Please read Understanding catalogue records for help interpreting this information and Using footage for more information about accessing this film.

Title: SEA ROAD TO THE ISLES, the

Reference number: 8675

Date: 1937

Director: filmed by Don McLachlan

Sound: sound

Original format: 16mm

Colour: col

Fiction: non-fiction

Running time: 30.21 mins

Description: A McLachlan family trip to the Highlands and out to the Western Isles on board the motor yacht 'Malaya'.

Commended at the 1939 Scottish Amateur Film Festival.

Not to be confused with ref. 8805 - which is an 'updated' take on this film made in the early 1970s. See also ref. 8804.

Don McLachlan was a keen amateur cameraman who began filming in 1935, firstly on 16mm reversal, then later on video. An engineer, keen sailor and family man, he recorded many aspects of his life, but rarely his working life. He died in December 2003.

Shotlist: [shot-listed from speed-corrected tape]

Amateur Cinema League credits - SAFF credits - l/s of yacht and crew - title - Presented by Don McLachlan - shots of crew members working on board, including Mr McLachlan Senior, Margaret McLellan, Allen McLachlan, raising lifeboats and raising anchor - shots of yachts sailing in convoy - shots of crew members working on steps and lifeboat ropes (2.35) shots of Ardrishaig and coastline from yacht - gvs as yacht enters Ardrishaig harbour past lighthouse on pier - gvs of yacht in sea lock, water surging (3.28) AT SUNRISE M.Y. MALAYA LEAVES ARDRISHAIG FOR CRINAN - pan across harbour at Ardrishaig, 'Malaya' at berth - gvs from deck as Malaya travels along Crinan Canal at sunrise, including shots of lock-keeper closing bridge, Ardrishaig Belle coach passes on road - shots of Malaya approaching lock, crew members at work - gvs of Malaya in lock at Cairnbaan, lock-keeper operating gates, shot of Cairnbaan Store with delivery van - shots of crew operating lock gate - shots from Malaya of canal banks, cottages, crew on board - shots of Malaya approaching locks, crew members at work - shot of lock-keepers on gate - shots from on board as Malaya approaches Crinan (7.42) THE CANAL BASIN AT CRINAN - gvs of Malaya and other vessels in canal basin - high shots of basin and yachts - BOUND FOR OBAN VIA THE DORUS MOR, COIRE BHREACAIN AND ISLES OF THE SEA - gvs of Scarba coastline from Malaya - shots of young man working on ropes on deck - shots of coastline from on land, Easdale in foreground and Mull beyond - shots of 'Atlantic bridge', inlets, Easdale Island - shot of crew members sleeping on deck chairs - gvs of coastline approaching Oban (12.18) shots from on land: high shots from Pulpit Hill of steamer King George V? approaching harbour, yachts in bay, bay and cathedral, seafront - panning shots of bay and town from above - shots of bay from seafront - high shot of sunset over bay (13.54) UNDER WAY AGAIN UP LOCH LINNHE TO BALLACHULISH - l/s of Lismore lighthouse - shots of seals on rocks - shots of Allen and friend relaxing on deck with gramophone, Margaret, Mrs McLachlan and Dorothy McLachlan on aft deck being served tea and biscuits - shots of landscape and mountain, sunset - shot of Malaya at Corpach pier, LNER steam train passes in background - shot of Malaya at Banavie - shots travelling along Caledonian Canal, Ben Nevis under mist - shots on Loch Lochy and Malaya at locks - shots at Cullochy, Margaret on board feeding dog on bank - Allen and friend fooling around on board as Malaya travels along canal - shots of Malaya at berth at Fort Augustus as paddle steamer 'Gondolier' passes - gvs of crew members at Fort Augustus and start of Loch Ness (17.52) shots of crew sitting outdoors having ices at cafe - shots of crew members loading supplies on to Malaya including Scott's Porage Oats and Heinz Tomato Ketchup - shots from bank of Malaya passing along canal - shots from Malaya passing along Loch Oich, approaching lock - shots of crew throwing lines and operating lock gate - shots of surrounding landscape and set of locks - loch and mountain gvs - gvs as Malaya passes lighthouses, motor yacht (22.02) TOBERMORY BAY - gvs of ferry terminal, bay with yachts, seafront - shots of yachts in bay - FROM TOBERMORY ROUND ARDNAMURCHAN POINT PASSING THE ISLANDS OF RUM, EIGG AND MUCK EN ROUTE FOR ARMADALE, SKYE - gvs of coastline and islands from Malaya, shots of passing vessels - gvs of Armadale jetty, Malaya at anchor in bay - shots of crew members picking heather, then Allen ties a bunch to mast-head - gvs of approach to Mallaig harbour - shots of harbour and boats, Esso lorry at quayside - gvs of coast and landscape from Malaya - shots passing anchored motor and steam yachts near Kyleakin (27.19) THE TRESHNISH ISLES STAFFA AND IONA - shots of islands from Malaya - gvs of Baile Mor village on Iona from below and above - l/s of puffer beached on shore - pan across crofts - gvs crew members on land, pan across landscape - shots of Allen and friend pulling rowing boat down slipway (28.56) OUT AMONG THE TORRANAN ROCKS BOUND FOR COLONSAY - coastline and island gvs, Paps of Jura, crashing waves, shots of sunset over sea - THE END (30.11) end of music (30.21)