PICTURES: Star Wars Ahsoka makes major use of Scottish Highland landmarks in spectacular climax to Disney+ show
THE stunning landscapes of Coigach and Assynt took centre stage yet again in the climax of Star Wars show Ahsoka today – with Suilven doubling not only as the base of a Nightsisters temple but also as a colossal backdrop to a key piece of franchise lore.
The stunning landscapes in Wester Ross and Sutherland have been an ever-present in the latter stages of the show, ever since the heroes and villains arrived on the planet of Peridea.
Multiple scenes in the climax featured recognisable landmarks from the region, with the likes of Fionn Loch and Suilven making repeated appearances yet again, following earlier sightings in the previous two episodes.
Spoilers follow as to how and where they crop up in the final episode of the current series, so if you haven't seen the episode yet, don't scroll beyond this paragraph and the photo immediately below it.
[Spoliers follow]
Suilven, which has already featured heavily in past episodes owing to its use as the location of a Nightsisters' temple complex within the show, once again features heavily in the climax.
However, its importance as a shooting location within Star Wars lore is likely to have become more pronounced after the series finale, with the site doubling up also as the location of massive statues to the 'Mortis Gods'.
The Mortis Gods are a major part of deep lore within the Star Wars universe, with the trio of 'deities' depicting the Father, Son and Daughter – representations of the dark side of the Force (Son), light (Daughter) and the balance between the two (Father).
Their giant statues' appearance atop the heavily CGI'd eastern end of Suilven (when as seen from the north) is likely to have led to a few gasps from delighted Star Wars fans.
However, before the show gets to that, Suilven's first of many appearances this episode occur during establishing shots of Grand Admiral Thrawn's Star Destroyer hovering above the Nightsisters' temple site. The temple sits atop a CGI-tweaked Suilven's western end.
The western end of Suilven – seen head on – can again be seen in this heavily modified image depicting the heroes Ahsoka, Sabine Wren and Ezra Bridger charging the Nightsisters' temple.
Other locations within the Coigach and Assynt landscape also feature in the episode, with the following image showcasing the waters of Fionn Loch (easily seen in the bottom of the image below) as our heroes attempt to get aboard the departing Star Destroyer belonging to antagonist Grand Admiral Thrawn.
Suilven also appeared on two further occasions in the episode, with its western end – Casteal Liath – being blasted by laser fire as Ahsoka's Jedi Starfighter rose into the skies.
And then it was time for the reveal of the Mortis Gods' statues, the destination of the dark Jedi Baylan Skoll, who was being beckoned towards them by an unknown force in earlier episodes. The Father (middle of image) and Son (right) can be easily seen, with a headless depiction of the Daughter also visible on the left.
With the region playing such a heavy role in the three final episodes of Ahsoka's first season, it seems highly likely that the Star Wars universe will be returning to Coigach and Assynt in the near future – either in a yet-to-be-announced second season of Ahsoka, or within the wider franchise as it builds towards an upcoming movie which is planned to draw together various plot threads from the Star Wars shows The Mandalorian, Ahsoka and The Book of Boba Fett.
All three series can be viewed now on Disney+.
