How the Highland Council proposes to solve NC500 issues
The problems posed by the Highlands’ 516-mile NC500 route are undeniably tricky – and almost everyone has very strong opinions about it.
On one hand, tourism revenue from the NC500 is vital to the Highland economy. But on the other, many communities feel they are at breaking point due to over-tourism.
In an attempt to solve these issues, Highland Council proposed a five per cent visitor levy on overnight accommodation. This would raise at least £10 million annually, and would be used to improve the region’s infrastructure – things like more bins, public toilets and better road maintenance.
However, the visitor levy has proved to be controversial, due to many communities on the NC500 being concerned that this extra charge will just encourage more visitors to camp in inappropriate places like laybys – or discourage them from visiting the Highlands altogether.
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Another issue highlighted with the proposed levy is that people who come to work in the Highlands or come to the region for a hospital visit are also going to have to pay the tax – not just tourists.
The public consultation on the proposed levy is currently open, and will end on March 31.
In February, Sutherland councillors came up with an alternative solution to the issues posed by over-tourism – by calling for a ban on the overnight parking of motorhomes and campervans in local authority car parks. The Sutherland councillors voted unanimously to proceed with the ban.
However, officials have warned that the move would have a significant financial impact on the council.
Another idea devised to try and solve these problems was the Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme, which launched last summer.
The voluntary scheme, with passes costing £40 and lasting seven days, offers the use of 12 council-owned car parks for overnight stays as well as access to High Life Highland facilities. However, the scheme has proved to be controversial, with the authority stating in August that they had sold “fewer than 40” passes.
