3000 sign NC500 pledge amid Highland concerns over tourism impact

The organisation behind the promotion of the coastal route introduced the visitor pledge in October last year, and asks visitors to:
leave no trace by disposing of waste responsibly
park only in dedicated parking areas during the day and overnight
prioritise shopping in local businesses
follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
keep noise levels low
adhere to all road signs and speed limits
drive carefully and considerately and yield to local traffic, especially on single-track roads
The full pledge can be read here.
Around 93% of people who signed the pledge have taken part in some sort of "extra mile" task.
So far, 13% took part in beach cleans, 12% donated to local foodbanks or local charity boxes, 91% prioritised local businesses and 83% shared responsible travel tips either in person or on social media.
The pledge, developed in consultation with residents and businesses along the route, invites visitors to commit to respectful and sustainable tourism during their visit, helping to address the challenges facing local communities as a result of tourism.
READ MORE: Local bus operator axes all services after entering 'liquidation'
David Richardson, development manager at North Coast 500 Ltd, said: 'It's been really encouraging to see just how many people want to do the right thing. The pledge isn't about rules or restrictions — it's about giving people the opportunity to understand the place they're visiting and how they can help look after it. The early response shows that visitors genuinely care, and that's a really positive foundation to build on.
'We know tourism brings both benefits and challenges, and while there's no single solution, what we're seeing is a willingness from visitors to be part of the answer.
A lighthouse by Duncansby Stacks, a collection of sea stacks that jut out of the North Sea (Image: Unsplash) "The pledge helps to start those conversations and encourage more conscious choices, which is a step in the right direction for everyone.'
The pledge is supported by a digital platform to provide tourists with educational resources to help them explore the Highlands responsibly.
The NC500 was established more than a decade ago, and while it brings many benefits for businesses on the route, a lot of locals in the Highlands are resentful of its promotion given it has led to dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

• Scottish Sun

Scots tourist spot named among most picturesque locations in the world

Read on to discover which other roads make the top five STUNNING SCENES Scots tourist spot named among most picturesque locations in the world SCOTLAND'S North Coast 500 has been named among the world's most picturesque road trips. The study, conducted by Cinch, analysed 40 iconic road trip routes across six continents to find out what journeys are most shared Instagram. 2 A road sign for the North Coast 500 in the Scottish Highlands Credit: Getty America's legendary Route 66 was crowned the most Instagrammed route on Earth, racking up a staggering 2.4 million hashtag mentions. Also making the top five were Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland, Great Ocean Road, Australia and Blue Ridge Parkway, USA. The NC500 is one of the most popular tourist trips in the country. The 516-mile stretch has been compared to America's famous Route 66 and gets thousands of visitors every year. Tourists flock to take in the breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands. Cinch motoring editor Sam Sheehan said: 'There's something unmatched about exploring the world from behind the wheel – stopping when you like, chasing views, discovering unexpected places. "These drives capture the imagination of millions because they offer freedom, beauty and a bit of adventure. 'Whether you hire a car to go from Chicago to California or take your pride and joy around the NC500, a little research can help you set up the road trip of a lifetime.' The NC500, dubbed Scotland's Route 66, is under the spotlight as locals express frustration over the influx of tourists along the rural route. While the scenic road trip brings economic benefits to the Highland region, residents are frequently irked by the trail of rubbish and damage to the roads caused by the surge in camper vans and mobile homes. Brand new coastal caravan park on picturesque NC500, near stunning, award-winning beach But tourists claim to respect the environment and the beauty of the route. It comes after locals blasted 'entitled' tourists who dumped their campervan outside a doctor's surgery - then cycled off for more than a week. It's claimed the visitors parked up in a spot that's reserved for medical staff who are on-call along the NC500 route. They then left their motorhome behind in Thurso, Caithness, to zip away on their bikes and catch a ferry.

Daily Record

3 days ago

• Daily Record

Iconic Scottish road trip ranked among world's most Instagrammable destinations

It ranked an incredible fifth in the world with 694,511 Instagram mentions A breathtaking Scottish route has driven its way into the global spotlight, after being named one of the most picturesque road trips on Earth in a new study of Instagram data. The North Coast 500, a spectacular 516-mile loop through the Scottish Highlands, has been ranked fifth in the world and second in Europe by cinch, the UK's largest online used car retailer. ‌ Researchers analysed 40 iconic road trips across six continents, looking at how often each was shared on Instagram using popular hashtags. Scotland's NC500 racked up 694,511 hashtag mentions, largely under #nc500 (519,000) and #northcoast500 (175,000). ‌ Cinch said: "Completing the top five is Scotland's North Coast 500, clinching 694,511 Instagram hashtag mentions. Most tend to accompany their scenic Scottish snaps with #nc500 (519,000 uses) and #northcoast500 (175,000)." Beginning and ending in Inverness, the NC500 winds through remote beaches, majestic Munros, rugged cliffs and ancient castles. It typically takes five to seven days to complete and has earned a 4.7-star TripAdvisor rating, beloved by photographers, nature lovers and road trippers alike. But taking the top spot worldwide was a truly iconic route: Route 66. Route 66 takes first place with over 2.4 million Instagram hashtag mentions, proving that you just can't beat the classics. The legendary 2,448-mile highway connects Chicago to Los Angeles, cutting through America's heartland and offering an unforgettable blend of big cities, small towns, diners, deserts and ghost towns. ‌ Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way ranked just behind at number two globally, claiming the top spot in Europe. The route boasts over 1.9 million Instagram mentions, thanks to stunning coastal images posted under hashtags like #wildatlanticway. Spanning an astonishing 1,600 miles from the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork, it holds the title of the world's longest defined coastal route, offering breathtaking cliffs, remote beaches and endless Atlantic views. The Wild Atlantic Way and the NC500 were the only European road trips to make the top 10, but four more bagged spots in the top 20. ‌ The Ring Road in Iceland had 295k Instagram posts, while Ireland's second entry was the Ring of Kerry with 262k. The Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland (232k) and Germany's Romantic Road (42k) rounded out Europe's inclusion in the top 20. Cinch's motoring editor Sam Sheehan commented: 'There's something unmatched about exploring the world from behind the wheel – stopping when you like, chasing views, discovering unexpected places. ‌ "These drives capture the imagination of millions because they offer freedom, beauty and a bit of adventure. 'Whether you hire a car to go from Chicago to California or take your pride and joy around the NC500, a little research can help you set up the road trip of a lifetime.' The top ten most Instagrammed road trips in the world: Route 66, USA, North America – 2.4 million hashtags Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland, Europe – 1.9 million Great Ocean Road, Australia, Oceania – 1.6 million Blue Ridge Parkway, USA, North America – 722K North Coast 500, Scotland, Europe – 695K Garden Route, South Africa, Africa – 634K Carretera Austral, Chile, South America – 581K Silk Road, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & China, Asia – 512K Pacific Coast Highway, USA, North America – 453K Hana Highway, USA, North America – 431K

The Herald Scotland

5 days ago

• The Herald Scotland

New guide to help visitors 'enjoy Scotland responsibly'

It aims to aid visitors while they are planning their trip and is based on The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. It comes as TripAdvisor's Summer Travel Beats: Travel trends and consumer sentiment 2025 report shows that on average 57% of travellers book activities in advance of reaching their destination, with cultural tours/historical landmarks (38%) and outdoor activities (34%) topping the list. READ MORE: Jill Walker, Director of Marketing and Digital at VisitScotland, said: 'We know our landscapes are special, and so do our visitors, which is why they continually top the list of reasons to visit Scotland. Research shows most visitors are doing much more of their trip planning and booking in advance of their journey. Our 10 Scottish Outdoor Access Code Tips aim to engage with those visitors and ensure they know how to enjoy our great outdoors responsibly and safely to everyone's benefit.' Bridget Jones, NatureScot Recreation and Paths Manager, said: 'Scotland's rights of responsible access have given people unparalleled opportunities to get outside and enjoy exploring our breathtaking landscapes, nature and local greenspaces for twenty years. Whether you are on a paddle board, wild swimming, walking, riding a horse or bike, or in a kayak, there are activities for everyone to experience. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code has guided the introduction and use of these rights, helping the public understand their responsibilities based on mutual respect. 'At NatureScot we are committed to working with partners, landowners and communities to ensure access rights continue to thrive, and that their use helps tackle the climate emergency by promoting a deeper connection to nature while encouraging everyone to care for Scotland's extraordinary outdoors.'