It is no surprise that Applecross is a popular stop for tourists completing the North Coast 500.
But now residents of the village will be asked if they want to remain part of the trail amid concerns about its impact on local infrastructure.
Earlier this year, moat-like ditches were dug at the Wester Ross village to stop motorhomes parking in environmentally sensitive places and signs put up warning of dirty camping.
While many businesses in the village are supportive of the NC500 and the trade it brings in, others feel the impact on the roads – and in particular on the winding Bealach na Bà – is starting to take its toll.
Applecross Community Council has said that as part of working on a future strategy for managing the negative effects of tourism, the issue of “withdrawing” from the NC500 has been mooted.
Chairman John Glover, who also owns his own business, said: “There seems to be a bit of a consensus emerging for a local poll on whether we should seek to be removed from the NC500 route. It would basically ask people if they want to still be part of the official route.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
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About time too and I will be interested to see what the result is. The impact of the NC500 on small communities and narrow roads was bad enough in some places before Covid, but now it seems to be out of control.
Am I the only person avoiding the area between May - September because of the NC500?
No,you're not. Although travelled most of the route in the past, I've completely avoided the area since the start of the NC500.
TheHeadGardener, coming from the Lake district, you have probably experienced similar things there. When I first started visiting the Lakes - almost 50 years ago, it was so much quieter and you could park without checking your bank balance first.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
I’ve noticed a trend to drive the Pass of the Cattle for the bragging rights, like some Lake District passes. Except this one is single track with passing places, unlike the Lake District (apologies if I’m wrong there). When we did the NC500 several years ago, when it was much quieter, we didn’t go over to Applecross in the MH by choice.
If the local residents chose to opt out of official NC500 marketing, the place will continue to attract the sensible & responsible (majority of visitors) and the stupid & irresponsible (minority) that are sadly at the bottom of this.
It’ll be interesting to see how this goes, but having to dig ditches in such a beautiful area to deter the idiots in MHs is a big pity.
I see someone has come up with the Snowdonia 360.
I just wish they wouldn't. There was all sorts of problems last year with people parking all over the roads so emergency services couldnt get through, litter and rubbish and wild fires. Campsites were rammed.
Quote: Originally posted by Capt Lightning on 15/6/2021
TheHeadGardener, coming from the Lake district, you have probably experienced similar things there. When I first started visiting the Lakes - almost 50 years ago, it was so much quieter and you could park without checking your bank balance first.
Very much so Capt. The Lake District is now very different from the lovely quiet place I came to 30 years ago and I fear it will get worse before it gets better. It is not just the cost of parking, it is finding somewhere safe and sensible to leave your vehicle in the first place!
You may find this recent article about Lake District traffic interesting (albeit depressing) reading.
There’s now a Kintyre 66 or K66. Though most people probably don’t know where Kintyre is, so I think it’ll stay pretty quiet. The website lacks enough information on campsites though.
Snowdonia was too busy for us many years ago, it’s certainly off the list having seen the parking shenanigans last year.
I’ve been a regular visitor to Applecross for about 12 years now and I’m glad I discovered it before NC500 was conceived.
In the past it’s been pointed out to me that you can’t complain about tourists if you’re a tourist yourself but there a huge difference between investing time and money in an area ( using campsite, renting cottages, eating and drinking in the pub and bistro and buying from local businesses) and using it as a ‘tick box’ exercise.
Applecross was always a busy destination for tourists but has been completely overwhelmed since NC500 was conceived and the covid situation has exacerbated this further.
Last week I followed a 6 berth, hired motorhome down the Bealach on the Kishorn side. It did no more than 15 miles an hour and the driver clearly had no idea of the length and breadth of the vehicle and didn’t pull over to let the long following queue pass til almost at the bottom.
The driver must have been petrified but by now the box has been ticked and it’ll be an amusing holiday anecdote.
------------- Zymocenosilicaphobia-excessive fear of an empty beer glass
' When I die, I will return to seek the moments I did not live by the sea'
There are some beautiful pictures on there, but... that motorhome? Ye Gods! It makes me wonder what some people have instead of brains... if I was driving something that big (which I wouldn't) I'd be researching my route VERY carefully in advance.
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
My cousin lives in Lochcarron (the "start" of the NC500), and when we were there last October there were a procession of hyper-cars screaming through the village (easily doing 80+ on the approach) which is now becoming commonplace.
Apparently the target is to "do" the 500 in less than 8 hours which just proves money doesn`t buy commonsense. (and the sub 8-hours has allegedly been done on several occasions)
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