Dramatic islands just two hours from UK that featured in James Bond and How to Train Your Dragon

Scottish Sun

19 hours ago

Plus, a Sun reporter reveals her experience of the islands
HIDDEM GEM Dramatic islands just two hours from UK that featured in James Bond and How to Train Your Dragon
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BETWEEN Iceland and the UK are a set of fascinating islands that have been used as a location for many famous films and TV series.
The incredible Faroe Islands are made up of 18 rocky islands and are an archipelago of Denmark.
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The Faroe Islands are made up of 18 rocky islands
Credit: Alamy
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And the islands have featured in many famous films including the new How to Train Your Dragon film
Credit: Disney
But what makes them so special is their unusual terrain, making them the ideal spot for filming scenes set against a rugged, mythical-looking landscape.
Most recently, the new How to Train Your Dragon film is believed to have used the islands as key inspiration for the mythical Isle of Berk.
According to Guide to Faroe Islands, specifically Tindhólmur Islet was used to create the shape of the Isle of Berk.
The location scout for the film said: "There was one island on the Faroe Islands that we decided we were going to mold the village on, and that was going to be the epicenter of all the action," reports Variety.
The Faroe Islands feature a range of different natural colours, including muted browns and greens.
These ultimately set the palette for the film's settings and a lot of the costumes too.
In a recent interview, the film's director, Dean DeBlois said: "Our Isle of Berk is actually an island in the Faroe Islands. It's called Tindhólmur.
"It's smaller. We scaled it up but it's the same proportion.
"I'm just so blown away by how exotic and kind of rugged and exaggerated the shapes are."
Tindhólmur has also featured as Neverland in Disney's Peter Pan & Wendy and in HBO's His Dark Materials.
Faroe Islands: Travel Destination
Another major production that chose the Faroe Islands as a filming location was the James Bond film 'No Time to Die'.
Kalsoy Island features in the film as the home of a fictional lair.
In the film, the spot is called Poison Island and is where the film's villain had his hideaway.
The island itself features deep valleys and towering cliffs.
The legendary 007 is also killed on the island, when he is blown up in a missile strike.
Residents of the island wanted to commemorate the filming of No Time to Die and it being the death place of Bond, so have since erected a gravestone for the British spy.
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One of the islands was also used in the James Bond film No Time to Die
Credit: Universal Pictures
On Streymoy Island, you'll find the capital of the Faroe Islands Tórshavn.
Tórshavn is known for its old town and wooden houses.
There is even a cathedral which was rebuilt in the 19th century.
A small central shopping strip also has a number of boutique shops.
If visiting the capital, there are a number of places to stay too - as tourism continues to grow in the islands.
Tórshavn also makes a great base for exploring many of the surrounding villages on the island, as well as the numerous walking trails and waterfalls.
Atlantic Airways offers direct flights from London to the Faroe Islands on Tuesdays and Saturdays and the flight takes just over two hours.
I visited the 'other-worldly' islands a few hours from UK
THE Sun's associate head of news Brittany Vonow headed to the Faroe Islands last year - here is what she thought.
You've been working hard and need a break, somewhere away from the city, with plenty of nature, fresh air and birds to watch - allow me to suggest the Faroe Islands.
Gorgeous gorges, majestic mountains and fantastic fjords all stretch out as far as the eye can see.
There are hikes for all abilities — ranging from two-hour rambles between towns to all-day treks that take you to the most Instagram-worthy spots.
The oyster catcher — the Faroe Islands' national bird chirp their hellos, while the doleful Faroe sheep watch us make our way through their stunning backyard.
One such hike is the trek from the islands' capital Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur, one of the oldest towns in the Faroes which dates back to the 13th century.
You can walk up and back from the towns — about two hours each way — or a free bus runs regularly between them.
The local Parne bookshop is another perfect spot to take a break in after running around the mountains — and its rhubarb cheesecake is a delicious pick-me-up.
In four days, my tired city spirit has been renewed by the lush Faroes, and an interest in birdwatching has been well and truly sparked.
The world's first underwater roundabout located under the islands has also become an unusual tourist attraction.
Plus, check out 20 of Europe's most beautiful islands that have direct flights from the UK – and some of the world's best beaches.