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 part of Free
Off the Map
Cruise on the steamer 'Meteor' for a magical 1950s journey to the wild and remote islands of Fair Isle, Shetland, Papa Stour, Foula, North Rona, St Kilda, Mingulay, Barra and Iona.
From the collection of:
Overview
Take a cruise with the National Trust for Scotland to spend six days exploring the lonely and forgotten islands of Scotland in this 1950s travelogue. Board the steamer 'Meteor' at Leith and head to Shetland, crossing turbulent seas to Fair Isle, Lerwick, Out Skerries, Papa Stour, and Foula, one of the most remote inhabited islands in Britain. Call at the tiny island of North Rona before heading to St Kilda, Mingulay, Barra, and Iona for six days you'll remember for a lifetime.
This film was made by the National Trust for Scotland in 1958. The Trust formed in 1931 in order to protect Scotlandβs heritage; it now cares for over 70 gardens and designed landscapes, 129 properties, 100,000 artefacts and 190,000 acres of land, making it the largest landowner in Scotland. The Trust acquired Fair Isle in 1954, and St Kilda in 1957, shortly before this film was made. The National Trust for Scotland has offered cruises for over 60 years, carrying 30,000 passengers on ten different ships. It continues to offer cruises to Scottish Islands, but now extends its journeys to destinations such as Ireland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
Related
Return to the Edge of the World Return to the Edge of the World
Documentary 1978 24 mins Location: Shetland Islands
Michael Powell makes a moving return trip to the remote island of Foula, forty years after he shot his first major feature there.
Universal Talking News No. 487 Universal Talking News No. 487
Non-Fiction 1935 12 mins Location: Scarborough
A curious Scarborough skipping custom and other intriguing happenings from around the world.
Gannets at Lerwick Gannets at Lerwick
Amateur film 1946 11 mins Silent Location: Lerwick
Visit Lerwick harbour in 1946, as a mass of gannets spectacularly dive bomb into the water. A breathtaking amateur film from Theo Kay with fishing boats, birds and Shetland magic.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archiveβs role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.