Geordie

Establishing shot looking over Loch Voil from the hill to the north of Balquhidder in Perthshire, Scotland. Many of the locations in this film have been identified by the Scotland: the Movie Location Guide web site.

This shot by Andy McArthur is from Creag an Tuirc, The Boars Rock, high above Balquhidder, which is the ancient rally place for the Clan MacLaren. Andy walked a good half hour on foot from the church car park to the viewing point, well worth it to see Loch Voil and the mountains capped with clouds.

Panning shot from the first image showing the area where Geordie MacTaggart lives with the River Balvag to the left.

Andy McArthur provides this view, also taken from Creag an Tuirc, from which Geordie's house is clearly visible. The building is the Manse which housed the local minister, nowadays a private dwelling. The C-listed house dates back to 1774 and was subsequently extended in 1825 and again in 1890.

A young Geordie MacTaggart (Paul Young) runs towards the school house. Alan Watt advises that building is just yards from Balquhidder Church, Balquhidder near Lochearnhead in Perthshire.

Alan notes that the property now seems to be a private house with a modern extension.

After school, wee Geordie runs to find his friend Jean. Balquhidder Schoolhouse in Balquhidder located by Alan Watt.

Alan provides this comparison.

Geordie arrives home late. Duchray Cottage, confirmed by Andy McArthur as being located in Loch Ard Forest near Aberfoyle, Stirlingshire.

Andy's modern view shows the porch and window of the cottage that stands deep in the Loch Ard Forest, quite remote.

After years of working on a body building correspondence course, a much larger Geordie (Bill Travers) speaks with Jean (Norah Gorsen) as she turns to leave. Following a great deal of research and several visits to the location, Andy McArthur believes that this is Kirkton Burn, Balquhidder with Keepers Cottage in the left background.

Andy provides this shot as evidence showing the cottage's a single breast chimney on the gable end without windows.

The MacTaggart's cottage in the Loch Ard Forest near Aberfoyle.

Andy McArthur found that it's not possible to take a shot of the cottage from the same angle due to trees blocking the view. The ground slopes steeply towards the cottage then rises and this image is taken from below.

The funeral of Geordie's father takes place at Balquhidder Church. Alan Watt reports that the building is in fine shape . . . .

. . . . as seen in his comparison shot taken in 2014.

Geordie goes to see The Laird. Duchray Castle near Aberfoyle.

In Andy McArthur's comparison, the castle has lost its arched window on the second floor nearest the camera.

Geordie competes in the Highland Games. Aberfoyle School, Lochard Road, Aberfoyle.

Andy points out that the main school building is largely unchanged except for extensions to to accommodate more pupils.

A closer view of the school as Geordie completes his hammer throw. Lochard Road, Aberfoyle.

Taken from a similar position by Andy McArthur.

After being selected to represent Great Britain at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Geordie is accompanied to the station by well wishers. The station nameboard spells DRU..... but this is Gartmore station on the line between Aberfoyle and Buchlyvie Junction.

Andy McArthur tells us that when Gartmore station closed, the buildings were demolished and the track was lifted before the route became a walkway. As the path approaches the site from the south the new alignment curves towards the road and continues north along the carriageway to a gateway leading on to the walkway.

The Laird (Alastair Sim), Geordie's mother (Molly Urquhart), Jean and the postman (Stanley Baxter) all turn out to say farewell to Geordie. Gartmore station in Perthshire. The line was closed to passenger trains in 1951.

The location now captured by Andy McArthur.

Jean waves to Geordie as a piper plays. Gartmore station again.

Andy McArthur took this picture from the road directly above where the track ran, looking south towards the station. Nothing is visible in the undergrowth but looking north, the cutting for the railway line is still discernable.

A bit of a giveaway! - a stock or second unit shot of Tilbury Riverside station in Essex where Geordie arrives prior to sailing for Australia.

A panning shot reveals Geordie's train pulling into the station. Tilbury Riverside station in Tilbury which stood was on the London, Tilbury and Southend line and closed in 1992.

Olympic selectors (Raymond Huntley and Brian Reece) wait at the station for Geordie. This appears to be a studio set and is included for sake of completeness.

Henry Samson (Francis de Wolff) finally meets his student after many years. Studio set included for sake of completeness.

A stock shot of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, New South Wales depicts Geordie's arrival in Australia.

Still standing proud. (SR)

Stock shot of Melbourne trams in the city hosting the 1956 Olympic Games. The view west down Collins Street at the junction with Swanston Street. (SR)

The 2025 version with modern trams and buildings. (SR)

Geordie returns home after the Olympics to be met by his mother. Gartmore station, Perthshire. The train has just passed under a bridge carrying the A81 road. Andy McArthur updates us that the site is now completely overgrown.

In the station yard, Geordie and his mother board a trap that will take them to their cottage. Gartmore station.

Andy McArthur took this shot showing the hard standing that was part of the yard at Gartmore station. The station on a the single line had a passing loop which ran the full length of the station.

Crossing a bridge on the journey home. Derek Thommeny provides the location for us, Station Road, Gartmore, FK8 3RR, just east of the entrance to Cobleland Campsite in the Trossachs. (RL)

The bridge is just visible through the trees on the banks of the River Forth in Andy's view, and the open field has been taken up as the garden of a house to the south.

Geordie goes in search of Jean. Martin Hewitt identifies this as Gartness Bridge taking Gartness Road over Endrick Water in Gartness, Dumbartonshire. Martin adds that the stone arch bridge was replaced in the early 1970s but the cottage in the left background, named Bridgend, still stands.

Andy McArthur provides this view of the replacement structure with Bridgend Cottage at the far landing.

As a post script, Andy took this shot of the plaque on the replacement bridge.