NC500 brings millions to economy but also challenges, says report

The North Coast 500 has generated "substantial benefits" for the north Highlands but also challenges - including littering and dangerous driving - according to a new report.

It said the 516-mile (805km) scenic route generated almost £100m in economic benefit and supported 1,335 jobs last year.

But the report said 85% of residents surveyed said they "often" saw discarded rubbish, with just over half also having come across human excrement.

More than half of the residents also said they had experienced dangerous or irresponsible driving "very often".

The report, which was commissioned by North Coast 500 Ltd, has recommended that the private marketing firm work collaboratively with other organisations to "maximise" the benefits visitors bring, but also to regularly consult with communities.

Almost 830 residents, 99 businesses and 617 visitors took part in the survey.

The report said retail and entertainment businesses were among those to benefit from the economic boost.

But challenges included an 83% increase in the number of vehicles on north Highland roads since 2014 - the year before the NC500 was first promoted.

Also, 90% of residents and 38% of visitors reported having seen signs of damage to the local environment.

This included trees and branches being cut to make camp fires, road verges and paths being turned into mud, and off-road vehicles "ploughing through" grassland.

The survey said 73% of visitors wanted the money they spent to benefit local people, and consultants said 6,300 visitors had so far signed a pledge aimed at encouraging responsible behaviour.

In the report, the consultants said: "The NC500 has generated substantial benefits for the economy and communities of the north Highlands, but it has also brought challenges."

They said "effective" visitor management required a collaborative approach, and suggested NC500 Ltd should convene a working group involving public bodies to help achieve this.

NC500 Ltd executive chairwoman Clare Winskill said the route was a "vital driver" of revenue for the north Highlands, but it also recognised this came with "big challenges" for residents.

She said the firm would work with communities and others "to deliver meaningful, long-term benefits for everyone" across the area.

Winskill added: "The future success of the NC500 will depend on strong partnerships and ensuring local people remain at the heart of decisions about how the route evolves, which is something we're committed to."

Ken Gowans, Highland Council's environment and infrastructure committee chairman, said the route was important to supporting jobs, but it also brought pressures, adding that further investment was needed.

"However, we must address this at a time when the public sector continues to face considerable financial challenges," he said.

"That is why we are exploring a visitor levy and other funding mechanisms to create a long-term, sustainable funding stream."

Gowans said the local authority remained committed to working with NC500 Ltd.