IT was the home of Monarch of the Glen and has doubled as Balmoral Castle in Mrs Brown.
Now Ardverikie Estate is set for a starring role in the new James Bond film after hundreds of production staff set up home in the Highlands to prepare for shooting.
Filming of the new 007 movie is also set to reap a multimillion-pound economic boost to the region, business leaders have predicted.
Speculation has been sparked with the construction of a “container” hotel, dubbed the Snoozebox, in Aviemore, which will provide accommodation for a production crew of around 300.
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The new 007 blockbuster is expected to take place in and around Ardverikie by Laggan with the cast and crew staying locally until early August.
The estate is famous as Glenbogle in Monarch of the Glen, and has also had starring roles in Mrs Brown, Outlander and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen.
It is believed producers are keen to connect Bond in the as-yet-unnamed movie to his tartan roots. Ian Fleming’s novels tell how Bond was born and raised in Scotland before he joined MI6.
The Bond movie Skyefall was filmed around Glencoe with Daniel Craig and Judi Dench were famously pictured in an iconic pose in Glen Etive.
Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said: “The return of Bond is fantastic news, and will be a multimillion-pound boost to the Highland economy. It is really a significant benefit to the whole region.
“It is not just the production period that brings a substantial economic boost, as they will be spending in the area, but it is the global effect afterwards.
“We saw from Skyfall that scenes of Glencoe attracted global interest, so having the landscape of the region promoted again will be a massive boost.”
The Highlands is no stranger to being a movie location, starring in recent hits including the Harry Potter franchise.
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Mike Dearman, of the Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust (AGCT), said: “It’s fantastic to hear that filming is taking place around Aviemore for the next Bond movie. It’s a very welcome boost for the area and the Highlands, which is going from strength to strength as a desirable location for film and TV.
“We can’t wait to see our beautiful landscape on the big screen once again.”
A spokeswoman for VisitScotland said: “Screen tourism is booming in Scotland. Film and TV productions not only showcase the unique mix of stunning landscapes, rich heritage and fascinating stories Scotland offers but can inspire set-jetting fans to visit, with research showing that one in five visitors come here after seeing Scotland on the big or small screen.
“Locations throughout Scotland have benefited from their association with movies or television shows. Skyfall was great news for Glencoe with a 41.7 per cent rise in visitors between 2012 and 2014.
“For Scotland to feature in the next film in the James Bond franchise offers a fantastic opportunity to inspire film fans to see the on-screen locations for themselves, as well as inspire film crews to return for future projects.”
No-one from Eon Productions, which is behind the latest film, responded to calls. The film will be Daniel Craig’s fifth and probably final outing as the secret agent.
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Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw are returning as MI6 staff members M and Q respectively.
Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek is playing a Bond villain, while Moneypenny will again be played by Naomie Harris.
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