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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Royal Visit to Bearsden June 1965
The Queen and Prince Philip enjoy a day out in the Glasgow suburbs in this sumptuous 1960s amateur film, complete with pipe band, flag-waving schoolchildren and very big hats.
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Overview
The Queen and Prince Philip enjoy a day out in the Glasgow suburbs in this 1960s amateur film from Lawrence Russell, complete with commentary, music and sumptuous red silk titles. The anticipation is palpable as crowds gather, an immaculate pipe band attends along with neatly turned out flag-waving schoolchildren, the importance of the occasion reflected in the size of the hats and the shininess of the cars. “Words are superfluous to describe the happiness of this day.”
In addition to filming local events such as this Royal visit, Lawrence Russell also made a number of documentaries for the Scottish Catholic Film Institute during the 1960s which are now held by the Scottish Screen Archive. ‘Springboard to the World’ documents the story of priest Brendan Murphy as he starts a new church for the people of Maryhill, Glasgow. ‘Three Days in Rome’ records a trip made by a group of clergymen as they attend ceremonies, meet the Pope and explore the Eternal City. ‘Song of Loch Lomond’ features a schoolgirl’s trip to Loch Lomond, as she is won over by its charms and by the paddle steamer ‘Maid of the Loch’, and ‘the Long Way Home’ explores the commercialisation of Christmas.
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