Synopsis

With its roots in religious festivals and ancient rituals to lure the sun back as it fell lower and lower in the winter sky, Hogmanay is a uniquely Scottish New Year festival known throughout the world.

Jimmy Reid, with the help of folk maestros the Whistlebinkies, Robin Hall, Jack House and Archie Roy, delves into the origins of the traditions as they are practised in different parts of Scotland.

The first foot, the clootie dumpling, the Fireballs of Stonehaven, the torches of Comrie, and the bonfire at Biggar are all seen, as is Up-Helly-Aa, Shetland's festival of Vikings and Guizers.

Synopsis

No other country is so readily identified with its national dress as Scotland is with Tartan. Now for the first time on film, its history and industries are placed on record.

The connection between the contemporary wearing of tartan and men's desire to be associated with groups of like-minded people demonstrates that tartan truly is the Cloth of a Nation.

Made in association with the Scottish Tartans Authority, The Moffat Woollen Mill, and The Weaver's Cottage Kilbarchan.

Includes an interview with renowned tartan authority, the late James D Scarlett, MBE.

Synopsis

Featuring St Mary's Cathedral, its friends, and its tranquil surroundings in a heartening feast of music for Christmas. With Matthew Owens, organ, Susan Hamilton, soprano, The Holyrood Clarsach Trio, and readings by Alexander McCall Smith.

Programme includes: Once in Royal David's City; In the bleak mid-winter; Adam lay ybounden; Of the Father's heart begotten; Nativity carol; Ding dong! merrily on high; Noel nouvelet; It came upon a midnight clear; The holy boy; Away in a manger; O little town of Bethlehem; Still the night; Shepherd's pipe carol; Balulalow; Maria Wiegenlied; Angelus ad virginem; O come all ye faithful; Hark! the herald angels sing.

Synopsis

In the 1960s the British Government, through the Central Office of Information (COI), produced an unprecented number of films for overseas distribution. Essentially designed to promote British values abroad, the cinemagazine, a light magazine-style treatment of topical stories, had proved popular with cinema audiences since the 1920s and could now cross over between cinema and television for optimal distribution.

"Colour and action are the keynotes of the series." So ran Central Office of Information (COI) publicity for Roundabout (1962-1974), a monthly cinemagazine produced specifically for cinema distribution in South and South East Asia and issued in eight languages, including Burmese and Mandarin Chinese (sub-titled). Now these stunning short films not only reflect life in Britain in the 1960s, but how the British wished to be perceived.

Synopsis

A 2-Disc compilation of films made at and for the Empire Exhibition of 1938, which was held in Glasgow.

Disc 1: Seven films made under the auspices of the first Films of Scotland Committee with the direction of John Grierson to spotlight Scotland:
Face of Scotland: About the character of the Scottish people. With the voice of John Grierson as John Knox.
Wealth of a Nation: A comparison of old and new industries of Scotland.
Scotland for Fitness: Made to encourage a healthier population.
They Made the Land: The struggle to live from the land and reclaim it from the elements.
Sea Food: The story of drifters, lobster creels and the Marine Laboratory's role.
The Children's Story: The history of Scottish education, including a BBC schools broadcast.
Sport in Scotland: On the grouse moor, at the Highland games or at the 1937 Scottish Cup Final, this film shows the importance of sport to the Scots.

Running time: 1 hr 39 mins b/w.

Disc 2: A collection of mainly amateur films, some in colour, shot at or around the time of the Exhibition. With piano accompaniment on the silent films by Mike Nolan. Includes the following films.
World of Steel: Sponsored by Colvilles Limilted. Features the Dalzell Steel and Iron Works at Motherwell, and the Lanarkshire Steel Company's mill and shows the UKs largest girder being rolled for the Exhibition Tower.
Empire Exhibition Scotland 1938 (1937, b/w, silent): An amateur newsreel-style film of the progress in building the Empire Exhibition.
Sketch Plan of the Exhibition (1938, colour, silent): This personal film, belonging to architect Thomas S Tait, records him at work on plans for the Exhibition.
The King and Queen Visit the Empire Exhibition (1938, b/w, silent): Shows traffic enroute to Bellahouston Park, trams on Mosspark Boulevard and the arrival of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the United Kingdom Pavilion.
A Visit to the Empire Exhibition (1938, colour, silent): Filmed by Mr D Campbell, showing his family's day out at the Exhibition, with informative inter-titles, showing Tait's Tower, the Clachan, a re-creation of a highland village, the amusement park, and various Pavilions.
Empire Exhibition (1938, colour, silent): Filmed by James Blair. Includes views of the Pavilions and the innovative "Dancing Waters" shown by night with the multi-coloured fountain displays beautifully captured in rich hues.

Running time: 55 mins b/w & colour.

Total running time: 2 hr 34 mins.

Synopsis

Edinburgh filmed in 1966 in technicolor by Edinburgh film makers Campbell Harper and directed by Henry Cooper, tells the history of the city. Click here for film clip from Edinburgh.

Jean L Gray's film Northern Capital, a loving postcard from 1937, shows the sights of Edinburgh in glorious black and white. Originally silent, it is presented with music composed and performed by Graham Speedie.

Synopsis

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 features Amanwy at the National Eisteddfod of Wales at Aberavon.

Also includes Face of Wales (1961), alternative title Cardiff, 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.

Synopsis

Brief City was made by The Observer during the last two weeks of the exhibition before it vanished forever. This film was Richard Massingham's last production.

Family Portrait was the last film written and directed by Humphrey Jennings. Looking back at the history of Britain, the film turns over the pages of history as someone might browse through a family album. Jennings also considers the importance of Europe to the country's future.

Designed in Britain is a bonus film which offers an imaginative impression of British Design. Terence Conran was technical advisor.