Scotland's Moving Image Archive at National Library of Scotland preserves over 100 years of Scottish filmed history reflecting 20th century social, cultural and industrial heritage. The films capture the lives of ordinary people across the generations and celebrate the achievements of Scottish based film-makers.
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Dee Valley
Journey by steam train on the lost Royal Deeside railway line to Ballater and Balmoral Castle through Cults, Peterculter and Banchory in 1959, in this lovely educational film.
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Overview
Journey by steam train on the lost Royal Deeside railway line to Ballater in 1959, in this lovely educational film from SEFA. Visit Aberdeen harbour, crammed with fishing boats, then row up the river Dee to see the fishermen, with crates of salmon and wriggling eels. After Cults station, stop at Peterculter for the Culter paper mill, then at Banchory for A & G Paterson’s saw mill. Steam on to Ballater for a bus to Balmoral Castle and a Highland Games for some right royal revelry.
Filmed by the Scottish Educational Film Association. The Deeside Railway opened in 1853, and was regularly used by members of the Royal Family staying at Balmoral Castle, including Queen Victoria, George VI and the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II and her children. Queen Victoria had her own Royal Waiting Room built in 1886 at Ballater station, complete with sumptous Royal Toilet. The line was closed in 1966 as a result of the Beeching report. The Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1996, and they began work on restoring part of the line in 2003. Thanks to their efforts, it is now possible to travel from Milton of Crathes station towards Banchory station, on both steam and diesel trains.
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