Last night saw the eagerly-awaited new James Bond film, ‘No Time to Die’, finally receive its UK premiere two years after its original release date of November 2020.
A change of director and the global pandemic may have delayed the movie, but it’s now here and expected to be the biggest film of the year, filling cinemas that have remained largely empty for the last 18 months.
Scotland has always played a leading role in the James Bond story – not least due to one of its favourite sons, Sean Connery, arguably delivering the most iconic performance as the British super spy.
In fact, 007 author Ian Fleming was reportedly so impressed with Connery’s portrayal in ‘Dr No’ that he gave Bond Scottish heritage in his later books.
In ‘You Only Live Twice’ it’s revealed that the spy went to private Edinburgh school Fettes College, while in ‘On Her Majesty's Secret Service’ we discover that Bond’s father is originally from Glen Coe (a revelation used to great effect in the Daniel Craig Bond film ‘Skyfall’).
So it’s little wonder that on his exotic adventures around the world, James Bond has visited Scotland on more than a handful of times.
Here are the places you can visit to follow in 007’s footsteps.
Read more:
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.
If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.
1. Aviemore
There was excitement back in July 2019 when Hollywood arrived in the Highland tourist town of Aviemore. Hundreds of trailers and makeshift temporary buildings sprang up in the town's car parks to accomodate cast and crew as they filmed a car chase scene for No Time to Die.
Photo: Google Maps
2. Cairngorms
The Scottish car chase in No Time to Die takes place in the Cairngorms - one of Scotland's two national parks, and the largest in the UK, covering more than 4,500 square kilometres.
Photo: Canva/Getty Images
3. Ardverikie Estate
The trailer for No Time to Die features a car spectacularly flipping over, watched by Highland deer. The crash was filmed at the Ardverikie Estate just outside the Cairngorms National Park. Ardverikie House, on the estate, is also known as Glenbogle from BBC television series Monarch Of The Glen.
Photo: Google Maps
4. Loch Laggan
A final stunning Scottish backdrop used for the No Time to Die car chase is Loch Laggan. The freshwater loch, near Dalwhinnie in the Highlands, was also featured in Monarch of the Glen and the popular Temeraire series of fantasy novels.
Photo: Canva/Getty Images