The Amazing James Bond Tombstone in the Faroe Islands

Where is the James Bond tombstone located? The dramatic nature of the Faroe Islands provides the backdrop for the plot-twisting finale of the newest James Bond film. Now, local villagers have erected a gravestone on the spot where the superspy faces his ultimate confrontation in No Time to Die.

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Footage from the far-flung island of Kalsoy features in the final act of the latest James Bond film. When Bond heads to the fictional Poison Island to confront supervillain Lyutsifer Safin (Rami Malek), he is really going to Kalsoy.

Kalsoy Island is one of the eighteen islands that make up the Faroe Islands. Located at the heart of the North Atlantic Ocean far away from city life. This is where historical scenes in No Time to Die take place filmed.

Gravestone by Stonemason in the village Skopun

The grand finale of No Time to Die stands out as the first time in the history of the franchise that James Bond never returns home. What makes this pivotal scene extra special to Faroe Islanders is that it takes place against the backdrop of Kalsoy’s mesmerising nature.

Now, local villagers have taken it upon themselves to erect a tombstone in memory of the renowned spy. Made from Faroese basalt, the gravestone is cut by an acclaimed stonemason in the village of Skopun. It now sits on the exact location on Kalsoy Island, where Bond meets his fate in No Time to Die.

James Bond Quote Engraved in the Tombstone

The design of the tombstone is in true 007 style. Its shape is the same as that of Bond’s parents’ tombstone, which featured in the 2012 Bond-film Skyfall. Engraved on the stone are the words read by M as No Time to Die draws to an end: ‘The proper function of man is to live, not to exist’.

This quote, originally by American author Jack London, was also used by Ian Fleming in the book You Only Live Twice, as part of an obituary for Bond when he was believed to have died.

Kalsoy Island Home to the James Bond Tombstone

The Faroe Islands are all about majestic landscapes – and Kalsoy is no exception. In the tiny village of Trøllanes (population size: 14) the film crew found themselves in a deep valley surrounded by tall mountains and extraordinary nature. Nearby they were able to capture the breath-taking vistas around the picturesque Kallur Lighthouse, which sits humbly facing one of the highest promontories in the world.

The island has been thoroughly edited in post-production to fit with Bond’s fictional universe. Neither charming Trøllanes nor the lighthouse are anywhere to be seen, having been replaced by CGI renderings of the brutalist industrial complex, where evil Safin makes his poison.

But this has little bearing on the sense of joy that Faroe Islanders feel as they see footage of their homeland in the iconic 007 series. The Faroese tourist board has proudly declared it “the most remote James Bond movie location yet”.

Local farmer Jóhannus Kallsgarð was the host when the film crew of 60 people visited. So impressed were they with his assistance, that he is described simply as ‘The King of Kalsoy’ on the film’s closing credits.

The Sheep Farmer on Kalsoy Island

Jóhannus’ main occupation revolves around the 750 sheep that graze the steep hills of Kalsoy’s northern tip. The increased interest in the island has added to the young farmer’s working routine.

Today, he also runs the official James Bond Faroe Islands Tour, which follows in Bond’s footsteps on Kalsoy. Visiting James Bond’s tombstone is part of the experience.

The James Bond of No Time to Die may have perished for good. But as you take in Kalsoy’s sublime cliffs and deep valleys, a visit to Bond’s tombstone may be just the experience you need to get a real-life sense of the globetrotting spy’s adventurous spirit – to live, not to exist.

Want to see the the James Bond memorial stone with your own eyes? Join the James Bond Tombstone tour. The tour will take you to the heart and soul of the James Bond filming in the Faroe Islands.

Dagfinn Olsen

Dagfinn Olsen, born in the capital city of Tórshavn in September 1967, has helped shape the islands' contemporary music scene through his skilled bass and guitar playing. He has played with the popular band Dagfinn and Impulz, and later with Blandað Drops. His journey through the Faroese music landscape mirrors the islands themselves – moving from the bustling capital of Tórshavn, where he spent his early years, through the suburb of Hoyvík, and finally settling in the southern town of Vágur on Suðuroy Island. When not performing, Dagfinn Olsen contributes to the local community as a teacher at the primary school in the town, making use of both his skills as a musician and communicator as he has also been a journalist for local media outlets for many years.

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