A weekend spy adventure – touring Scottish film locations

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This blog is quite topical as there has been a lot of recent press and hype surrounding the launch of the latest 007 film Spectre. As an ex-Royal Navy Officer, I have always had an interest in 007 films and the creative treatment scriptwriters often give to reality.  Since returning to Scotland last year, I’ve wanted to visit the  Skyfall location where Daniel Craig and Judy Dench stop for a chat in the Highlands during their escape from the evil Silva…. Continue reading

NorthCoast500 Day 5 – Brora to Nairn

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I woke up with that sinking “Oh, it’s the last day of my holiday” feeling.  The past few days seemed to pass very quickly, yet I had packed so much in and seen a lot of the Northern Highlands driving North Coast 500.  Once at Brora, I felt I was in more familiar territory.  I pulled back the curtains, and it was a beautiful clear day.  I looked out at the Moray Firth towards my home town, Nairn. Continue reading

NorthCoast500 Day 3 – Handa Island

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My strategy for driving North Coast 500 was to have a beak from driving around the halfway point. My plan for my driving rest day was to walk to Sandwood Bay, one of Scotland’s most isolated and beautiful beaches.  It is a good two hour walk to get there from the nearest car park at Blairmore, a few miles North of Kinlochbervie. The weather however was still not cooperating, so I reverted to Plan B – a day trip to Handa Island, a nature reserve managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

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NorthCoast500 Day 2 – Beauly to Scourie

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Up bright and early, I enjoyed an excellent breakfast prepared by Isobel before heading off just before 8.30am.  It was a mixed weather forecast and I had a lot of driving ahead of me, so was keen to get going. Continue reading