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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Great North of Scotland Railway Films
Train enthusiast David Gordon, Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, films a stunning array of steam engines as they whistle through the colourful Scottish countryside in the 1960s.
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Overview
Train enthusiast David Gordon, Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, films an impressive array of 1960s steam trains as they carve their way through the beautiful Scottish countryside and coastline, watched by gleeful trainspotting boys. Mail bags are snatched, grubby workmen maintain iconic engines like the Golden Plover, and a host of stations are filmed. A particularly picturesque section shot in icy conditions paints a vivid and romantic picture of the steam train era.
Major David Gordon was a British peer and soldier. He served in the army with 5th/7th Battalion The Gordon Highlanders and fought with them in the Second World War. The Regiment’s pipe band are proudly depicted in this film as they play off a departing train. This film was shot in and around Aberdeenshire, and some footage shows Aberdeen city’s iconic townhouse and tolbooth tower in the background. Gordon had close ties to the city, serving as a County Councillor in 1950, a Justice of the Peace in 1955 and being appointed Lord-Lieutenant in 1973. Gordon lived in Tarves, twenty miles North of Aberdeen, in Haddo House, an impressive Palladian house dating back to 1732.
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