Biography of 'MICKEL, Douglas'
Amateur film-maker and businessman
Born 1911
Died 2001
Douglas Mickel worked for the well-known Scottish housebuilding firm, MacTaggart & Mickel, starting work there in 1932. Proud to be part of this family firm, he took on responsibility for the company’s venture into the Edinburgh housing market at the tender age of 21. He witnessed the introduction of some mechanisation in a world where the horse and cart was commonplace on the building site and men were paid weekly in cash. The firm survived the ups and downs of the war (he joined the armed forces in 1942 and was instrumental in the repair of bomb damaged housing stock), politics and legislation under Douglas’ stewardship. In 1962, he became managing director of MacTaggart & Mickel, retiring in November 1993 due to ill health.
Success in his professional life was mirrored in his personal affairs, and his collection of cine film, ranging across standard 8mm, 9.5mm and 16mm, sheds some light on his interests and passions. The Mickel Collection, now preserved in the National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive offers a unique record of the leisure activities. Just like his meticulously detailed records of building activity, costs and scheduling for the business, now held in the MacTaggart & Mickel archives, the film collection came complete with a handwritten ‘diary’ explaining dates and content of the various titles. This kind of documentation can prove invaluable to the researcher or historian.
The early films made when only a schoolboy reveal the amateur film-maker’s enthusiasm recording school sports day as well as an amusing experimentation with the fiction story (starring his friends!). Douglas Mickel’s enthusiasm for the MG Car Club (he was secretary from 1948) is reflected in the collection - showing events such as the annual Christmas Dinner & Dance at the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, Glasgow. There are films showing the family’s participation in Edinburgh Local Conservative Association Summer Fairs, featuring notable politicians of the day as well as capturing the mood of fun and relaxation. Personal records of family events such as holidays, Christmas (and a short snippet showing the family rolling easter eggs!) enrich the collection as an amateur record of family life. Footage of Mickel’s building work does not make up the majority of the film collection, but there is a record of the Princess Royal opening Royal Scots Memorial Cottages, Broomhouse just after the second world war, and some footage of Mactaggart & Mickel building sites included.
Douglas Mickel was succeeded in business by his son Bruce and nephew, Frank. The film collection held in the National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive offers a personal record of his way of life that stands alongside conventional business archives and book sources as a vital historical record.
Researcher: Ann Cameron
Films associated with 'COCOZZA, Enrico'
35 hits
ANDREW MICKEL, RUBISLAW DRIVE, BEARSDEN ; EMPIRE EXHIBITION [6264]Add to my filmsA family record of a visit to Douglas Mickel's father's house in Bearsden with brief footage of a family trip to the Empire Exhibition. |
1938 silent col |
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ANGELA'S GUIDE PARADE; MI-CAREME BALL; GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY [6256]Add to my filmsAmateur family film shot by Douglas Mickel featuring his daughter's Guide, Scout and Cub parade; guests in fancy dress and masks enjoying the Mi-Careme Ball; a skiing trip to Grantown-on-Spey. |
Onsite only |
1960 silent bwcol |
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Annual Christmas dance; Oban, RSAC Rally May; Moorfoot ? Rally; MG Car Club 1962 Dance; International Scottish Rally 11 - 15 June 1962 [6654]Add to my filmsAssorted highlights of the MG Car Club calendar 1961 - 1962. Featuring the annual Christmas Dance, the Royal Scottish Automobile Club Rally at Oban, the Moorfoot Rally (?), and the International Scottish Rally in June 1962. |
1962 silent bwcol |
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BEAULIEU MOTOR MUSEUM ; ROSS MICKEL AS BABY [6253]Add to my filmsAmateur footage of the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu and of Ross Mickel as a baby. |
1975 silent col |
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CHRISTMAS PARTY AT FRANK MICKEL'S [6246]Add to my filmsAn intimate record of a family Christmas at Frank Mickel's house in 1957. Christmas toasts are made, pudding is served and presents are opened around the tree. |
Onsite only |
1957 silent bw |
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CLYDE CRUISE ON 'DUCHESS OF HAMILTON' ; FAMILY HOLIDAYS AT NEWTON, LOCH FYNE; DAVIDSON'S MAINS CHILDREN'S GALA; BOATING AT CLYNDER [6240]Add to my filmsAmateur footage featuring a cruise down the Clyde on the 'Duchess of Hamilton', family holidays at Newton, Loch Fyne, people enjoying the Davidson's Mains Children's Gala, Edinburgh and a family and friends leisurely boating expedition at Clynder, Gare Loch. |
1961 silent col |
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DOUGLAS MICKEL AMATEUR COMPILATION: Criterion Film Club Tests, Trips to Arran and Bute, Scottish Flying Club Fete, Glasgow High School Sports, Opening of Glasgow University Union, Family Memories [6263]Add to my filmsA compilation of amateur footage from 1930 - 1931 taken by a young Douglas Mickel. Featuring, for example Criterion Film Club Tests, trips to Arran and Bute, Scottish Flying Club fete, Glasgow High School sports, opening of Glasgow University Union, family memories. |
1931 silent bw |
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EASTER EGG ROLLING, WOODCOTE MAINS [4111]Add to my filmsThe Mickel family on Woodcote Mains having fun rolling Easter Eggs. |
1977 silent col |
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GOLFING AND CANOEING IN AID OF AVIEMORE SKI APPEAL [6250]Add to my filmsA competition held at the Aviemore Centre involving golfing and canoeing in aid of the Aviemore Ski Appeal. Members of the Perth Decathlon Team appear to be involved. |
1971 silent col |
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LOCH LOMOND CRUISE ON 'MAID OF THE LOCH' [6249]Add to my filmsDouglas Mickel records a Loch Lomond cruise on the 'Maid of the Loch' that he and his family enjoyed in 1965. |
1965 silent col |
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MACTAGGART AND MICKEL JOB STARTS AT CAMMO, WEST EDINBURGH [6245]Add to my filmsRecords MacTaggart and Mickel job starts housebuilding at the Cammo site, West Edinburgh, 1956. Colour footage towards end of film features good exterior shots of the various house styles produced. |
1956 silent bwcol |
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MARLEY PIT ; HOUSES AT HILLPARK ; PICNIC WITH 'EIRIN' ; LANARK ROAD [6265]Add to my filmsMickel family footage, recording children playing in the Marley Pit, construction of houses at Hillpark in Edinburgh and a summer picnic. |
Onsite only |
1955 silent col |
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MG CaR CLUB COMPILATION INCLUDING SSCC Team Tests, CLUB CHRISTMAS DANCE, STUDENT PARADE ON PRINCES STREET, new mg handover, cripple rally, st. andrews rally, concours d'elegance at bathgate [6272]Add to my filmsAssorted footage from the Mickel Collection. Featuring footage of the MG Car Club SSSC Team Tests, the Club Christmas Dance, Rallies at St. Andrews and in aid of charity, a Concours d'Elegance at Bathgate. There is also footage of a student parade on Princes Street. |
1966 silent col |
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MG CAR CLUB DANCE 1974 ; 50th ANNIVERSARY MOTOR RACING, SILVERSTONE [6270]Add to my filmsA record of the 1974 MG Car Club Dance at the Royal Scots Hotel, followed by motor racing at Silverstone (in celebration of the MG Car Club's 50th Anniversary?) |
Onsite only |
1974 silent col |
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MG CAR CLUB FILMS FEATURING CLYDE CRUISE WITH L.C.C. ; GYMKHANA AT PEEBLES ; NORTHERN RALLY AND WHITBY [6266]Add to my filmsA selection of films recording events in the MG Car Club calendar of 1957. Featured here is a Clyde cruise on the 'Maid of Argyll', a gymkhana at Peebles, brief footage of the Northern Rally and a family outing to Whitby. |
1957 silent col |
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MG Car Club Ltd. Scottish Centre Dinner Dance, Edinburgh, the [6275]Add to my filmsThe annual MG Car Club Dinner and Dance, held on 10th December 1938 in Edinburgh. Dancing, prizegiving and good food and drink are enjoyed by all in attendance. |
1938 silent bw |
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MG CAR CLUB SPRING RALLY; WEEKEND RALLY GYMKHANA AT TROSSACHS; RSAC SCOTTISH RALLY AT OBAN; CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE; MOORFOOT [6271]Add to my filmsVarious MG Car Club activities 1959 - 1960. Including a Spring Rally at Powfoulis, weekend rally at Trossachs, RSAC Scottish Rally at Oban, a Concours d'Elegance at Donaldson's School, Edinburgh and a rally at Moorfoot. The final section features a Spring Rally, a newcomer's rally and a Gymkhana at Elie, all in 1960. |
1959 silent col |
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MOORFOOT RALLY; DecEMBER Dinner & Dance [6653]Add to my filmsCoverage of events in the MG Car Club calendar. Includes the Moorfoot Rally and fun and games at December's Dinner Dance where guests include John Thornley, Robert Kay and Joan Thornley. |
1958 silent bwcol |
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MOTORING MOMENTS ? [6261]Add to my filmsUnidentified display of motoring skills by members of the MG Car Club. |
1948 silent bwcol |
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OBAN, SEIL AND CUAN; VISIT RAY MACLUNDIE ; BUILDING BRICK WALL AT 20 HILLPARK AVENUE, EDINBURGH [6248]Add to my filmsAn amateur record of a Mickel family trip. Starts with brief shots in Oban, progressing to Seil Island, Cuan Sound and a visit to Ray McLundie's house (a family friend?). Finishes with footage of a brick wall being laid at Douglas Mickel's house in Edinburgh. |
1964 silent col |
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PRINCESS ROYAL OPENS ROYAL SCOTS MEMORIAL COTTAGES, BROOMHOUSE [6243]Add to my filmsPrincess Mary, the Princess Royal attends the opening of the Royal Scots Memorial Cottages, Broomhouse, built by housebuilders MacTaggart and Mickel. |
Onsite only |
1946 silent bw |
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PUBLIC MEETING [6244]Add to my filmsAmateur footage of guests possibly at a wedding, inside church and filing past camera afterwards. |
1946 silent bw |
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RALLYING AT ROMANNO BRIDGE, POWFOULIS, PITLOCHRY, DUNKELD, DREGHORN, MOORFOOT; MG CAR CLUB DANCE [6259]Add to my filmsAmateur footage taken by Douglas Mickel of various events involving the MG Car Club. This film details a rallying at Romanno Bridge, Powfoulis, Pitlochry, Dunkeld, Dreghorn, Moorfoot and finishes with fun and games at the annual MG Car Club dance. |
Onsite only |
1955 silent bwcol |
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RED ARROWS; RAF TRAINING FILM [6254]Add to my filmsThe Red Arrows flying at the Edinburgh Air Show, followed by an RAF training film showing how to control aircraft. |
1971 silent bw |
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SKIING AT DEVIL'S ELBOW; GEORDIE ARRIVES; LARGS; GRANGEMOUTH; FAMILY SCENES AT CRIEFF [6268]Add to my filmsA compilation of amateur footage taken by Douglas Mickel. Features, for example, a skiing trip to Devil's Elbow, the arrival of a new family dog, a visit to gran and grandad at Largs, a children's party and games. |
1959 silent bwcol |
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SKIING AT GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY; WATERSKIING AT LOCH LOMOND AND ANTIBES, FRANCE; SKIING AT GLENSHEE; Universities Ski Championships, Cairngorms [6257]Add to my filmsA compilation of amateur footage taken by Douglas Mickel. Includes skiing at Grantown on Spey, waterskiing at Loch Lomond and Antibes, skiing at Glenshee and the Universities Ski Championships, Cairngorms. |
1965 silent col |
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SLATE TRADE CRUISE ON 'DUCHESS OF HAMILTON' [6247]Add to my filmsA cruise on the 'Duchess of Hamilton'. Starts by showing a sunken tug 'Forager', and includes passengers sightseeing at Brodick Castle and various passing shots of ships. |
1962 silent col |
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SPRING RALLY TESTS AT INCHYRA; TEST TEAZERS AT LEITH FORT; SPEED EVENT PRACTICE AT STOBS; CHRISTMAS PRIZE GIVING & DANCE [6267]Add to my filmsA selection of films recording events in the MG Car Club calendar, 1958. Featured here are Spring Rally tests at Inchyra, tests at Leith Fort, speed practice at Stobs as well as fun and games at the annual Christmas dinner dance. |
Onsite only |
1958 silent bwcol |
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SUMMER FAIR, EDINBURGH LOCAL CONSERVATIVE ASSOCATION 1969 [6241]Add to my filmsAmateur record of a Conservative Association Summer Fair at Easter Park, Edinburgh on May 31st, 1969. Records all the typical fairground attractions and captures the mood of enjoyment of those attending. Includes footage of former Prime Minister Sir Alec Douglas Home. |
Onsite only |
1969 silent col |
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SUMMER FAIR, EDINBURGH LOCAL CONSERVATIVE ASSOCATION, EASTER PARK 1967 [6255]Add to my filmsAmateur record of a Conservative Association Summer Fair at Easter Park, Edinburgh on June 3rd, 1967. Records all the typical fairground attractions, including skittles, 'roll the penny' and putting. Includes footage of Anthony Stodart M.P. |
Onsite only |
1967 silent col |
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SUMMER FAIR, EDINBURGH LOCAL CONSERVATIVE ASSOCATION, MURRAYFIELD HOUSE 1973 [6251]Add to my filmsAmateur record of a Conservative Association Summer Fair at Murrayfield House, Edinburgh on June 9th, 1973. Records all the typical fairground attractions and captures the mood of enjoyment of those attending. Includes brief footage of Anthony Stodart M.P. Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. |
Onsite only |
1973 silent col |
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SUMMER FAIR, EDINBURGH LOCAL CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION, MURRAYFIELD HOUSE 1975 [6252]Add to my filmsAmateur record of a Conservative Association Summer Fair at Murrayfield House, Edinburgh on June 14th, 1975. Records all the typical fairground attractions, including a teddy bears picnic. Includes footage of Alick Buchanan Smith M.P. |
Onsite only |
1975 silent col |
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Three MGs in the 1955 Royal Scottish Automobile Club Rally [6260]Add to my filmsThe 1955 Royal Scottish Automobile Club Rally, filmed by one of the co-drivers in the MG team, Douglas Mickel. The rally covers 1050 miles, from Gleneagles to Campbeltown. |
Onsite only |
1955 silent bwcol |
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TURNHOUSE TESTS; MG CAR CLUB DANCE; INGLISTON; STRANRAER - LARNE IRISH RALLY; PEEBLES RALLY [6269]Add to my filmsVarious events in the MG Car Club Calendar, as filmed by amateur enthusiast, David Mickel. Featuring tests at Turnhouse, fun and games at the annual Christmas Dance, a car rally at Ingliston, Stranraer - Larne Irish Rally starting at Peebles Hydro and footage from the Haddington Festival. |
1969 silent col |
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ZEPHYR ABROAD [6262]Add to my filmsA trip taken by Douglas Mickel and his wife Marjorie to France and Italy in 1955. The 'Zephyr' in the film's title refers to the car that took them there. |
1955 silent bwcol |
35 hits