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.
This film is currently unavailable
Peddlers' Progress
Join four clean-cut intrepid youngsters on an awfully big 1940s adventure as they sing and cycle their way around the youth hostels of scenic Scotland in glorious colour. Tally ho!
From the collection of:
Overview
Set off on an awfully big adventure around scenic Scotland in this amateur 1940s travelogue, filmed in colourful Kodachrome. Four clean-cut intrepid youngsters sing and cycle their way round youth hostels by way of Ben Nevis, Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Glasgow, Edinburgh Zoo, Queensferry, Dundee, Auchmithie and Alford. Good, wholesome fun with plenty of fresh air, corduroy shorts and lashings of ginger beer!
This fun amateur film was donated to the Scottish Screen Archive in 2008, but little is known about the young people depicted, the only clue being the credit 'E.J.G.S. Film Productions' shown at the beginning. Could this refer to the group of friends it follows? The film may have been shown just to family and friends, or the film makers may have belonged to a cine club, with regular screenings of members' work. Many films donated to the Scottish Screen Archive remain mysteries; the people featured may be unknown, but their stories offer heartwarming and tantalising insights into the lives of the people who made them.
Related
Watch for free
Boy and Bicycle Boy and Bicycle
Drama 1965 28 mins Location: Hartlepool
Ridley Scott's first film features his younger brother, the late Tony Scott, as a schoolboy playing truant for the day to meander around Hartlepool on his bicycle, lost in his own thoughts.
Currently unavailable
BMX BMX
Magazine and Review show 1983 5 mins Location: Adderley Park Sta
Riders from the Birmingham Wheels Project show off the tricks and techniques of the new BMX craze.
Watch for free
It's a Bike! It's a Bike!
Sponsored film 1983 21 mins Location: Yaxley
A ripe slice of 80s cheese: a lively, rapping cautionary tale for the young cyclist.
Watch for free
Cyclists Special Cyclists Special
Travelogue 1956 15 mins Location: Rugby
A wonderful short film, produced by British Transport Films, about travelling around Britain by bicycle - with the help of the odd train.
Watch for free
Cycling Proficiency Scheme: Father and Son Cycling Proficiency Scheme: Father and Son
Advert 1959 1 mins
"Dad... I want a bike!” Fun animated campaign aimed at 50s parents and their over-eager offspring.
Watch for free
Bonnie Scotland Calls You Bonnie Scotland Calls You
1938 16 mins Silent Location: Lismore
Join two intrepid hikers on their energetic tour of Scotland's Highlands and islands.
Watch for free
Jewell Personal Film 32 Jewell Personal Film 32
Amateur film 1955 17 mins Silent Location: Grangemouth
Climb every mountain - or the British ones that matter anyway - in this travel compilation by an adventurous amateur filmmaker in Wales and Scotland.
Watch for free
The Open Road The Open Road
Travelogue 2006 65 mins Location: Land's End
Startling colour photography of 1920s Britain imbues Claude Friese-Greene’s 1920s road trip around Britain.
Watch for free
Motoring over ben Nevis Motoring over ben Nevis
Documentary 1911 6 mins Silent Location: Ben Nevis
A five day drive up Britain's highest peak in a 1911 Ford Model T is certainly taking the scenic route. Climb every mountain, Ford...
Watch for free
Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion Frederick Wiseman's High School - a discussion
Short documentary 2026 22 mins
Filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman and curator Matthew Barrington discuss Frederick Wiseman’s High School with Sandra Hebron.
Watch for free
A Last Resort A Last Resort
Comedy 2022 17 mins
Rose is desperate to celebrate her 60th birthday in style, but her daughter Genevieve is struggling to ignore some recent tragic news about her mum.
Watch for free
Hard, Cracked the Wind Hard, Cracked the Wind
Horror 2019 17 mins
A haunting with words is the lure between life and death for a young Cornish poet.
Watch for free
The Walk The Walk
Drama 2023 12 mins
Adeel Akhtar portrays a man on a weekly trek to his nearest JobCentre, entering a state of purgatory through barriers put in place by the system.
Watch for free
Seagull Seagull
Horror 2022 6 mins
Seagull is a recovering drug addict who is about to have a very strange night on The English Riviera.
Watch for free
Octopus Octopus
2021 13 mins
Upon returning to her home town for a funeral, a young woman reconnects with the friends she left behind.