Scottish Parliament building touted as possible shooting location for `Casino Royale` by local press

Scottish newspaper The Daily Record are doing their bit for local tourism today with a piece touting the nation's new parliament building as a venue Eon Productions are interested in as a potential shooting location for the 21st James Bond film "Casino Royale".

"The £431million home to Scotland's politicians is among a number of secret locations being considered by film makers" according to the paper.

"Casino Royale goes into production this year and is set for release next year - and the parliament building is being touted as the casino. Makers Eon Productions are remaining tight-lipped about their plans. But a spokeswoman yesterday said: 'A number of sites will be considered and we cannot rule out the Scottish parliament.'"



"Industry insiders say the dramatic parliament building would be ideal for the big screen. The film is set mainly on the French Riviera but the climactic scene involves the super spy facing his arch-enemy across the baccarat table in a casino. One source at Pinewood Studios, where the Bond films are produced, said: 'The Scottish parliament is a stunning building which could be turned into a casino for the film. It would be a perfect addition to the locations we've used over the years.'"

Scotland has featured in Bond films in the past. Eilean Donan Castle, on the Kyle of Lochalsh, was used as a secret MI6 base when Pierce Brosnan played Bond in "The World Is Not Enough". And Roger Moore filmed scenes at Faslane naval base for The Spy Who Loved Me.



Scottish Screen, which promotes film locations across Scotland, confirmed the parliament would be available for future filming - how fortunate.

But a spokeswoman told the paper "they were not actively promoting the building. She added: 'The Executive will consider any request to shoot at the Scottish parliament on its merits."



Of course James Bond has already been here before. Sir Sean Connery joined Her Majesty the Queen and thousands of others at the opening of the parliament building in October 2004.

The parliament building, which was designed by Enric Miralles, opened last year next to Holyrood Palace. It is made up of a series of four to six-storey buildings linked by a garden lobby and houses Scotland's 129 MSPs.

Images © Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body - 2005

Thanks to `Lorna` for the alert.

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