Travel
NC500 listed in popular travel guide’s ‘no-go’ places to avoid in 2025
SCOTLAND’S stunning North Coast 500 has landed on a list of popular tourist destinations to stay away from.
Thousands flock every year to the 516-mile route to witness the stunning scenery and the beauty of the Highlands.
6
6
6
6
6
It has been dubbed Scotland’s answer to Route 66 and is a huge attraction for tourists from all over the world to visit.
People tour the Highlands in campervans, others go camping or hiking Scotland‘s world-famous mountains and pristine beaches, while others travel to enjoy some good old Scottish hospitality.
The NC500 has landed on lists telling people to get themselves to Scotland’s beautiful north.
But now visitors are being told they shouldn’t be going anywhere near the route if they want a decent break.
Fodor’s Travel compiled their annual list of places to reconsider when choosing a holiday.
The list warned people against popular destinations like Barcelona and the Canary Islands as locals turn on tourists ruining their homes.
Bali, Thailand and Tokyo all featured on the damning list.
Even Mount Everest is featured in their collection of places to avoid.
And it seemed the NC500’s popularity is exactly what secured it a place.
Highlanders have had their own problems with overtourism.
One of the biggest issues on the route has been campervans, which have become a scourge to locals living on the route.
Motorhome mayhem has clogged up roads and sparked mayhem with many drivers not used to the narrow and winding roads of Scotland’s north.
And many campervan tourists have been blasted for their bad behaviour.
Social media has been filled with horror stories from residents of motorhomes flouting parking rules and even setting up for the night in people’s GARDENS.
Others have been branded “selfish” and “disgusting” for the piles of litter they have left behind.
Could NC500 visitors be hit with a tourist tax?
HIGHLANDERS are set to have their say on a new tourist tax aimed at easing pressure on the region’s roads and infrastructure.
Councillors reckon the extra cash could help fix up the Highlands, which are groaning under the weight of millions of visitors each year – thanks in no small part to the booming North Coast 500 road trip.
Highland Council kicked off a three-month consultation this week to see what locals think about the idea.
They last asked for views in 2019, pulling in a whopping 6,600 responses from residents, businesses, and visitors.
The Highlands see over six million tourists a year – from day-trippers to cruise passengers – and the numbers are only rising.
This Thursday, the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will look at a report on the proposed Visitor Levy, which lays out how the scheme could work and seeks the green light for a public consultation.
The visitor levy is a top priority in the Council’s ‘Our Future Highland 2022-2027’ programme.
Committee Chair Cllr Ken Gowans said: “Tourism is one of our most important sectors and the levy could be crucial in sustaining, supporting, and developing the services and infrastructure that the sector relies on.”
He thanked everyone who’s chipped in so far and said if approved, the public consultation would run from November 15 to February 7.
Details will be on the Council’s website, with paper copies available on request. The Council is committed to working with partners and stakeholders to tackle service delivery challenges and sees the visitor levy as a way to boost infrastructure and enhance the visitor experience.
On Skye, a tourist hotspot, businesses are adamant that any cash raised from a new tourist tax should stay local.
In May, MSPs backed a plan to introduce a visitor levy across Scotland, letting councils add a charge to overnight stays in hotels, B&Bs, and holiday lets.
A survey by SkyeConnect found that 99% of Skye businesses want all the revenue raised on the island to be spent locally.
Highland Council hasn’t yet revealed the percentage charge on overnight accommodation, but Edinburgh City Council is proposing a 5% year-round levy, capped at seven consecutive nights, with 10% of revenue ring-fenced for destination management.
SkyeConnect is pushing for a similar commitment from Highland Council, especially after core funding was cut from all Highland destination management organisations (DMOs).
The law allows a levy per night on various accommodations, but Skye’s businesses want it extended. They say 88% of campervans and motorhomes not in commercial campsites should be charged, 45% of day-visitors, 61% of cruise ship passengers, 66% of tour groups, and 46% of wild campers.
Back in 2019, Highland Council estimated the levy could rake in up to £10 million a year, which would be ploughed back into improving roads, car parks, and public loos.
With tourist numbers peaking at seven million in 2019, the need for better infrastructure has never been clearer.
Motorhomes dumping their waste has also become an issue.
Some locals have even made grim discoveries after finding HUMAN POO left behind.
The congested roads were cited as a reason for people to stay away, but Fodor also claimed the area just cannot cope with the vast number of tourists flocking to the north.
Fodor wrote: “Camping in tents or motorhomes is one of the most popular ways for tourists to experience the NC500, but a shortfall of adequate facilities including campsites, toilets, and designated chemical waste areas is causing issues along the route.
“Wild camping” on beaches, in laybys, and even on private property is common, and residents report finding campfire scorch marks, trash, disposable grills, and even human faeces in their wake.”
NC500 CHARGE ONE
TOURISTS planning to travel along the North Coast 500 face having to pay a fee to drive their motorhomes and campervans through the iconic route.
The Highland Council have introduced the new charge as part of a scheme that will help deliver “sustainable and responsible tourism” in the area.
Visitors could have to fork out £40 for a seven-day membership in a bid to help the local authority improve services for tourists and locals alike.
Some of the money will go towards improving services including public toilets and wastewater infrastructure as well as other environmental and ecological protections.
Read more HERE
And locals reacted to the news when they saw the NC500 had made the list.
One said: “Has it really come as far as that?”
Another wrote: “Absolutely. Same as Everest.”
A third commented: “The NC500 brand owners have a lot to answer for – so I wonder how they intend responding to this.
“No doubt, the truth hurts. They created a monster that they no longer have any control over.
“Time to fess up, as the Americans put it.”
While a fourth said: “How many times must the truth be spoken for the authorities to understand and act?
Read more on the Scottish Sun
“The only ones denying there is a problem, are the people promoting the route, those doing it and the few businesses cashing in on it.
“It was obvious from the very start what would result.”
‘Something needs to change’ – Scotland games live on TV row takes a turn
BBC Scotland make major change to their football schedule with popular show axed
Ferry services across Scotland disrupted due to strong winds
Collection of shops in ‘picturesque’ Scottish town put up for sale
High winds hit Scotland’s ferry services over Christmas getaway weekend
Christmas travel thrown into chaos as Scotland battered by 82mph winds
Scottish retailers face ‘critical weekend’ of sales
Review: ‘Christmas in Scotland’ is a lacklustre holiday movie
Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh: Hampden, sibling rivalry & the mental battle
