Bringing history to life for a new generation in the Scottish Borders

A young Scottish man’s AI-enhanced historical videos have become a cherished community resource, bringing the past to life through animated vintage photographs. Marketing officer Marc Edwards initially created the videos to impress his grandparents, but his work has since evolved into an educational tool used in local classrooms and a source of nostalgia for elderly residents throughout Scotland’s Borders region. This creative application of AI technology demonstrates how emerging tools can transform static historical archives into dynamic experiences that bridge generational gaps and enhance historical understanding.

The big picture: Edwards’ AI videos transform static historical photographs of Scottish towns into moving montages that have garnered tens of thousands of views on social media.

• The project began as a personal effort to please his grandparents but quickly expanded to include neighboring towns like Kelso and Galashiels after receiving overwhelmingly positive community feedback.
• These animations feature street scenes dating back to the late 1800s, offering viewers a uniquely immersive glimpse into local history.

Educational impact: The AI-enhanced historical videos have become valuable teaching tools in local schools.

• Teachers report that the moving images have significantly improved children’s engagement with and understanding of local history.
• The videos are now being formally incorporated into history lessons in classrooms across the region.

Community connection: The animations have created powerful emotional responses among elderly residents who recognize places from their youth.

• At the Older People Active Lives project in Galashiels, more than 20 pensioners gathered specifically to watch Edwards’ historical montages.
• One resident named Monica recalled how seeing the old railway station triggered vivid memories of meeting her father returning from Dunkirk.

What they’re saying: Marc’s grandfather George Somerville expressed both confusion and appreciation for the technology behind the videos.

• “I still don’t understand how he gets everything to move, but I enjoy watching them,” George said of his grandson’s creations.
• Marc himself described the results as “mind-blowing” and plans to continue creating more videos, noting: “AI is amazing, and who knows what we’ll be able to do in a year or two?”