SCOTTISH TITLES
. . . we're proud to add this lovely selection
of nostalgic titles depicting
Scotland's rich industrial heritage.
There's a couple of dozen all told.
In the meantime, if you have any queries
about Scottish DVD's in general,
do please ask us.
please note that generally, all are now in DVD,
VHS is almost extinct, and NTSC videos are no longer available,
also, some running times yet to be announced.
Each quoted price is Plus £1.50 for UK p&p ..
do ask us about overseas p&p.
PDC
1004 |
WAVERLEY STEPS (1966)
+ EDINBURGH (1937)
. . .the first directed by John Eldridge; the second by Henry Cooper. A black & white double-film compilation.
The Flying Scotsman arrives at Waverley. The fireman returns to his new bride in their nearby flat. A4 Merlin heads for Haymarket shed past excited young train spotters. See the city at work and play over the next day. The banker, the lecturer, the coalman, the bookie's runner. Dancing, curling, at the Gateway ballet, in the pub, even in the dock for bigamy!
Northern Capital ... Edinburgh filmed in 1966 in technicolor by Edinburgh film makers Campbell Harper and directed by Henry Cooper, tells the history of the city. Jean Gray's 1937 film shows the sights of Edinburgh in glorious black and white. Originally silent, it is presented with music composed and performed by Graham Speedie.
colour and b&w
| 72 | 
DVD
18.99
| PDC
2029 |
LONDON PRIDE . . . A collection of rarely-seen films showing the effect of the blitz on London and its people, and the plans for the post-war regeneration of the City.
Includes: London Can Take It (1940) - GPO Film Unit. Directors Harry Watt & Humphrey Jennings. This film about Londoners under seige during the blitz, seen in the very rare American version, was narrated by American journalist Quentin Reynolds. It was instrumental in persuading the USA to support Britain during World War II. A slightly edited version Britain Can Take It, which was made for the home audience, is available on one of our GPO Classics Series DVDs - Britain At War - Under Fire
The Proud City (1945) - London County Council's plans for re-developing the city. Scored by William Alwyn.
London Airport (1949) - the construction of Heathrow Airport
Moving Millions (1947) - the post war changes in London Transport Journey on a London Bus (1950) - two African students sample the pleasures of travelling on London's buses, "which are always on time"
(we know that this isn't Scotland, but this excellent film comes from the same studio that makes the rest on this page, so is included here, as are some on Wales, etc)
b&w ... now only on DVD
| 67 | 
DVD
18.99
| PDC
2030 |
FISHERMEN AT WAR .. (1940 - 1944) . . . War-time documentaries about the dangers faced in the Atlantic by merchant seamen on convoys and the contribution made to the war effort by all civilian seamen. Trawlermen and merchant seamen brave the perils of the U-boat infested Atlantic during World War II. Four rare films which show the dangers faced at sea, while those at home try to carry on with life as normal.
Sailors Without Uniform (1940) - The lives of British fishemen in war-time. Partly filmed in St Ives, Cornwall and Grimsby.
Fishermen in Exile (1944) - The story of Dutch fishermen that escaped from Holland, carrying on their trade in Britain.
Atlantic Trawler (1944) - Fishermen are constantly under threat in the Atlantic from U-boats and mines. Music score is by William Alwyn.
Merchant Seamen (1941) - A merchant ship is sunk by a U-boat and a young seaman trains as a gunner to seek revenge.
From the Archives of the Imperial War Museum.
b&w
| 63 | 
DVD
18.99
| DVD
PDC
2002
PDC
1005
|
DRIFTERS & CALLER HERRIN' . . . the story of North Sea Herring Fleets in 1929, filmed from Yarmouth and Lowestoft, and some in Shetland. Silent film, with musical accompaniment.
Caller Herrin' was made for the Scottish Home Department in 1947, following the herring boats of Fraserburgh on a typical voyage, and visiting a processing factory. Some footage was also shot in Shetland.
b&w
| 80 | 
DVD
£18.99
| DVD
PDC
2004
|
THE SEA HARVESTERS . . . The Sea Harvesters is an authentic record
of work in the fishing fleets during the 1930s. In this fine collection of films, partly in colour, you will hear fishermen, some of whom were in the films, tell of their experiences of the Scots at Sea in the great days of a lost era of fishing. The films featured are:
Fishing Fleet (1939) about the Seine method used by the Lossiemouth Fleet;
Deep Sea Days (c.1930) depicting life on board a Fleetwood trawler fishing off St Kilda;
Voyage to Stornoway (1930s colour, b/w) a story of the Musselburgh fishing fleet and their annual trip to Stornoway via the Forth and Clyde and Crinan canals to join the herring chase at the start of the season;
Toilers of the Deep (c.1940) which follows the lives of a trawler crew as they set out to sea on a nine day trip;
Ring Net Herring Fishing (1950s colour) which captures the haul of a shoal of herring off the Western Isles;
North Sea Herring Fleet (1943) which follows drift net fishermen at sea and the fisher lassies at Yarmouth.
As featured on BBC Radio Scotland "Travelling Folk"
Music composed and performed by David Allison
Additional music by Fiona M. Simpson
colour & b/w
| 65 | 
DVD
£18.99
| PDC
2007
|
SEAWARDS THE GREAT SHIPS . . . made in technicolour in 1960, and directed by Hilary Harris from a treatment by John Grierson, is an evocative testimony to the achievements of the shipbuilders on the Clyde and to the men of the 'black squads'. It won many awards, including Scotland's first Hollywood Oscar for best live action short film 1961.
River Clyde (1939) the story of the river from source to sea. Directed by Stanley L Russell, made for the Clyde Navigation Trust by Scottish Film Productions. Working life on the river, and along its banks in the graving docks, at Meadowside Granary and in the commercial docks. Dredgers keep the channel clear for pleasure steamers going Doon the Watter, and ocean liners.
On the DVD version, a cinema short, the 11 minute film, Glasgow's Docklands (1956), directed by Wishaw film-maker Enrico Cocozza, is included as a bonus item, making the DVD a full 61 minutes.
colour & b/w
| 61 | 
DVD
£18.99
| DVD
PDC
2025 |
AT THE COAL FACE . . . In the 1940s the mines of Britain were poised for great changes. Generations had faced poor pay and dangerous conditions. Bad management had blighted lives at the coal face. So when a new manager arrives at the Cumberland coal field he has to gain the trust of the miners and their union leaders to strike a new agreement which will pave the way for new equipment and ultimately nationalisation. With miners and management as actors:
The Cumberland Story (1948), directed by Humphrey Jennings, is a true account of the modernisation of the mines in the 1940s. It includes a dramatic reconstruction of the Ladypit disaster of 1837, when callous mine-owners neglected safety and 36 men died as workings beneath the Irish Sea were flooded.
Rhondda and Wye (1948) explores the famous Welsh valleys and contrasts the development of the Rhondda's collieries with the pastoral scenes of the farmlands and plains of the Wye Valley.
b&w only
| 60 | 
DVD
18.99
| DVD
PDC
2021 |
DAVID (1951) . . . is the true story of D.R. Griffiths, a Welsh miner turned school caretaker, also known by his bardic name Amanwy, made for the Welsh Committee of the 1951 Festival of Britain, and filmed in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, with a cast of local people. It was written and produced by Paul Dickson.
Griffith's life story is told against the background of industrial Wales in the first half of the 20th century. The steadfastness of the miners and their love of literature shine through when a tragedy strikes the Griffiths family.
Also includes Face of Wales (1961), showing the lives of several Welshmen working in different jobs, and Miners' Weekend (1948) which visits the Neath and Dulais valleys to see miners making the most of their weekend of leisure.
b&w only now only on DVD
| 72 | 
DVD
£18.99
| PDC
2002 |
DUNDEE ON FILM . . . A unique collection of five classic films, released in their full-length original form, telling the story of Dundee as seen in the late 1930s and during World War II. Looking back at the development of the city of jute, jam, journalism and shipbuilding, re-living the terrible tragedy of the Tay Bridge Disaster. Like almost all of our titles, none of these films have ever been released on VIDEO/DVD before. Opening of Green's Playhouse (1936) Dundee (1939) The Tay Bridge Disaster (reconstruction) Railway Ride over the Tay Bridge (1897) Children of the City (1943)
DVD: No. PDC2002 - region free
| 67 | 
DVD
18.99
| PDC
2022 |
CURTAIN UP . . The story of Edinburgh's Cinemas.
Edinburgh once boasted more than 40 cinemas. Now you can revisit some of the streets where the buildings still stand in this affectionate return to the city of the 1950s in Ian Rintoul's film Edinburgh's Silver Screens.
Includes: Curtain Up the history of the Playhouse from 1929 to 2004, including a film of Laurel and Hardy's visit to Edinburgh in 1932; Edinburgh's Silver Screens a revised version of the video release; and Matinee Memories a trip down memory lane for those who remember the Saturday matinee, based on an exhibition in the Museum of Childhood.
DVD ONLY | 60 | 
18.99
|
PDC
2024 |
TODAY AND EVERY DAY & NORTH BRITISH . . . A rare and believed lost film Today and Every Day made in 1947, covers the history of Britain's railways, and a contemporary account of all aspects of operations on the railway system. It features some of the crack expresses of the day, including the Golden Arrow and a footplate ride on the Cheltenham Flyer. Then a visit to Swindon A shed to see a GWR King class locomotive under construction.
Also included is North British (1949) a look inside the famous Springburn locomotive manufacturing factory, plus Locomotives For the Second Front (1943) a short newsreel item about building War Department Austerity engines at Springburn.
b&w + DVD only | 71 | 
DVD
£18.99
| PDC
2026 |
ABERDEEN & THE SILVER CITY . . . Four superb films about the Granite City. Aberdeen 1906 (1906, b/w) - The visit of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra to the Quatercentenary celebrations at Aberdeen University. This version with commentary by Tom Fleming has not been available before.
The Silver City (1957, colour) - A scandinavian sailor, a honeymoon couple and a family of four explore the delights of Aberdeen and its hinterland. Previously available on VHS video.
Beyond the Grampians (1963, colour) - George Bruce's script evokes the lives of the fishing and farming communities of Aberdeenshire. First time release.
Aberdeen by Seaside and Deeside (1971, colour) - An impressionistic account of the attractions that Aberdeen and Deeside offer the summer visitor. First time release.
mostly colour, some b&w ... DVD ONLY | 73 | 
DVD
18.99
| PDC
2001
|
NIGHT MAIL . . . John Grierson inspired classic 1936 film of the nightly postal express from Euston to Scotland. Directed by Harry Watt and Basil Wright, with music by Benjamin Britten and the famous verse "This is the Night Mail crossing the border ..." by W.H. Auden.
Plus BBC Scotland's tribute to operations on the West Highland Railway filmed in 1960 as steam days drew to a close. Directed and produced by John Gray.
b&w DVD only
| 55 | 
DVD £18.99
| DVD
PDC
2010
PDC
2010
|
TARTAN CLOTH OF A NATION . . . The true story of the history of Tartan. Apollo astronaut Alan McBean lays a piece of McBean tartan on the surface of the Moon to symbolise its universal recognition. The story then unfolds of the origins of the cloth - its earliest discovery in China; its adoption perhaps by Norwegians; and its undisputed role as the cloth which indentifies Scotland to the whole world. Tartan scholar Jamie Scarlett descibes the relation of tartan to the clans and the importance of army patronage to the tartan industry and Brian Wilton of the Scottish Tartans Authority looks at its wider importance to Scotland and its future development.
colour ... DVD
| 55 | 
DVD
£18.99
| DVD
PDC
2005
PDC
2005
|
PORTRAITS OF RAILWAYMEN . . . Four superb films about operations and jobs in the British railway industry in the 1940s and 1950s.
Shunter Black's Night Off (1941) tells the story of a wagon-chaser's heroism in a air-raid on his marshalling yard during the Blitz.
A Ministry of Information Film, made by the Crown Film Unit.
The Railwaymen (1946) explains the workings of Britain's post-war railways and the jobs available in the railway industry, from factory engineer to driver, signalman and porter.
British Locomotives (1959) The BR Modernisation Plan introduced new classes of locomotives for Britain and the world's railways.
DVD is plus a BONUS film (was not available on late VHS version):
Portrait of an Engineer (1954) visits the Vulcan Foundry and follows production engineer Ted Wilson on a typical day in the factory. Many of the processes and skills needed to build locomotives for the world's railways are shown in detail.
highly recommended, the nostalgia here is so thick you can spread it on toast !! Beautifully made films, and the DVD is surprisingly clear and sharp
b&w + colour .... DVD only
| 70 | 
DVD
£18.99
|
PDC
2009
|
THE LONG SPAN . . .
The construction of the world famous Forth Road Bridge, as seen in colour through the cine-camera of Edinburgh film maker Jim Hendry from 1958 to 1964. In The Long Span, often shot from the dizzy heights of the main towers, Jim recorded all the stages in the building of the bridge from the driving in of the first pile to the opening by Queen Elizabeth on September 4th 1964.
FORTH ISLANDS - a tour of the main islands of the Forth: Inchgarvie, Inchcolm, Inchmickery, Inchkeith, The Bass Rock, and The Isle of May, explaining their history, flora and fauna.
colour ... DVD only
| DVD
60
| 
DVD
£18.99
| DVD
PDC
2012
PDC
1028 |
IN GOOD HEART . . . A compilation of five short films portraying the scene on Scottish farms from the 1930s and 1960s. Films made to show the operational details of farming, but which now show a new dimension as we reminisce about methods and equipment now long replaced by technology. Complete with commentaries from farmers of old on the originally silent films, and with alternative commentaries for the sound films on the DVD edition. Never before released on video or DVD:
In Good Heart (1960, colour)
They Made The Land (1938)
Grain Harvest (1936)
The Farmer's Boy (1938)
Winter On The Farm (1934)
colour & b/w ... DVD
| 65 | 
DVD
£18.99
| DVD
PDC
2013
|
HARVESTS OF THE SOIL
. . . More compilation films of scenes on Scottish farms from the four decades of the 1930s to the 1960s. Complete with commentaries from old farmers on the orignally silent films and additional commentaries on the sound films on the DVD edition. Never before released on video or DVD:
Ayrshire Dairy Farmer (1967, colour)
A Farm Is Reclaimed (1945)
Haymaking (1934)
Harvests of the Soil (1937)
Scottish Ploughman (1955, colour)
colour & b/w DVD only
| 62 | 
DVD
£18.99
|
PDC
2006
|
THE CROWN OF THE YEAR . . . This programme features a set of four films covering the seasons of the year made on British farms during 1941 and 1942. These films, starting with Winter on the Farm, cover the year's activities on a selection of British farms when there was great pressure to maximize the yields from the land. Land Girls are seen at work, and the increasing use of mechanisation is evident, although horses still held their own when the land was hard to work. The set continues with Spring on the Farm, Summer on the Farm, and culminates in the autumn harvest at the Crown of the Year.
Winter on the Farm - Upton Manor Farm, Dorset
Spring on the Farm - Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
Summer on the Farm - Lancashire and Cheshire
The Crown of the Year - Harvest time in East Norfolk
b&w only ... DVD only
| 60 | 
DVD
£18.99
| DVD
PDC
2011
|
THE GOOD SERVANT . . . The Clydesdale, once a common sight on all farms as the prime source of power, has long been overtaken by mechanisation. This fine collection of films, on DVD for the first time, reminds us of a past era. None of these films have ever been released on DVD before.
Spring in Galloway (c.1930 silent with music)
The Good Servant (colour, 1958)
Spring in the Fields (1936, silent with music)
Horse in Harness (1934, silent with music)
Champions in the Sun (1964)
colour & b/w DVD only
| 55 | 
DVD
£18.99
| DVD
PDC
|
SCENIC BRANCHLINES OF DEVON & CORNWALL
. . . A collection of films made by Westward Television and Television South West in 1975 and 1990 respectively. Each film takes us on a trip along one of the beautiful lines, which are viewed from the cabs of the first generation British Rail diesel multiple units (DMUs) and lineside.
Made in support of retaining these important lines, all of which survive today, they show the scenery and the value to their communities.
b&w and colour on DVD
| 71 | 
DVD
£18.99
|
DVD
CO102D
|
PUFFER AFLOAT Vol 1 . . . A series of scenic videos with background music & no commentary. A trip aboard a surviving steam puffer from Crinan, through the Crinan Canal to Tarbert, Tighnabruaich, Rothesay & the Isles of Bute, Cumbrae & Arran.
Superb relaxation or what !
DVD only
| 52 | 
£14.99
|
DVD
CO103D
|
PUFFERS Vol 2 . . . Combines the steam train from Fort William to Mallaig, & the puffer from Loch Linnhe through the locks & lochs of the Caledonian Canal.
It just gets better !
DVD only
| 53 |
£14.99
|
DVD
CO115D
|
WESTERN ISLES . . . In the same mode and format as Vol 1, we sail from Skye to visit the Isles of Harris, Lewis, Scalpay, Berneray, North & South Uist, Eriskay & the Isle of Barra.
A lovely tour of some of the best scenery in Europe.
DVD only
| 53 |
£14.99
|
DVD
CO116D
|
WAVERLEY . . . A sail down the Clyde on the only remaining ocean going paddle steamer in the world & visiting Greenock, Largs, Girvan, Ailsa Craig, Millport, Isle of Cumbrae, Brodick, Holy Isle, Isle of Arran, Helensburgh, Dunoon & Rothesay.
Step back in time, and re-live the days of steam on the water.
DVD only
| 60 |
£14.99
|
DVD
CO117D
|
WAVERLEY IN THE HEBRIDES . . . Again, this DVD features the paddle steamer Waverley, cruising in the spectacular scenery of the Hebrides. In and out of the islands, enjoying the best of what the west of Scotland has to offer. The atmosphere is amazing, and oozes nostalgia for a time long past, and yet within living memory.
DVD only
| 60 |
£14.99
|
|
