Synopsis

The story of the noble Clydesdale told in original archive films from the early 1930s to the 1960s. Programme comprises:
Spring in Galloway (1930s, b/w), life on the farm is seen, including Border ewes and Ayrshire cattle, in this glimpse of the countryside at work in Galloway.
The Good Servant (1958, colour), the history of Clydesdales and the many tasks they performed on the farm. Filmed around Macmerry, East Lothian, Milngavie and other locations. Sponsored by Films of Scotland and the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society. Click here for film clip from The Good Servant.
Spring in the Fields (1936, b/w), shows Clydesdales hard at work ploughing, harrowing and rolling, as farmers sow corn seed using both manual and mechanised methods.
Horse in Harness (1934, b/w), a demonstration of harnessing a Clydesdale.
Champions in the Sun (1964, colour), a vibrant record of Clydesdales and other breeds in competition at the Royal Highland Show. Sponsored by Films of Scotland and the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society.

Synopsis

Scotland's farms seen in original archive films, many in colour, with commentaries by veteran farmers. Programme comprises:
In Good Heart (1960, colour), describes the farming year through the eyes of four farmers in the Highlands, the Borders, Ayrshire and Angus, and visits the Royal Highland Show. Sponsored by Films of Scotland and the National Farmer's Union of Scotland.
They Made the Land (1938), depicts the hard struggle to tame the land for agricultural use.
Grain Harvest (1936), a field of oats is being scythed to clear a path for horse-drawn reaping.
The Farmer's Boy (1938), a young boy sees the prospects in farming over a year's activities.
Winter on the Farm (1934), the variety of jobs done on a mixed farm.

Synopsis

A companion volume to In Good Heart, covering different aspects of farming with classic films and farmers' commentaries. Programme comprises:
Ayrshire Dairy Farmer (1967, colour), the day-to-day and season-to-season cycle of work at Hapland Dairy Farm in Ayrshire.
A Farm is Reclaimed (1945, b/w), how a farmer takes a derelict farm and puts in back into use within a year. Click here for a film clip of A Farm is Reclaimed.
Haymaking (1934, b/w), shows us horse-drawn mowing, raking and building haystacks.
Harvests of the Soil (1937, b/w), featuring the production of potatoes, tomatoes, wheat, barley and other crops.
Scottish Ploughman (1955, colour), a lovely colour film shot at Smeaton Farm, Dalkeith, showing the daily routine of a ploughman and his horses.

Synopsis

Previously released as A View of East Lothian.

Three films about the historic county of East Lothian once the domain of King Loth and smugglers. The programme comprises:

A View from the Bass (1963, colour). A seaside trip to North Berwick in the 1960s to enjoy the open air swimming pool and comedian Dave Willis at the Pavilion Theatre. Then a boat trip to the Bass Rock with its sinister prison. Click here for a film clip of A View from the Bass.
Lothian Landscape (1974, colour). Journey back through East Lothian's often troubled past to the days of Agricola the Roman, King Loth, and Mary Queen of Scots, and see its towns, magnificent castles, and beautiful architecture.
Dunbar - The A1 Resort (1970, colour). A promotional film for the popular holiday resort, highlighting the harbour, and the castle, plus a visit to Tantallon Castle.

Synopsis

Previously released as Perthshire Panorama.

Five films about the beautiful historic county of Perthshire. Featuring:
Freedom of Aberfeldy (1943) - Commonwealth troops visit the town on leave.
Pitlochry Welcomes You (1958) - a humorous look at the town.
The School Master (1953) - a day in the life of a Crieff school master with Walter Carr.
Perthshire Panorama (1959, colour) - a tour around the county and its attractions.
The Grand Match (1981, colour) - the Royal Caledonian Curling Club Bonspiel of 1979 on the Lake of Menteith, the last outdoor Bonspiel to be held.

Synopsis

Kay Mander's filmed survey of twenty-four square miles around Banbury in rural Oxfordshire was part of a 1943 project to better understand the use made of the countryside in order to facilitate better planning. Filmed in 1946 Twenty-Four Square Miles shows in detail the use made of the land for farming and industry and the social fabric of the towns and villages and how they are managed. With commentary by John Arlott. Directed by Kay Mander. A Basic Films Production.

Included also is a lovely film of the village of Harting on the Sussex Downs, An English Village.

Synopsis

A famous series of films showing the development of farming and rural life in four diverse areas of the country: The Midland Shires, The Fens, Cornwall and the Downs. The Pattern of Britain comprised six films in total and the remaining two Scottish titles are available on The Glen Is Ours (see below). Programme comprises:

The Grassy Shires (1944). Director Ralph Keene. Associate Producer Edgar Anstey.

Fenlands (1945). Director Ken Annakin. Associate Producer Edgar Anstey.

Cornish Valley (1944). Director Ralph Keene. Associate Producer Edgar Anstey.

Downlands (1947). Directors Charles de Latour and Humphrey Swingler.

Synopsis

Three Scottish films from 1946 about rural issues, many still relevant today.

The Glen Is Ours, with Ealing stalwart Edie Martin, is a timeless parable of politicians at odds with the will of their electorate. Recently de-mobbed Hector Andrews takes to the hustings to stop Cadisburn Glen being sold and converted from a Lovers' Lane into an amusement park.

The two Scottish members of the Pattern of Britain series are also included:

Crofters takes a look at everyday life in the crofting community of Achriesgill in Sutherland. and North East Corner sees a retiring Fraserburgh Skipper comparing his life with that of a modern fisherman and farmer. Click here for a film clip of Crofters.

Directors: George Haslam, Ralph Keene, John Eldridge. Producers: Edgar Anstey, Ralph Keene.

Synopsis

Four war-time films showing the operations on Britain's farms during the four seasons of the year. Starts in Winter on the Farm in 1941, then Spring on the Farm, Summer on the Farm and finishes with the harvest festival in The Crown of the Year.

As featured on BBC Radio 4's On Your Farm.

Filmed in Uploaders, Dorset, Ross-on-Wye, Hereford, Lancashire and Cheshire and East Norfolk.

Directed by Ralph Keene. Produced by Edgar Anstey, music by William Alwyn.