18 MAY, 2006 - A 70th birthday party was thrown for Swiss-born Ursula Andress by the Swiss Government to mark the opening of Switzerland’s new Consulate-General in Scotland. It was one of a series of events being held to raise awareness of Switzerland in Scotland.

Approximately one hundred specially invited guests arrived on the red carpet, away from public gaze, in front of the Royal Yacht Britannia which is moored at Ocean Terminal in Leith, Edinburgh. Guests included Lauriane Gillieron (Miss Switzerland, 2005/2006), Swiss rock singer Natacha and European supermodel turned actress Michelle Hunziker.

Ursula was driven up the red carpet in James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 (displaying its Swiss number plate), one of the actual gadget cars used to promote Goldfinger and Thunderball. Leaving the car she shouted back, “Thank you, James!” much to the delight of the waiting press photographers. Wearing a stunning haute couture evening dress from Dior Paris (designed by John Galliano) she was received on the red carpet by her former partner Harry Hamlin and their son Dimitri. As they walked up the gang plank to the Yacht, ‘007’ deployed the Aston Martin’s rear smoke screen to the star’s amusement.

Photo: Ursula and Lauriane cut the cake - (C) Torquil Cramer, 2006. Courtesy of Geronimo Communications. All rights reserved.

His Excellency the Swiss Ambassador, Alexsis P Lautenberg, received the guests for cocktails in the State Drawing Room of Britannia which remains decorated to the personal tastes of Queen Elizabeth II. Guests were entertained by the Britannia pianist on the grand piano, once a favourite spot for Princess Diana during her stays on the Royal Yacht.

A gala dinner was held at 8.30pm. Head Chef of the Britannia, Michael Soeder, created the three-course menu while the birthday cake was a creation of the Swiss star chef Anton Mosimann (Mosimann's Private Dining Club London). To the sound of Alpenhorns, the current Miss Switzerland 2005/2006, Lauriane Gillieron, appeared as an angel to lead the cake as a surprise into the State Dining Room of Britannia. The angel’s robe for Lauriane was an exclusive creation of the young Swiss couturier Thierry Dafflon, and was based on the famous bikini scene from Dr No. Ursula cut her birthday cake with the “original model” of her diver’s knife from Dr No.

After dinner the evening finished in the State Drawing Room. Swiss rock artist Natacha sang for Ursula and her guests, including a very personal interpretation of ‘Underneath The Mango Tree’ from Dr No.

A true film diva who is as enterprising as ever, Ursula Andress celebrated her 70th year with youthful freshness and vitality. Article (C) Bond And Beyond, 2006. All rights reserved.

BOND AND BEYOND EVENT - AN EVENING WITH RICHARD KIEL

Photo: Richard Kiel with host Brian J Smith - (C) Bond And Beyond, 2004. All rights reserved.

15 NOVEMBER, 2004 - Richard Kiel returned to Scotland to appear at 'An Evening With Richard Kiel' at the Bo'ness Motor Museum and Double-0 Bar. Richard took time out to speak to everyone and signed copies of his updated autobiography. Brian J Smith interviewed Richard for an hour during which the audience was treated to an in-depth insight into the world of movie-making and the 007 phenomenon as well as taking part in Q&As. Richard acknowledged the impact starring in a Bond movie had on his career: "I was a working actor for 17 years before playing Jaws in my first James Bond film. I suddenly became an overnight success. Even though I had been in popular and successful films like The Longest Yard and had appeared in nearly 100 television shows, it wasn't until the Bond films that I found myself transformed from a recognisable face to an internationally known movie star." Article (C) Bond And Beyond, 2004. All rights reserved.

BOND AND BEYOND EVENT - OCTOPUSSY 21st ANNIVERSARY

Photo: Maud Adams and Michael Billington at Edinburgh Castle - (C) Bond And Beyond, 2004. All rights reserved.

11 NOVEMBER, 2004 - To celebrate the 21st Anniversary of Octopussy, Bond And Beyond was privileged to welcome Maud Adams, Michael Billington and Gareth Owen to the Dominion Cinema, Edinburgh for a special screening of the film.

Michael Billington had appeared in The Spy Who Loved Me as Sergei Barsov, KGB agent and lover of Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) who is killed by 007 during the pre-title sequence. He had previously screen-tested for the role of Bond and 'played Bond' during the screen tests for Octopussy's potential leading ladies. He provided a unque perspective on the casting process of Bond. Michael sadly passed away on 3 June, 2005 aged 63.

Gareth Owen is Roger Moore's Personal Assiatant and official biographer. He has also written many Bond-related books including The Pinewood Story, Albert J Luxford: The Gimmick Man and A Life Through The Lens, the biography of cinematographer Alan Hume (For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy and A View To A Kill).

Maud Adams, the only actress to play two Bond leading ladies, recounted many stories about her time on the sets of The Man With The Golden Gun and Octopussy. Her return to the series for Octopussy came as a major surprise for Maud, and allowed her to play a much stronger character. "I got a call out of the blue and was asked if I would fly to London to test with James Brolin, who they were considering as the new James Bond. I assumed that the only reason they asked me was because they needed someone that they liked, who was trustworthy and would show up and just be somebody for him to play against. I was very surprised and delighted to find that they were serious about using me. By that time Bond was huge and it was incredibly flattering to be asked to play the part."

As with all our events, audience participation is essential. The audience took part in a Q&A session and after the screening of the film they were able to meet our guests for autographs and photos. Article (C) Bond And Beyond, 2004. All rights reserved.