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
Dee Valley
Journey by steam train on the lost Royal Deeside railway line to Ballater and Balmoral Castle through Cults, Peterculter and Banchory in 1959, in this lovely educational film.
From the collection of:
Overview
Journey by steam train on the lost Royal Deeside railway line to Ballater in 1959, in this lovely educational film from SEFA. Visit Aberdeen harbour, crammed with fishing boats, then row up the river Dee to see the fishermen, with crates of salmon and wriggling eels. After Cults station, stop at Peterculter for the Culter paper mill, then at Banchory for A & G Paterson’s saw mill. Steam on to Ballater for a bus to Balmoral Castle and a Highland Games for some right royal revelry.
Filmed by the Scottish Educational Film Association. The Deeside Railway opened in 1853, and was regularly used by members of the Royal Family staying at Balmoral Castle, including Queen Victoria, George VI and the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II and her children. Queen Victoria had her own Royal Waiting Room built in 1886 at Ballater station, complete with sumptous Royal Toilet. The line was closed in 1966 as a result of the Beeching report. The Royal Deeside Railway Preservation Society was formed in 1996, and they began work on restoring part of the line in 2003. Thanks to their efforts, it is now possible to travel from Milton of Crathes station towards Banchory station, on both steam and diesel trains.
Related
Watch for free
Aberdeen University Quarter Centenary Celebrations Aberdeen University Quarter Centenary Celebrations
Non-Fiction 1906 32 mins Silent Location: Aberdeen
Edward VII and Queen Alexandra open new buildings at Marischal College, Aberdeen
Watch for free
Gordon Highlanders Leaving for the Boer War Gordon Highlanders Leaving for the Boer War
1899 1 mins Silent Location: Aberdeen
A rambunctious crowd greets the Highlanders in Aberdeen, some more interested in the camera than the soldiers.
Watch for free
Tank Bank's Tour through Scotland Tank Bank's Tour through Scotland
Non-Fiction 1918 15 mins Silent Location: Glasgow
The 'Tank Bank' tours through Scotland, selling War Bonds, raising money for the war effort and boosting morale
Watch for free
Fair Rent Fair Rent
Documentary 1947 11 mins Location: Aberdeen
Power cuts, housing shortages and exorbitant rents – Aberdeen man Norrie Williamson goes head to head with his greedy landlady
Watch for free
Aberdeen Oil Boom Aberdeen Oil Boom
Government sponsored film 1972 5 mins Location: Aberdeen
Aberdeen's local fishermen turn into wildcatting oilmen in a lively report from the early days of the North Sea oil boom.
Watch for free
Aberdeen Newsreel No. 2 Aberdeen Newsreel No. 2
Non-Fiction 1940 8 mins Silent Location: Aberdeen
Aberdonians prove their grit in a moving amateur newsfilm of war-ravaged buildings and family fun in Hazlehead Park.
Watch for free
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.
Watch for free
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.