Maritime

John Grierson, who coined the term documentary, made his first film, Drifters in 1929 as a tribute to the North Sea herring fleets. The film was shot around the then great fishing ports of Lowestoft and Yarmouth, with some scenes being filmed in Shetland. The programme also includes Caller Herrin' made by Edinburgh film makers Campbell Harper in 1947. The film, much of it shot in Fraserburgh and Shetland, takes a look at changes in the fishing industry after the war.

DVD running time: 80 mins b/w.

The classic 1960 technicolor film, Seawards The Great Ships, directed by Hilary Harris about the shipyards of the Clyde and the men who worked there. Scotland's first Oscar winner. The programme also includes The River Clyde (1939) directed by Stanley Russell. Glasgow's Docklands (1956), directed by Wishaw film-maker Enrico Cocozza is included as a bonus item.

DVD running time: 61 mins colour & b/w.

A collection of films, some in colour from the 1930s and 1940s showing different modes of fishing from a lost era. Originally silent films, these have been enhanced with music scores and commentaries by veteran fishermen themselves. Also features alternative soundtrack with music and sound effects only.

Programme comprises: Fishing Fleet - seine netting at Lossiemouth; Deep Sea Days - Fleetwood Trawlers by St Kilda; Voyage to Stornoway - the Musselburgh herring drifter fleet; Toilers of the Deep - a nine day trawler trip; Ring Net Herring Fishing - off the Western Isles; North Sea Herring Fleet - drifters and Scottish fisher lassies at Yarmouth.

DVD running time: 65 mins colour & b/w.

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. Programme comprises:
Sailors Without Uniform (1940) - The lives of British fishermen in war-time. Partly filmed in St Ives, Cornwall and Grimsby.
Fishermen in Exile (1944) - The story of Dutch fishermen 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. Click here for a film clip of Atlantic Trawler.
Merchant Seamen (1941) - A merchant ship is sunk by a U-boat and a young seaman trains as a gunner to seek revenge.

DVD running time: 63 mins b/w.


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Made by Dundee-born film maker Walter Deas, this is a film with a strong conservation message about the once endangered peaceful plankton-eating fish.

Available on VHS only.