The North Coast 500 generated £22.8m for the north Highlands’ economy last year, according to new research.
There is controversy about the rural congestion at peak times caused by this Scottish “route 66” but it is increasingly important to the small towns which thrive on its throughput of traffic. This story tells us:
Also known as the NC500, the 516 mile-long (830km) touring route takes in a network of roads around the region’s north, east and west coasts.
The study by Glasgow Caledonian University’s Moffat Centre for Tourism also reported 180 new jobs were created in 2018 linked to the route.
The NC500 was launched as a tourism concept in 2015.
According to the study, north Highlands tourism businesses such as tour operators and camper van rental firms reported year-on-year growth of 16% from 2014-2018.
An additional £13.4m in sales was also generated for accommodation, attraction and retail businesses on or near the route in 2018.