As filming on the latest James Bond film is believed to be taking place in the Highlands, let’s take a look back to the last time 007 was in the north of Scotland.
A tweet from STV suggested that process started today as crews filmed a car chase scene.
Live and let drive!
The cast and crew of the latest James Bond @007 blockbuster have been out filming in the Highlands. pic.twitter.com/loevLOibEz
— STV News (@STVNews) July 16, 2019
The finale of Skyfall was filmed around Glencoe and Glen Etive and caused a stir back when crews visited in 2012.
Here’s how we reported it on February 10, 2012:
James Bond arrived in the Highlands yesterday as actor Daniel Craig shot scenes for the upcoming new 007 feature Skyfall in remote Glen Etive and Glencoe.
Craig, who returns to the role as the famous spy, was filmed chatting with M – played by Dame Judi Dench – and with the imsingle-posing scenery of the glen and 3,353ft mountain Buachaille Etive Mor as a backdrop.
Stunt driver Ben Collins, formerly the Stig on TV’s Top Gear, was also captured driving a classic Aston Martin DB5 along the narrow twisting roads around Glencoe.
Bond filming company Eon Productions closed off 10 miles of the track road leading up to the glen to ensure privacy for their superstars during their latest production.
Part of the land used for the filming belongs to Dalness Lodge Estate, owners of the historic Dalmore Lodge in Glen Etive which once belonged to Bond author Ian Fleming’s family.
Eon Productions had initially chosen Duntrune Castle in Argyll as an important Scottish location for the latest instalment of the 007 series – possibly to be chosen as Bond’s ancestral home which would feature at the climax of the film.
But in December they caused local dismay by having a change of heart, cancelling hotel bookings for cast and crew, and instead considering a replacement castle in Wales.
Skyfall sees Craig playing James Bond for the third time following the success of Casino Royale and A Quantum Of Solace.
Dame Judi has featured as Bond’s mentor M in six previous instalments of the famous franchise.
Javier Bardem is lined up to play the villain.
Filming began in London earlier in the year and, as well as in the Highlands, some scenes will be shot in China and Turkey.
Scotland has been used as a location for two previous Bond movies, The Spy Who Loved Me and The World is Not Enough.
Skyfall is due to open in the UK on October 26.
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Business leaders have welcomed the return of the James Bond franchise and said it will be a multi-million pound boost to the Highland economy.
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said: “We saw from Skyfall that the scenes of Glencoe attracted massive global interest, so having the landscape of the region promoted yet again will once more be a massive boost.”
There was a 41.7% rise in the number of visitors to Glencoe between 2012 and 2014 after it was featured in Skyfall.