Camping in the footsteps of James Bond

Camping in the footsteps of James Bond
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From Russia With Love
A black dinner suit and dicky-bow might not be your usual tent attire but that doesn’t mean campers can’t follow in the footsteps of James Bond.

The latest 007 film Skyfall has been breaking box office records around the world since its release in the autumn and the stunning Scottish location at the heart of the story has undoubtedly been one of the movie’s stars. The good news is that it is a wonderful place to pitch your tent, with views that will certainly leave you stirred, if not shaken.

We don’t want to spoil anything for those yet to see the film, but Glen Etive and Glen Coe in the Scottish Highlands were chosen by the producers as the setting for the movie’s dramatic final scenes.

In a sequence filmed on the A82, the secret agent’s iconic Aston Martin DB5 speeds through the stunning atmospheric scenery of Glen Coe. The Scottish setting continues to play a leading role in the events that follow.

Here’s a video showing the DB5 in Glen Coe

The stars of the film were dazzled by the location. Daniel Craig said: “We got the chance to go up to Scotland and it’s a great backdrop. I mean it’s so beautiful, it’s amazing up there. It’s still one of my favourite places.” Dame Judi Dench, who plays M, added: “It was glorious as always and happened to be the most wonderful day in Glencoe – a beautiful clear day. With just that kind of band of mist under the hills – it was perfect.”

The scenes in the Highlands mark a homecoming for Bond. Author Ian Fleming wrote that Glen Coe was where the spy’s father Andrew was born and Dalness Lodge (used for exterior shots in the Scotland scenes) once belonged to the author’s family. Although based in Scotland, Bond’s family home of Skyfall was actually constructed on Hankley Common in Surrey using plywood and plaster.

The National Trust For Scotland welcomed the Hollywood production to their site and hope to see an influx of visitors as a result of the area’s appearance in the film. The profile of James Bond has never been higher, with the release of Skyfall coinciding with celebrations to mark the 50th birthday of the film franchise. The 60th annversary of the first book written by Fleming takes place in 2013. Glen Coe property manager Scott McCombie said: “Who can fail to be blown away by these stunning backdrops? We hope that after seeing this latest Bond movie more people come to see the beauty of this area for themselves.”


This is already a hugely popular place to camp. If you’d like to follow in 007’s footsteps this summer, here’s some of the best campsites in the area:

RED SQUIRREL CAMPSITE

Glencoe, Argyll & Bute PH49 4HX
01855 811256
www.redsquirrelcampsite.co.uk
Opening Times: All year
Prices: From £16.00 (2 adults, pitch)

Geared around walkers and not for those who value on-site luxuries. It doesn’t even offer electric hook-ups. What this quirkily charming site does have, though, is a fantastic location, great views and a laid-back feel. It’s located on firm rocky ground, with pitches laid out in a higgledy-piggledy fashion amidst trees – these are only suitable for smaller motorhomes. Portacabins house basic showers and toilets, while a shed houses the laundry and there are covered sinks for dishwashing. Fires are allowed in set places and the nearby river can be fished in with a permit. No caravans allowed.


INVERCOE CARAVAN AND CAMPING SITE

Invercoe, Glencoe, Highland PH49 4HP
01855 811210
www.invercoe.co.uk
Opening Times: All year
Prices: From £20.00 (2 adults, pitch, electric)

Set in Glen Coe, the location of this site is first-rate. In one direction you’ll enjoy an uninterrupted view of Loch Leven and in the other direction a panoramic mountain view. The pitches are flat and firm, with the majority being on hardstandings with electric hook-ups – a handful are directly on the banks of the Loch – ideal for launching kayaks and canoes. On-site is a decent toilet block, laundry, shop and large covered picnic area complete with a barbecue. Rated five-star by the Scottish Tourist Board. Glencoe has pubs, shops, a petrol station, tearoom, museum and a post office. Wi-Fi.

GLENCOE CAMPING AND CARAVANNING SITE

Ballachulish, Argyll & Bute PH49 4LA
024 7647 5426
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Opening Times: 29 March - 5 November
Prices: From £22.75 (2 adults, pitch, electric)

Located a few hundred yards from the visitor centre, this site is set in the heart of the mountains and has epic views in all directions. There are 120 pitches in total, with gravelled hardstanding pitches being reserved for motorhomes and caravans. Non-members welcome. On-site facilities are comprehensive and include a modern toilet, featuring a family room with a bath and showers with seated areas. Usefully for walkers there are special drying lockers that can be hired (to dry out wet clothes/warm them for the morning). There’s also a shop on site and the nearby visitor’s centre has a café.
This is one of the ultimate sites for those interested in exploring the Glencoe National Trust land which surrounds the site. Stunning views of the craggy peaks can be seen on all sides at this site and all pitches will enjoy an equally good view. In total there are eight Munros in the area.
The nearby woodlands were planted in the 19th century and are now home to a wealth of wildlife including sea eagles and red squirrels. The Glencoe National Trust Visitor Centre is within a few hundred yards from the reception area to the site and commemorates the infamous massacre of 1692. You can also book a Land Rover safari trip from here during the summer months.
Also close to the site is Loch Leven, which leads into Loch Linnhe. Here you can book a ferry from Corran to Ardgour and travel along the old trade route ’The Road to the Isles.’ While you can enjoy good walks directly from the site, it’s also worth noting that the West Highland Way passes within nine miles of the site and offers a variety of walks that will allow you to see some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery. The site also makes a handy stopover for those venturing further north, with the delights of Fort William being just a short drive away.

GLENCOE MOUNTAIN RESORT

Kingshouse, Glencoe, Argyll PH49 4HZ
01855 851 226
www.glencoemountain.com/accommodation.html
Opening Times: All year
Prices: Adults (12+) £6 per night, children under 12 are free.

The Campsite at Glencoe Mountain Resort is set in an area of astounding natural beauty within a site of special scientific interest for Golden Eagles. With views towards the Buchaille Etive Mor and Rannoch Moor you are guaranteed a spectacular view to wake up to. On site there are 20 camping pitches, 10 microlodges and 10 camper/caravan hook-up points. The camping pitches are set within a woodland area on Rannoch Moor and enjoy spectacular mountain views. Showers, drying rooms and home cooked food in the log cabin café are available daily.
Facilities include showers, drying rooms and an onsite café with a fully licenced bar. Home cooked food is available on a daily basis with the café serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. In summer the centre offers mountain biking (Downhill and XC), bike guiding, bike coaching, archery, hill-walking, climbing, chairlift rides and photography. In winter, skiing, snowboarding, sledging and avalanche rescue training are available.




OTHER BOND LOCATIONS IN SCOTLAND


Skyfall is not the first Bond movie to be filmed in Scotland. Here are the others:

From Russia With LoveFrom Russia With Love (1963) saw Bond (Sean Connery) and a beautiful Russian agent being pursued by agents in a speedboat in Turkey. The final boat chase scene was actually shot on Loch Craignish, near Crinan, Argyll

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) featured another Argyll location. Faslane Naval Base, on the eastern shore of Gare Loch in Argyll and Bute was where Bond (Roger Moore) discovers the loss of British submarines is a sinister plot by the evil Stromberg.

The World is Not Enough (1999) Remote Eilean Donan Castle, on the Kyle of Lochalsh, had a cameo role in Pierce Brosnan’s third Bond film, when it served as the Scottish HQ of MI6.



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