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Galashiels and Braw Lads' Gathering 1951

A big day in the Scottish Borders is captured with astonishing clarity in this remarkable film commissioned by the local cinema.

Non-Fiction 1951 8 mins Silent

Overview

It's the biggest day of the year for Scottish Borders town Galashiels, as residents prepare for the annual Braw Lads' Gathering. Bubbling with civic pride, this astonishingly beautiful film records a fantastic array of local faces, a bunting-bedecked town centre, and the triumphant parade of the mounted Braw Lads and Lassies, who valiantly ford the River Tweed carrying the historic Burgh Flag.

The Braw Lads' Gathering is a surprisingly modern affair, dating to 1930, but commemorates far older events in Galashiels' history, including the defeat of an English raiding party in 1337. The film was sponsored by the Pavilion Cinema, who would no doubt have encouraged local residents to come and spot themselves on the big screen. It was made by Elder Film Productions, "Producers of educational, documentary, publicity, general interest and theatrical films", run by John C. Elder, a former teacher and keen educational filmmaker who founded the Scottish Educational Film Association.

Genres

Non-Fiction

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Galashiels

Language

No Dialogue with English subtitles

Subjects

Folk traditions Festivals Sports meetings Horses Cinemas Cycling competitions

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