Looking for information about the Scotland filming location of “Skyfall,” starring James Bond? Here you will find a detailed walkthrough, GPS coordinates, and other resources for seeing the filming locations of Skyfall, Scotland’s nod to the James Bond franchise. This handbook is a must-have if you’re going to be travelling to Glen Etive in Scotland.
Are you a huge admirer of the 007 series and always amazed by the exotic locales to which Bond jets off? Skyfall featured a thrilling motorbike race between James Bond and the villain, Silva, through the streets of Istanbul before Bond tried to escape reality on a beach in Fethiye (still Turkey).
After a confrontation in a Shanghai tower, Bond takes a boat to the deserted Japanese island of Hashima in search of crucial clues.
Returning to London for the film’s final act didn’t detract from the fact that Bond’s boyhood home, Skyfall House, was filmed in Scotland’s Glencoe/Glen Etive. One of the nicest things to do in Scotland is a visit here (although many other Scottish films have filming locations you should hunt down).
Skyfall’s Glencoe, an isolated Scottish wilderness, had several catastrophic battle sequences, including the murder of Dame Judi Dench’s M and a helicopter, that I doubt any of us will soon forget.
You won’t want to miss this James Bond Skyfall Location in Scotland if you’re visiting the enchanted Highlands, and that’s understandable. This misty, ancient spot used to shoot James Bond scenes is much more impressive in person and is likely to be the high point of any visit to Scotland. Except, of course, if you ever find yourself in Edinburgh on Hogmanay, where the celebrations are legendary.
This hidden treasure is stunning and enjoyable at any time of year. It’s a good idea to check vehicle rental rates in Scotland’s two major cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh, if you plan on taking a road trip around the country. If you want to make a vacation out of it, I’ve listed several more well-known James Bond shooting sites in Scotland from previous films at the conclusion.
Skyfall was filmed at the stunningly beautiful Glen Etive, just off a busy tourist route near Glencoe. The Skyfall House location in Scotland is seldom ever visited by the public since the road leading there is a dead end and there are no signs directing visitors there.
So sad, since seeing the Skyfall House explode on the Scottish moors was the main reason I wanted to visit Scotland!
If you don’t recall the story of Skyfall, James Bond (Daniel Craig) and M are compromised and seek refuge in the depths of wild Scotland from Silva, the mad ex-MI6 agent and arch villain of the Bond franchise. It’s easy to picture a young James Bond exploring these woods and fields with a sense of mystery and anguish in the air; however, the Skyfall mansion is no longer located here (but don’t worry, we’ll get to it in a minute).
You won’t be let down by the actual thing when you visit Glen Etive in Scotland’s Highlands.
Where in Scotland can you find Skyfall? What Are the Directions to the Scotland Filming Location for “Skyfall”?
Now, for the Scots-curious among you who may be wondering, “Where is Skyfall?” Obviously, this is not the name of the Scotland setting in Skyfall, but the place does exist. Glen Etive is the name of the valley where the Skyfall House is said to be located; its exit may be found a little distance after passing the Glencoe Mountain Resort on the way to Fort Williams.
To your left is the bridge you must cross. If you have a GPS device or access to Google Maps, the coordinates are 56°37′10.31′′N 04°55′51.23′′W.
There is just one bridge in the whole area, yet the strange landscape is almost impossible to overlook. An altered road sign serves as a landmark and provides for a great picture op. The closest settlement is Glencoe, which is located a short distance from the Glen Etive site of Skyfall; but, if you’re up for the adventure, you may attempt wild camping here in Skyfall.
We camped in Scotland, so if you decide to do the same, it’s important to have a tent designed for the weather there. I can assure you that even one awkward encounter will destroy the fun for the rest of the evening.
We went in the summer and camped for free exactly close to the spot where Bond and M park the Aston Martin in the famous scene from Skyfall.
Two items, nonetheless, are worth your attention: There are midges everywhere in the summer, and it’s a lot greener than it is in the video, which was filmed in the fall and winter. The situation is both terrible and amazing.
The route to the James Bond Skyfall lodge is passable by automobile all year round, so if you have the opportunity, you should go then, despite the fact that it will be very cold, wet, and have less daylight hours.
The scenery of Skyfall Road varies greatly from one point to the next until you reach its dead end at a beautiful lake. Taking it easy on the gravel roads will have you wondering how on earth 007 brought an Aston Martin to this part of the world.
As unfortunate as it is, the home from Skyfall did not really exist but was built as a film set in Surrey, England, on property owned by the Department of Defense. However, if you continue down the road, you may notice that one house does have a strong similarity to the film. If you see a sign saying “Private Property, Do Not Enter,” obey it. Look down to the left; there’s more there than meets the eye!
Follow the signs to Glen Etive, which are located just beyond the Glencoe Ski Area on the way into Glencoe, to find the entrance road. Just after the sign on your left, when you cross the next bridge.
The centre image below depicts a route that should be about the same as the one leading to the Skyfall site in Scotland. Now you all know where in Scotland Skyfall was filmed. On your next journey to the breathtaking highlands, don’t forget to check it out! In addition, while you’re there, take a trip to the end of Skyfall Road. Totally worthwhile!
Glen Etive, where Skyfall was filmed, is merely the beginning of Scotland’s wonders, in case you were wondering. Scotland, like the Skyfall mansion, is full with secrets, mysteries, and breathtaking scenery.
Several of my favourite natural settings on the planet can be found there, and I guarantee you’ll shed a tear or two while experiencing them. In addition, it has a wide variety of options, making it suitable for every taste. Scotland, the country of James Bond’s birth, has long been a magnet for filming locations.
Try to See These Other James Bond Sites in Scotland!
Next to Skyfall, Eilean Donan Castle is one of the most recognisable Scottish landmarks because to its appearance as MI6’s Scottish headquarters in Pierce Brosnan’s The World Is Not Enough (1999). Skye, which is unfortunately not a James Bond film location, is a must-see if you’ve come this far.
The Loch of Craignish Filming issues forced the climactic boat pursuit in From Russia With Love (1963) to be relocated from balmy and sunny Turkey to…Scotland, where Sean Connery and the stunning Russian spy Tatiana escape from evil SPECTRE operatives on a speedboat. No one knows how the filmmaker pulled off this one-time stunt. Scenery kayaking trips along the Great Glen Canoe Trail are the finest way to get your heart racing while paddling through the Scottish lochs. We like to think that if 007 ever had a day off, that’s precisely what he’d do with it.
You may remember Gare Loch in Argyll as Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde from the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me. Here, Bond (Roger Moore) learns that Karl Stromberg (the man with the webbed fingers), on his way to build a new society in the ocean floor under Atlantis, is responsible for the disappearance of British submarines.
Duart Castle – Although not a filming site, Duart Castle is an essential stop for every James Bond fan in Scotland since it is the home of the Clan Maclean, of whom Fitzroy Hew MacLean, a World War II hero, is a member. It’s no secret that Ian Fleming drew heavily on Ian Maclean for his fictitious James Bond; any true fan would know this. In addition to the Isle of Muck, the rugged beauty of the scenery around Duart Castle makes it well worth a visit.