NORTH Coast 500 locals have been left fuming as hundreds of cars are set to descend on the iconic route for a “super rally” next year.
Up to 140 cars will drive along the 516-mile road in June as part of the event, causing huge concern among residents.
Up to 140 cars will be driving along the route for the event[/caption]
Plans for the rally have left locals in the area concerned[/caption]
On top of that there are plans for other rallies, including a three day event.
Local Highland councillors were contacted on Monday by an Austrian called Roman Eggers from the “Back Road Club”.
The club is planning a huge rally in June stopping at the scenic hamlet of Achmelvich in Assynt.
“We have about 130 – 140 participating cars and about 280 – 300 people per tour,” wrote Mr Eggers.
“I would like to explain our tour programme to you first: In 10 days, we drive about 2,100 miles – 2,800 miles (about 250 – 310 miles each day).
“Every morning or evening (depending on the route) we organise a meeting point for all participants. There our participants receive a short motivational speech (coffee, fruit or other small goodies) and a letter telling them exactly where the next meeting point is.
“All participants and crew left the site as clean as they found it. We attach great importance to this and it works perfectly.
“That is the reason why I am writing to you. We had found a place that was perfect for us.
“As there is also a campsite here and in the small town of Lochinver there are several B&Bs, shops, restaurants and a petrol station, we will also explore the surrounding area.
“Our plan is as follows: We would like to leave our cars from 7am. – 9am. in this car park. If it doesn’t work out, maybe some cars along the road as shown in the picture.
“Many participants will stay overnight at the campsite and will therefore leave their cars there and do not need to go to the car park, but can walk directly to the beach.
“Our participants who park at the car park, would then walk from there to the beach, get their coffee and letter there and drive back to Ayr.
“We would therefore like to ask you very politely if this would be possible from your side?”
One of the Highland councillors contacted, Hugh Morrison, who owns the Smoo Cave Hotel at Durness, said: “This would be by far the largest rally ever held in the area and it is a real concern.
“I will be raising it further with the council, but the advice I have already received from our traffic officer is that he would have no objection and see no need to give specific permission as this would ‘just be an adhoc activity’.
“The could swamp the area and cause all kind of problems. I am very concerned. This is not what the NC500 was meant to be about, but what can we do?
“It is the number of rallies that is becoming a problem. People have to work and live in this area – it seems like some people have just discovered the north of Scotland as a place to have a rally.
“We cannot become a theme park for a merry-go-round of car rallies of long convoys that cause all kinds of problems for locals and other visitors.
“There are others in the pipeline, I’m sure. There has to be a limit, but you can’t stop people using the roads legitimately.”
Meanwhile Rustbox Rallies, which has organised previous rallies on the 516-mile route, are planning to stage its rally, starting from Fort William on March 6, continuing towards Loch Ness, Inverness, John O’Groats, Dunnet Head, Durness and Bealach Na Ba, finishing in Inverness on March 8.
Some residents are even calling for a ban on that rally.
For the NC500 banger rally, participants’ cars must be £750 or less.
The cost of registering a car with two participants is £199.
Drivers can choose to raise money for a charity of their choice.
Taking it to social media, residents argue the roads are not suitable for the event.
Phil Jones said: “Our roads are our lifelines, not a plaything for the boy racers who always find an excuse to act like jackasses.
Elspeth Macpherson wrote: “Rallies like these should be banned.
“Why don’t they do it along the back streets of Glasgow or London or any busy city. Perhaps they could race along a motorway.”
A number of car rallies are set to be held on the route next year[/caption]
Residents argue the roads along the NC500 are not suitable for the event[/caption]
However, some people thought they were good for the area.
One said: “Good bit of fun, as long as they don’t leave a mess.”
Rustobox Rallies said:”This isn’t just about the drive; it’s a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture, explore historic castles, and even taste delicious Scottish cuisine. The NC500 is designed to provide an unforgettable experience as you explore the raw beauty of Scotland.”
It adds “you will be part of a group of banger rally cars all themed with fancy dress”.
North Coast 500 Ltd, the company that markets the route, launched in 2015, recently offered a new visitor pledge, to help increase awareness around responsible driving, parking, waste disposal and use of local shops.
Chairman David Hughes said: “We’ve all seen an increase in visitor numbers over the last few years and it’s important not to downplay the importance these visitors have on the local economy.
“We can’t control important infrastructure which supports the tourism industry, such as signage, rubbish/disposal facilities and parking.
“However, by asking visitors to sign the pledge, we are asking tourists to be part of the solution, helping us maintain the North Highlands’ natural beauty for everyone to enjoy.”
Tensions on the road trip escalated over the years.
In 2018 police investigated a spate of incidents on the NC500 with attempts to puncture vehicles’ tyres. Roofing tacks were found scattered on a road near Bettyhill.
Police have regularly carried out operations each year, catching scores of offenders, including for speeding.
The NC500 has been hailed by various top travel publications, National Geographic and American broadcaster CNN as one of the world’s greatest drives and highlighted on TV shows such as Top Gear.
It is estimated to be worth more than £22m a year to the local economy.
However, residents complain not just of speeding motorists but, conversely, also of slow moving convoys of motor homes and long tailbacks of bikers.
