Culture & Tradition

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.
DVD running time: 40 mins colour.

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.

DVD running time: 78 mins colour.

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

DVD 1: Seven films made under 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.

DVD 2: A collection of mainly amateur films, some in colour, shot at or around the time of the Exhibition. Includes the visit of the King and Queen.
Running time: 55 mins b/w & colour.

Total running time: 2 hr 34 mins.

Buy 4 Films of Scotland DVDs for the price of 3 - valid until November 30th.
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One of our most popular titles, Waverley Steps, John Eldridge's classic view of Edinburgh in 1948 produced for the first Edinburgh International Film Festival, makes its DVD debut. Centered around a day in the life of a railway fireman and other residents of Edinburgh. Recorded using location sound it offers a fly-on-the-wall view of Edinburgh life in a more leisurely era long gone. One of the classic documentaries.

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

DVD running time: 72 mins colour & b/w.

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.

DVD running time: 72 mins b/w.

A Collection of films made for the 1951 Festival of Britain. Includes Festival in London, a colourful introduction to the exhibition, with William Alwyn's superb Festival March.

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.

DVD running time: 86 mins colour & b/w.

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"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.

DVD running time: 56 mins colour.

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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.

DVD running time: 55 mins colour.

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