North Coast 500: Is Scotland’s Route 66 Damaging The Highlands?
It’s been 10 years since the North Coast 500 route was first established. Despite the campaign’s success in transforming the Highlands into a tourist magnet, there has been damaging repercussions to local life.
Before the launch of the North Coast 500 in 2015, the majority of tourists never ventured much further north than Inverness.
The main aim of the North Coast 500 was to “breathe new life into Scotland’s remote areas.”
However, in doing so, many who live there feel like the route has hurt the environment and has created more problems than it ever solved.
What is the North Coast 500?
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is a 500-mile scenic driving route around the northern Scottish Highlands, often called Scotland’s Route 66.
NC500 was launched in 2015 by the North Highland Initiative (NHI) – a non-profit organization established in 2005 by Prince Charles to support economic growth in the North Highlands.
Since its launch, the NC500 has gained international recognition as one of the world’s most scenic driving routes, attracting visitors from across the globe and significantly contributing to the economy of the Scottish Highlands.
How damaging has the North Coast 500 been for local life?
Highland Coast Hotels has seven hotels both on, or near, the NC500. In their opinion, what impact has the North Coast 500 route had on visitor numbers and has this number been more damaging than anticipated?
“You cannot underestimate the importance of this route to the commercial viability of these little hotels north of Inverness – this is a very difficult economic environment, because it’s seasonal,” says hotelier Guy Crawford, CEO of Highland Coast Hotels.
“As a company we have been operating since 2021-2022 and in summer, it’s an ongoing growth, but the challenge is ‘how do you extend the season?’.
“From our business’s point of view, we still need to encourage people who are doing this route to stay here longer. Customers are coming from all over the world, so we want them to spend a bit more time going around the route because that will help.”
Hotelier Guy Crawford, CEO of Highland Coast Hotels. Image: Credit: Highland Coast Hotels and NC500 Ltd.
Those who live locally on, or around, the road route says that rising visitor numbers has brought a number of problems to the area – these are discussed in our latest issue of The Scots Magazine in our TSM Investigates feature.
We need to make sure that infrastructure is there – and let people enjoy it in a responsible way
One is the increase in traffic on the route, something that hotel chief Guy has experienced.
“There are pluses and minuses of tourism. I drive around our hotels a lot in the summer, and you would need to be living on another planet not to be frustrated at the volume of traffic.
“Nothing I have from our guests indicates they are feeling negativity, but feedback from local communities suggests that not everybody is as happy to see the roads as busy.”
But what does hotel chief Guy believe is the answer?
There are pluses and minuses of tourism.
He said: “We, without a doubt, need to improve the quality of the services around it [the NC500] that we offer the visitors and make sure that complements what the local needs are.
“The answer is a multi-faceted answer: hotels need to make sure that they continue to add value for money; and governments not taxing these businesses the way they are.
“If somebody is driving around this part of the world, I hope they spend some money in the local shops, I hope they spend some time in the local community, and I hope they spend some time in our hotels for a bite to eat. You won’t see the North Coast 500 if you just drive around it in your van.
“We need to make sure that infrastructure is there – and let people enjoy it in a responsible way – and part of that is up to us to help facilitate that, and communicate to guests.
“We want slow tourism and for people to enjoy what is one of the most unique parts of the world.”
How long does it take to do the North Coast 500 and how to explore in less damaging ways?
The time it takes to complete the North Coast 500 depends on your pace and how much you want to explore.
- Fast Pace: It can be driven in 3-5 days, but this involves long daily drives with limited stops and it doesn’t support the preferred slow tourism goal.
- Recommended: Most people take 7-10 days to fully enjoy the route, allowing time to explore attractions, hike, visit beaches, and experience the local culture.
- Leisurely Pace: Spending 2 weeks or more lets you savour the scenery, explore hidden gems, and take detours.
NC500 offers opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, and exploring Scotland’s natural beauty, combining adventure, history, and breath-taking scenery, so taking it slow is so worthwhile.
Where does the North Coast 500 start?
This circular loop begins and ends in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. NC500 showcases rugged coastlines, majestic mountains, charming villages, and pristine beaches.
Key highlights include the winding Bealach na Bà pass, turquoise waters at Achmelvich Beach, historic castles, and the wild landscapes of Wester Ross, Caithness, and Sutherland.
