Is tourism ruining some of the world鈥檚 most beautiful locations?
25 July 2019
Scotland’s North Coast 500 wasn’t designed as a tourist trail, so the increasing number of people enjoying the spectacular coastal road trip has caused a few problems.
“It’s taken off more than people imagined,” said Durness beach cleaner Hannah, responsible for tidying up rubbish left at the seaside. “A small community like this is struggling to cope with the amount of tourism we’re receiving.”
Mountain rescue teams are also finding it harder to reach people: roads are more congested and visiting motorists don’t always pull in to emergency vehicles pass.
Plans for new NC500-inspired routes – like Heart 200 – have met with resistance from Perthshire locals.
“At the moment, people come for peace and quiet,” explained one resident to The Nine. Another added, “You’ll lose those tourists.”
The problem of too many tourists
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Hotspots combating too many visitors
Authorities in Thailand and the Philippines called time on tourism in two popular tourist destinations.
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The beach that tourists cannot touch
The beach from motion picture 鈥楾he Beach鈥� was closed due to overcrowding from tourists.
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Skye鈥檚 鈥榯ourist problem鈥�
Skye’s popularity is causing problems. (From 2017)
More on the North Coast 500
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Scotland鈥檚 answer to Route 66?
The circular route around the top of Scotland takes in some of the world鈥檚 most beautiful scenery.
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North Coast 500 Leg One
Mark and Euan from Scotland Outdoors set off on the NC500 route around the North of Scotland.
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Other Scottish road trips
The North Coast 500 isn鈥檛 the only road trip in town 鈥� here are three other fantastic options.
Starting the NC500 journey
Anne begins her North Coast 500 journey. (From 2017)
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