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
Children's Excursion 1952
Classic 1950s buses take the children of Moniaive for an adventure in Edinburgh, in this wonderful amateur film complete with fizzy pop, elephants and steam trains.
From the collection of:
Overview
Board a beautiful 1950s bus bedecked with streamers for an unforgettable day out with the impeccably-dressed children of Moniaive, Dumfries and Galloway. Mischievous boys in shorts and Fair Isle jumpers drink fizzy pop whilst girls in print dresses and hair ribbons ride elephants at Edinburgh Zoo. Steam trains pass over the Forth Rail Bridge, and there’s time for an ice cream before returning home through idyllic Lanarkshire villages in this enchanting amateur film.
This film was made by local amateur film-maker Bill Richardson, who travelled around the area showing films in local halls under the name Glen-Galloway Cinemas. On his death, he gifted his films for the use of the village, which were in turn donated to the Scottish Screen Archive. His films depict a number of events around Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire, including the Dalry Annual Grand Collie Dog Trials, the New Galloway Gala, the Thornhill Agricultural Show and various local football matches and parades. These were no doubt popular with his audience at the time, who would be able to spot themselves, their friends and relatives on film, and to re-live the popular events of the day.
Related
Ibberson Family and VE Day Ibberson Family and VE Day
Home movie 1945 17 mins Silent Location: Sheffield
Whether it’s the height of the war or its aftermath makes no difference to these children enjoying themselves: at the seaside, on V E Day and around the bomb sites of Sheffield.
Flying a Kite Flying a Kite
Home movie 1903 1 mins Silent Location: Streatham
In the year the Wright Brothers made their first flight, an Edwardian family film themselves taking to the skies… sort of.
Visit to Germany Visit to Germany
Home movie 1936 28 mins Silent
Lloyd George tours the sights of Nazi Germany while his chauffeurs lark about with an SS Officer in this grimly fascinating film.
Amy Johnson Family Films Amy Johnson Family Films
Amateur film 1932 14 mins Silent Location: Bridlington
A rare insight into the public and private lives of the pioneering aviator, filmed by her father.
Ut Proficias Ut Proficias
1953 16 mins Silent
A day in the life of a school - filmed by a pupil who later became one of Britain's best documentary makers.
Problems End Problems End
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1964 3 mins
Petty party politics gets animated - literally - in this amateur cartoon with a message.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
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.