This film is part of Free
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.
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.
Related
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.
Edgar Wright on The Running Man Edgar Wright on The Running Man
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
The director talks to Mark Kermode about putting Stephen King's dystopian life-or-death gameshow thriller through its paces.
Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Richard Linklater Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 69 mins
Richard Linklater discusses his remarkable and wide-ranging body of work, including Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague.
Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Daniel Day-Lewis Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 73 mins
Daniel Day-Lewis, the ultimate actor’s actor discusses his career in conversation with Mark Kermode.