Community leaders want to slam the brakes on dangerous and selfish drivers cruising the Highlands’ spectacular North Coast 500 route.
Some residents are also concerned about the region’s apparent unpreparedness to cope with its success.
Northwest Sutherland locals – and visitors – have reported speeding incidents and selfishness on single-track stretches of the heavily promoted road trip.
Supercars, many apparently hired, were regularly seen roaring at high speed along the route in May and June.
Locals have acknowledged a distinction between traditional sports car events and a recent trend of less considerate drivers in more exotic, high-performance cars.
Communities along the 500-mile route are working with Highland Council to install extra signs to tackle the issues.
While hugely supportive of the initiative, Durness Community Council chairman Scott Macpherson said: “There are certain people doing the tour that are going at speed and a large number of people are unaware of the normal protocols on single track roads.”
He welcomed the economic benefit of new tourism but complained that the NC500 initiative was under-publicised from an early stage.
“As a result,” he said, “there’s a lack of infrastructure in terms of accommodation, parking and eateries, certainly in the Durness area.”
Tourist operators are celebrating record business for the decade, among them Highland councillor Hugh Morrison, who owns Smoo Cave Hotel. But he has reservations of a different kind.
“I’m not slagging off the initiative, far from it, but they could have featured simple advice on their maps about single track roads.”
SIDEBAR (with head&shoulders pic)
David Whiteford, chairman of the North Highland Initiative which is behind the NC500 project, said: “It’s had an impact beyond what anyone could have expected.
“We’re very conscious of the fact that while this brings an unprecedented opportunity for tourism, there’s a need to ensure that visitors are being responsible, respectful and courteous, and appreciate this isn’t merely a tourist area. It’s one where livelihoods depend on the road and infrastructure.
“To this end, we’ve included on our website a page dedicated to road safety. In addition, when new members join the NC500 club they’re given Transport Scotland’s information leaflet ‘Driving in Scotland’ which has specific advice on countryside driving.”
He has contacted Highland Labour MSP David Stewart following his call, last week, for a summit to review the route’s safety.
Mr Whiteford said: “An important feature of the planning of the route has been the involvement from day one of area tourism groups. We’re delighted and grateful for the support we’ve had from them.”
