North Berwick

Breathe in the fresh sea air of North Berwick in 1938, with this wonderful early colour film. Play with the children and some very pampered cats and dogs, then stroll by the beach as vintage cars go by. Dally in the garden with elegantly coiffured ladies, and gentlemen in three piece suits. Swim in the popular lido, saunter by the tennis courts, and stop off for refreshments at a wonderful 1930s ice cream van in this lovely portrait of the 'Biarritz of the North'.

Donated to the Scottish Screen Archive in 1999, this film was made by an unknown member of the donor’s wife’s family. However some information can be gleaned about the family shown - they are clearly well off, a fact illustrated not only by the house, car, maid and the elegant style of the party, but by the fact that it was filmed in colour in the 1930s - an expensive endeavour at the time. The magnificent outdoor pool, or lido, shown in the film was opened in 1900. Lidos, which had areas for sunbathing, eating and watching, were very popular during the 1920s and 1930s, but have now sadly declined in use. The pool at North Berwick was eventually closed in 1998, with the pavilion now housing the Scottish Seabird Centre.