What you see above is the photograph from which the homepage image is extracted. It is my most unusual British souvenir to date – more unique than any set of antlers from a beast taken in the United Kingdom that I could ever bring back to the United States.
Today, I drove to Glen Etive, and precisely to the location of the iconic scene in the Bond film Skyfall, wherein 007 and M are standing at the marches of James’ family’s eponymous estate. Yet, there before me were two Americans with a phone camera stand creating their own version of the shot right down to the angle of their automobile. It wasn’t an Aston Martin DB5. But who cares?
The good thing was that I had all my fly-fishing kit in tow. For this reason, I thought, “Why not suit-up and ask them to take a few ‘Bond’ photos of me for the Voyageurs Fieldsport website that’s currently under construction?” Well, I did just that and they obliged. Sure, it’s staged. But what do you expect from a tourist?
In truth, I think Daniel Craig is the second best Bond and Skyfall the among the best Bond films (It’s one rung below Casino Royale.), mainly because both hew closely to Ian Fleming’s conception of 007 as an archetypal hero. I’ll admit, though, that I also favor the latter because it incorporates Scottish fieldsports culture. For Skyfall, the place, is first and foremost a sporting estate.
I’ll also add that Skyfall lends credence to the final point I made in my October 12th post, “My Heart’s in th’Highlands a-Chasin’ the Deer” – that the red stag and the stalking thereof embody the spirit of Scotland like nothing else. Simply watch the film and see for yourself. Although, I’ll help you along. Note the statuary gracing the lodge gate, the firearms selection, and the character Kincade (the gamekeeper).
Now, some of you may contend that it is Presbyterianism which forms the Scots’ cultural center. I disagree, of course, and here’s why. Firstly, Scotland is now thoroughly post-Christian like much of the West. Secondly, even if Scotland today is spiritually what it once was, Presbyterianism is still a recent development, one that came about circa 1560. In contrast, the Scots have been stalking red deer since probably before they had a written language. Yet additionally, Presbyterianism was a Lowland movement. Highland Scots, though, never truly abandoned Catholicism.
Hmm. Skyfall actually illustrates that last bit,too. Crikey, the film’s cerebral! For what is the name of the structure through which Kincade escorts M away from the lodge? It’s the priest’s hole leading to the nearby chapel. I love it!
But enough of me talking. I’m heading back to the United States tomorrow, and so I’m opening the discussion to others in order that I might have decent reading material while I’m waiting for my flight. Therefore, start your Aston-Martin DB5s. Name (1) the best Bond film, (2) the best Bond theme song, and (3) the best James Bond?