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
Sea and Ships
Join a family of 1960s holiday makers as they tell the story of their colourful adventure on the high seas of Scotland, steaming around the Firth of Clyde and beyond.
From the collection of:
Overview
Join a family of holiday makers for a colourful adventure on the high seas of Scotland aboard ships and steamers chugging up the Firth of Clyde and beyond. Destinations include Largs, Millport, Rothesay, Ardrossan and Belfast. Ship enthusiasts will be enthralled as they journey “Doon the Watter” on the historic Waverley paddle steamer and salute passing ships, including the Transatlantic liner RMS Empress of Britain.
The impressive ships featured in this film are certainly a distinguishing feature. One of these ships, the Waverley, is the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the World. She was built in Glasgow in 1946 by A. & J. Inglis shipbuilders. The steamer faithfully worked the Firth of Clyde route from Craigendoran Pier, near Helensburgh, up Loch Long to Arrochar until she became too costly to operate. In 1973 she was bought by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, who renovated her and now operates coastal passenger excursions. Trips often depart from the Clyde, a nostalgic reminder of her Clydeside past.
Related
Ship is Launched Ship is Launched
Industry sponsored film 1957 7 mins Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
The famous Swan Hunter shipyards on the Tyne grease the slipway for another stirring launch in the prosperous 1950s.
Building and Launch of the "Crepath" at Barnstaple Building and Launch of the "Crepath" at Barnstaple
Non-Fiction 1918 5 mins Silent Location: Barnstaple
Barnstaple's experimental concrete-hulled ship gets a visit from a jolly Italian admiral.
City of Ships City of Ships
Industry sponsored film 1940 34 mins Location: Royal Albert Dock
There’s breathtaking footage of the London’s docks at their bustling peak in this informative film celebrating the work of the Port Of London Authority.
Shipyard Shipyard
1935 25 mins Location: Barrow-In-Furness
Paul Rotha’s brilliant film of the building and launch of SS Orion from the shipyards of Barrow-in-Furness.
Topical Budget 34-1 Topical Budget 34-1
Non-Fiction 1912 2 mins Silent Location: Southampton
Two of the earliest surviving editions of the Topical Budget newsreel, released in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster.
RMS Queen Mary Leaves the Clyde RMS Queen Mary Leaves the Clyde
1936 2 mins Silent
The iconic Cunard White Star liner leaves the shipyard of her birth and ventures seawards for the first time.
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.