Let battle commence! Weapons of yore on Dragons film site
OLD time-served skills appear to have been put to good use at a slate mine where filming is shortly due to start on the second series of HBO’s smash-hit House of the Dragon.
In recent days two massive slate towers have been built at the foot of one of Dinorwig Quarry’s inclines, once used to bring slate down the mountain.
Photographs from the site, between Llanberis and Deiniolen, Gwynedd, also show a large military camp under construction.
A line of black tents next to the towers is fronted by wooden platforms and stone blocks, and nearby is a stockpile of chests, amphora and munitions.
Most conspicuous of all are two huge artillery weapons. Locals have also been warned to expect pyrotechnics. Put together, it fuels speculation that the quarry will be hosting a major battlefield scene.
Last week a car hauling a large wooden trebuchet turned heads when pulling up at Deiniolen garage to refuel. Horses are to be stabled near the quarry and pictures also appear to show a large bolt-thrower on site.
Early this month, signs of a looming battle came with a late casting call from the programme-makers. They wanted to recruit a large number of amputees to take part in the shoot, suggesting House of the Dragon (HoTD) will live up to its reputation for blood and gore.
One man who visited the site said security had quickly jumped on anyone attempting to film. Accessing the film set from above was an option taken by drone operator Carwyn Vaughan, from Caernarfon.
His superb images show the encampment above the shores of Llyn Peris, currently partly drained to enable maintenance work. More photos have emerged of another HoTD location near Nant Ffrancon, with signs of activity in the adjacent Ogwen Valley, too.
Filming is now firmly centred on Eryri (Snowdonia) following a threeday shoot at Llanddwyn beach near Newborough, Anglesey.
Filming is also due to take place near the Eryri village of Rhyd-Ddu.