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Grandson's AI movies bring old towns back to life

David Knox
BBC Scotland News
See old stills of the Borders turned into 'motion pictures' using AI

Trying to impress his grandparents has led a young Borders man to become an in-demand movie-maker.

Using the latest artificial intelligence (AI) software, marketing officer Marc Edwards has turned old photographs of Jedburgh into a moving montage.

Grandad George and granny Isobel were so pleased - along with the wider community - he followed up with similar videos of neighbouring towns such as Kelso and Galashiels.

Now his work is being shown in local schools' history lessons and at older people's social groups.

Marc explained: "I was picturing my grandparents' reaction if I could make this work - and when I put the old photographs through the software, the results were mind-blowing."

A man with dark hair and moustache standing next to a statue, wearing a black shirt and green under top.
Marc Edwards began making the videos to impress his grandparents

Within days of first posting the videos on social media, Marc's work gathered widespread praise, along with tens of thousands of views, shares and likes.

The montages, which feature street scenes dating back as far as the late 1800s, are now being shown in local classrooms as part of history lessons.

And requests from other communities, as well as sporting clubs, across the Borders are landing in Marc's inbox most days.

He added: "The reaction has been amazing - teachers are telling me that the videos have helped with children's understanding of local history.

"I'll certainly continue making the videos - AI is amazing, and who knows what we'll be able to do in a year or two?

"I'm just happy that what I've done so far has touched and pleased so many people."

An older woman with grey hair and glasses, wearing a pink flowery top, and a grey-haired woman in a brown and white striped jumper sitting o armchairs with a yellow wall behind
Ann and Monica of Wilkie Gardens in Galashiels enjoyed the videos

As well as schools, Marc's videos have become hugely popular at older people's gatherings.

At the Older People Active Lives (OPAL) project in Galashiels, more than 20 pensioners gathered to watch the historic montages.

Ann and Monica are both from Galashiels - and were thrilled with their opportunity to reminisce.

Monica said: "It was amazing to see the old railway station - I can still remember being sent down, as a girl, to meet my dad off the train when he came back from Dunkirk."

Ann added: "So much has changed - it was lovely to see all the old buildings.

"I've never seen anything like this before."

Marc Edwards Horses grazing on grass beneath a bridge and old buildings, with a young man watching them.Marc Edwards
An historic colour photograph of the Canongate Bridge in Jedburgh
Marc Edwards A black-and-white image of an old car on an empty road with old buildings, including an abbey, in the backgroundMarc Edwards
One of the many photos of Jedburgh that Marc used to create his video

Although praise has come from far and wide, Marc's biggest fans are granny and grandad, Isobel and George Somerville.

A delighted George said: "We were both so impressed when Marc first showed us what he had done.

"I still don't understand how he gets everything to move, but I enjoy watching them.

"The videos are a great reminder of what our towns used to look like."

A grey-haired man with glasses stands beneath sign-posts to historic attractions, wearing a blue fleece
George Somerville is impressed with his grandson's handywork