Home, James... Bond star Daniel Craig shoots new scenes at Skyfall Lodge in Scotland (which is really a plaster replica in Surrey)
By Marcus Barnes
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He's not usually one to give away his emotions, but surely even James Bond must have struggled to contain himself when he paid a visit to his ancestral home.
Actor Daniel Craig, 44, was pictured filming scenes for the latest installment of the spy movie series in Surrey today.
The Hollywood star was accompanied by Judi Dench (who plays M in the film) during a shoot in the countryside.
Bond... Dapper Bond: Daniel Craig (centre) is seen preparing to shoot on the site of Skyfall Lodge in Surrey
Historical significance? The large lodge is supposed to be in Scotland and has a strong connection with James Bond's past
Bond actor Craig was typically dapper in his dark grey suit and his famous Aston Martin was also present on the shoot - this time with striking silver body paint.
They visited a large 'country house' in a location that was supposed to mimic Scotland, but the actual film set was in south west Surrey.
And the illusion didn't stop there, the huge ominous building he was filmed entering was in fact constructed from plywood and plaster stone.
Step right in: Craig pop into the construction which has been made entirely and plaster
Classic: Bond's famous Aston Martin is surrounded by members of the film crew
Realistic as it looks, the inside is likely to be a relatively empty shell - perhaps because producers intend on destroying the construction eventually?
A local photographer has been recording the construction work in recent weeks, taking pictures of its progress from the beginning right up to now.
And her visits to the set are helping to piece together the significance of Skyfall Lodge.
Huge operation: Production staff have been working for the past month to get the site complete
Along with a selection of photos of everything from gravestones bearing the names of Bond's ancestors to a fleet of identical Land Rovers, the lady (named the Foraging Photographer) has also filmed a helicopter rehearsing scenes for the film.
As well as that she has kept a written record of what she's seen while on site via her amazing blog.
In her latest entry she wrote: 'I think what I saw will settle the question of whether this set is Bond’s family home or some sort of monastery.
The plot thickens: Bond is accompanied by M (Judi Dench) on the visit to Skyfall Lodge
'The names on the headstones are Robert Bond, Celia Bond, Valentine Bond, Kathleen Bond, Andrew Bond and Monique Delacroix Bond. The latter two (same headstone) ‘tragically departed’ according to the inscription.
'On Robert and Celia’s headstones, the writing is very faint, but reads “who died here at Skyfall Glencoe”. There are three stones on the wall of the chapel. One is for Ramsay William Bond, his wife Magaret Jean Davidson Bond, and their daughter.
'The stone is broken, whether intentionally or not I don’t know. I think the first name is Elsa or Elsie, and the second name is Louise. Quite a Bond clan gathered up there then; I hope their ghosts can give Daniel a bit of help when Javier’s chasing him round the graves.'
Intriguing: The site also includes a chapel and a graveyard where stones bear the names of James Bond's ancestors
She also noted stones dedicated to Thomas Grenfell, Ghillie to the Estate of Skyfall, Alison Mary Birral Milne and her infant daughter Kirsty though it's not clear who these people are and what their relevance is to the Bond story.
There also appears to be a chapel and a gateway that has been constructed solely for the movie.
Skyfall is the twenty-third James Bond film, with director Sam Mendes at the helm and Javier Bardem as the film's villain.
An official logline for the film states: 'In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M (Dench) is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.'
The film is due to be released in the UK on 26 October 2012, which includes IMAX venues.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2114557/James-Bond-star-Daniel-Craig-shoots-new-scenes-Skyfall-Lodge-Scotland-really-plaster-replica-Surrey.html#ixzz1p2wY7U9R
