Synopsis

A collection of films celebrating the achievements of the Scottish textile industry.

Royal Occasion June 22nd 1955 (1955) H M Queen Elizabeth and H R H Duke of Edinburgh, with Lord Provost Andrew Hood, visited carpet manufacturers James Templeton & Co of Glasgow in 1955. Produced by Templar Film Studios for Templeton & Co. Running time 9 mins.

From Glasgow Green to Bendigo (1961) A promotional film showing carpet manufacturing processes in the James Templeton factory, Glasgow. Directed by Robert Irvine. Camera Eddie Harp, Jim Goding. Editor Ron Trainer. Commentary written and spoken by Stuart Legg from a treatment by P. A. I. Rogers. Produced by Anglo Scottish Pictures for Films of Scotland. Running time: 18 mins, colour.

Weave me a Rainbow (1962) An award winning feature on the Scottish Woolllen industry. Directed by Edward McConnell. Assistant editor Cyril McConnell. Unit Manager Anne Eaton. Sound recording by James McKee. Animation by Halas and Batchelor. Music by Frank Spedding, conducted by Marcus Dods. Commentary spoken by Henry Donald. Produced by Templar Film Studios for Films of Scotland and the National Associaton of Scottish Woollen Manufacturers. Running time: 30 mins, colour.

Fine Floors (1963) Made to promote Kirkcaldy linoleum manufacturer Michael Nairn and Co Ltd, it shows the manufacturing processes and highlights the export trade of the company. Colour consultant Alexander C. Hardy, University of Cambridge. Running time: 26 mins, colour.

Island of the Big Cloth (Clo Mhor) (1971) The story of Harris Tweed and the life of the islanders who produce it. Produced by IFA (Scotland) for Films of Scotland and the Harris Tweed Association. Directed and photographed by Edward McConnell from a treatment by Murray Grigor. Commentary written by Charles Gormley. Running time: 22 mins, colour, Techniscope 2.35:1 Widescreen.

Synopsis

A collection of industrial films celebrating the achievements of Scottish engineering companies.

Rivers At Work (1958) The story of the electrification of the Highlands by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board. Commentary by John Grierson. Running time: 20 mins, colour. Produced by Green Park Productions for Films of Scotland and North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.

Central Scotland (1962) A regional geography film covering the area bounded by lines from Stonehaven to Helensburgh and Girvan to Dunbar. It looks at various industries in this central belt - steel, engineering, shipbuilding, thread and textiles, coal, electricity, oil, plastics, and farming. Running time: 20 mins, colour. Produced by Park Film Studios for Educational Films of Scotland.

Young in Heart (1963) The development and production of the Hillman Imp car at the Linwood industrial plant, starring Bill (Dr Finlay) Simpson. Running time: 24 mins, colour. Produced by Glasgow Films for Films of Scotland and the Rootes Group.

The Invergordon Smelter (1972) The conception and construction of the aluminium smelter at Invergordon. Running time: 20 mins, colour. Produced by Ogam Films for Films of Scotland and the British Aluminium Co. Ltd.

The Clyde Estuary (1975) An educational film tracing the history of shipping and the shipbuilding industries on the Clyde estuary. Running time: 16 mins, colour. Produced by SEFA (Glasgow Group).

Synopsis

A collection of promotional films made by Stanley L Russell for Scottish engineering companies. The programme comprises:
Men of Iron (c. 1947, b/w) - An overview of iron propellor manufacture at the Blair Foundry of Andrew Strang & Co, Hurlford in Ayrshire.
A Romance of Engineering (1938, b/w) - Made for screening at the 1938 Empire Exhibition, this film shows the production of steel components at William Beardmore & Co's Parkhead Forge.
James Watt (1959, b/w) - A film about the life and work of the inventor of steam engines, James Watt.
Story of a Steel Wire Rope (1946, b/w) - An illustration of the manufacture of Martin Black & Company's wire ropes, highlighting all the various processes involved in production and testing.

Synopsis

Two films about the construction of major Hydro Electric Schemes in Scotland. The programme comprises:
The Moriston Project (1956, b/w) - This fully detailed film is the story of the construction of the Glen Moriston hydro electric dam by Mitchell Construction Co, from the start in 1952 to its completion in 1956. It shows all stages of the construction of the scheme and doesn't forget to highlight the hard work ethos, and the harsh conditions, especially underground, which the workmen had to endure.
Cruachan (1966, colour) - "Cruachan" is the story of the construction of the Cruachan pumped-storage Hydro-Electric Scheme, one of the most ambitious schemes of its time. All stages of the construction are detailed in this meticulously produced colour film in what became known as "The Hollow Mountain" at Ben Cruachan, Loch Awe, Argyll. Full details are shown of the steel foundry making and finishing of stainless steel castings, construction of steel cables, circuit breakers and switchgear, as well as steel pylons and electrical conductors in snowy conditions. Scenes are also shown of heavy equipment being transported to the site.

Synopsis

A collection of promotional films celebrating the steel and iron works of industrial Scotland in the 1960s and 1970s:

Make Way For Steel (1966, colour) - The construction for David Colvilles Limited of the steel works at Ravenscraig and the mill at Gartcosh. Shows all stages in the construction of these impressive plants including the use of caterpillar bulldozers to prepare the sites.
Produced by Templar Film Studios for Films of Scotland, and Colvilles Ltd.

Lanarkshire Steelworks (1975, b/w & colour) - The operation of Colvilles Lanarkshire Steelworks. The whole steel making process is followed, with close-ups of the engine supplying power to the works.

The Big Mill (1963, colour) - Award winning film on the production of sheet metal at Colvilles' Ravenscraig and Gartcosh works. We see a thick slab of steel rolled at fantastic speed to become a thin coil of steel four miles long.
Produced by Templar Film Studios for Films of Scotland, and Colvilles Ltd.

Fullwood Foundries Mossend (c. 1970, b/w & colour) - A detailed description of old and new methods of making cast iron moulds for the steelworks, with views around the Fullwood Iron Foundry, Mossend, New Stevenston.

Synopsis

Synopsis

The DVD also includes Forth Islands, the history and flora and fauna of Inchgarvie, Inchmickery, Inchkeith, Inchcolm, the Bass Rock and the Isle of May, filmed by Brian Cairney.

Synopsis

Seawards The Great Ships (1960). Made for Films of Scotland and the Clyde Shipbuilders Association. Produced by Templar Films. Directed by Hilary Harris from a treatment by John Grierson. An evocative testimony to the achievements on the Clyde and to the men of the 'black squads'. Winner of many awards including a Hollywood Oscar for best live action short film 1961. Running time: 30 mins colour.

With viewing notes by Janet McBain, Curator, Scottish Screen Archive.

This film has been preserved with a grant from the foundation for Sport and the Arts and has been duplicated in collaboration with Technicolor Laboratories.

Glasgow's Docklands (1956). Made for Educational Films of Scotland. Produced by Enrico Cocozza. Sound Douglas Gray. Script by W.G. Beaton. Commentary spoken by Leonard Maguire. The Govan Ferry, tugs and puffers, merge with ocean going cargo ships in this atmospheric view of life around the docks. As horses and carts still clatter up and down the Broomielaw, it is hard to imagine the huge changes that Glasgow will see within just a few years. Running time: 11 mins b/w.

The River Clyde - A Survey of Scotland's Greatest River (1939). Made for Clyde Navigation Trust. Produced by Scottish Film Productions. Directed by Stanley L. Russell. The River from source to sea. 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 and ocean liners. Running time: 20 mins b/w.

Synopsis