James Bond sights set on strath?
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THE LURE of Badenoch and Strathspey has already hooked both Batman and Bollywood, and now the stunning scenery might even have caught the eye of no less a movie legend than James Bond.
The Strathy understands from an industry source that movie-makers have been casting an eye over the area for the latest outing of 007.
A source said that a final decision has not yet been reached and negotiations are at a vital stage, but the area was very much in the frame for the big-money production.
Filming on the 23rd Bond movie starring heartthrob Daniel Craig is due to start in November.
The source said: "A number of locations are being looked at and the Cairngorms is believed to be one of them. Exploratory approaches have been made to local estates in recent weeks although as yet no bookings have been firmed up."
The new Bond film, which will mark the golden anniversary of 007 on the big screen, was shelved last year because of a lack of finance.
But MGM have confirmed that the project, still under the direction of Sam Mendes, is now back on track.
A British release date has already been fixed, for October 26, 2012, with a U.S. launch to follow on November 9.
No location details are available as yet and Eon Productions, in London, have told the "Strathy" that they will not be announcing any until November.
But a separate industry source said: "I understand that a number of locations are being looked at all over Scotland – hundreds of photographs are being pored over.
"No decision has been made yet but the Highlands is a very strong contender and will probably be on the shortlist."
Trish Shorthouse, Film Commissioner for the Highlands of Scotland Film Commission, would not comment on the rumour that the strath was in the running for the blockbuster.
However, she added: "Scotland is quite a focus at the moment for several large feature films – the Americans are very interested in the country.
"The good dollar to pound exchange rate is a factor as are tax incentives for filming in the UK which are not as bound up by red tape as they used to be.
"We have been talking with at least half a dozen feature film companies in the last few months.
"Interest is high and the revenue from TV and film companies doing projects in Scotland is likely to rise this year."
She added: "Film tourism accounts for 10% of visitors to the UK, earning £1.8 billion for the economy, and 20% of visitors to Scotland say seeing it on TV or in films was an important factor in them deciding to come here."
There were 10 feature files shot in Scotland last year including six in the Highlands – two of which were in Badenoch and Strathspey.
A recent shoot of the forthcoming big budget Batman film brought 220 crew for two and a half months to the local area, whilst the other was Centurion.
A romantic comedy called "Salmon Farming in the Yemen", featuring big name stars Ewan McGregor and Kristin Scott Thomas, as yet unreleased, was partly shot in Ardverikie by Laggan last year.
There are 80 production companies working in Scotland right now, worth an estimated £1.2 billion to the Scottish economy
Mr Scott Armstrong, regional director of VisitScotland said: "It would be great if a Bond movie was filmed in the Cairngorms, or indeed anywhere in the Highlands and Islands.
"Film tourism brings great advantages to an area, through the huge amount of publicity generated which helps promote the place."
Mr Alan Rankin, boss of the Cairngorms Business Partnership (CBP), said that the film industry brings a massive amount of real economic benefit to Scotland.
Last year Scotland attracted £21 million of spend by the film industry with the Highlands benefiting to the tune of around £3 million.
In fact the CBP has identified the film industry as one with potential for local businesses and will be running a workshop on the October 5 at Boat of Garten Village Hall entitled Knowing Your Customer.
Mr Rankin said: "On the agenda, along with other key speakers we have Trish Shorthouse, who will be advising delegates on the potential of the market, how local businesses can tap into this growing market and the demands of film crews, production crews and the support sectors to the film industry."
The latest Internet Movie Database update announced that "Location delays may push production to early 2012" for the new Bond movie, while bloggers have been arguing over whether the bulk of the film is to be shot in India or South Africa.
MGM’s Los Angeles media staff did not respond to a call from the Strathy.
This summer has already seen filming of "The Dark Knight Rises", the latest Batman epic, in the strath. At one stage it was thought a white Hercules transporter might even be allowed to land on the A9 as part of a stunt but the roads authorities turned down the request.
