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St Kilda – Britain's Loneliest Isle (clip 3)

An early travel documentary

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Description

A voyage from Glasgow to St Kilda, showing scenes of the Western Isles and island life of the crofters on St Kilda. Research suggests scenes on the island of Hirta were taken in May 1923, with later footage of the voyage to the St Kilda islands taken c. 1928. This clip shows shots of visitors arriving at St Kilda and going ashore to meet the 'natives'. It also depicts scenes of life on St Kilda and compares this to Sauchiehall St in Glasgow at the same time. The clip culminates with footage of gull catching on the cliffs of St Kilda.

Questions & Activities

Questions

  • Why were the women and children so scared of the camera?
  • What is the "buroo"€ the intertitle refers to?
  • How many activities are shown on the island?
  • What were their main industries?
  • Is this a respectful film?

Activities

International Education / Citizenship / RME: Compare this to documentaries like the work of Ray Mears. Discuss whether this film is respectful of the people or not.

Music / Moving Image Education: Put music to this film. What type of music and instruments would be appropriate to the mood of this film.

Geography / Social History: Research the life on St Kilda and their communication with the outside world. Describe the village, its facilities and main industries.

Clip Details

Record Id 007-000-000-085-C
Resource Rights Holder National Library of Scotland
Project Ref 0418
Date 1928
Genre Documentary, Sponsored
School Subject Religious and Moral Education, Geography, English, Social History, Music
Subject Matter Rivers and Coasts, Citizenship
Who John McCallum and Company (sponsor), Paul Robello and Bobbie Mann (director), Topical Productions, Glasgow (production company)
Where St Kilda
Attributes Black and White, Silent
Clip Length 4:27
Film Length 18:00