camera and learn how to work it. He came such a very long way. A couple of weeks before he passed we were together in his flat in Gallowhill watching the football. I looked at him and said, laughing – “you’re filming this, aren’t you?” He was indeed directing the camera team in his head!
The loss of my best pal is profound and at times unbearable. I’m grateful to you for this wonderful tribute to the clever, kind, strong and funny bugger I love so much.