Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider SAT 12TH JUL 2025    6:00:48 AM BST
This site uses cookies, by continuing to use this site you accept the terms of our privacy policy
Back To Top
Caithness.Org Quick Links
Home
Construction
Leisure
Manufacturing
Misc.
Primary
Professional
Public
Retail
Tourism
Transport
Site Map
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Feed 2.0 Loading...

Study Shows North Coast 500 Route Added £9million Extra Spending

19th June 2017

Photograph of Study Shows North Coast 500 Route Added £9million Extra Spending

The North Coast 500 (NC500) tourist route, launched in 2015, has had a positive impact on both visitor numbers and business trade.

This is according to a new report commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Referred to as Scotland's answer to Route 66, the 516-mile NC500 was created by the North Highland Initiative (NHI). Its aim was to boost tourism in the north Highlands and generate economic opportunities for the area.

The study, carried out by the University of Glasgow Training and Employment Research Unit, estimates the route has attracted 29,000 additional visitors and £9 million additional spend in its first year.

The research drew upon various data, including figures from tourism information centres along the NC500 which showed an average 26% increase in visitor numbers since the route opened.

This compares with a 6% average increase across Highland.

Traffic data also reveals that volumes along the route were up by some 10%.

The study included interviews with accommodation providers and visitor attractions along the route, which identified an average 15% - 20% increase in trade.

Other factors would have contributed to this growth, including the fact that it was a generally strong year for tourism in Scotland and the Highlands.

However, the findings from the study, coupled with the results from a previous survey of businesses on the route by NHI, indicate that the NC500 has been a major driver of recent increases.

The report also highlighted challenges to ensure long term success of the NC500. These include maintaining the condition of the route, ensuring sufficient parking, waste facilities and public toilets, and continued efforts to encourage better driving.

It also highlighted challenges in meeting the increased demand for labour, with earlier reports suggesting the route could create upwards of 200 jobs.

Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:"The Scottish Government is strongly supportive of innovative projects, particularly those driven by industry, to encourage economic growth, and I welcome the very positive impact the North Coast 500 has had on the tourism economy in the Highlands.

"Today's report shows the route is already delivering for the north of Scotland and has tremendous potential to further benefit the communities it serves, encourage more investment in tourism facilities, stimulate jobs and expand the tourism season. I look forward to continuing to work with HIE and other partners to strengthen the growth we’re seeing as a result of the NC500’s introduction."

David Oxley, HIE’s director of business and sector development, said:“This study suggests the NC500 has very quickly had a positive impact in the north Highlands.

“Through working collectively with businesses and communities along the route, North Highland Initiative have created a distinct and exciting tourism product. It’s a product that has helped promote some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery to a global audience, whilst also providing a further boost for the Highlands and Islands’ growing tourism sector.

“With the NC500’s popularity set to be sustained over the coming years, it is crucial that we understand the impact it has on communities and businesses. This report provides a baseline to monitor this impact over time.

“The long term sustainability and success of the NC500, and responding effectively to the challenges identified in the report, will require collaboration between public agencies, businesses and communities. We very much look forward to being part of that process."

HIE has established a partnership including Police Scotland, transport Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, The Highland Council, Visit Scotland and other interests to ensure the route is developed in a sustainable way.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Salmon farm company to convert waste to useable product
A project to recycle waste at an aquaculture hatchery in Wester Ross has secured up to £630,290 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Bakkafrost Scotland limited is leading the project, which has a total investment value of more than £2.5m.  
Renewable energy firm ENERCON welcomed to Wick Business Park
Wick Business Park has welcomed wind energy technology company ENERCON as the first occupant of one of four new units completed last year.   ENERCON specialises in designing, producing, installing and servicing onshore wind turbines and has been operating in the Caithness area since 2013.  
New recruits at HIE Caithness and Sutherland teamThumbnail for article : New recruits at HIE Caithness and Sutherland team
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has appointed new members to its Caithness and Sutherland team as the agency settles into its new premises and works to expand its client portfolio.   Claire Wilson has joined as head of business growth and investment.  
Applications open for the 2025/26 Scottish Rural Leadership Programme
Businesses in the Highlands and Islands are invited to apply to the 2025/26 Scottish Rural Leadership Programme.   The initiative is designed to empower rural business owners and senior leaders across Scotland with the skills, confidence and strategic insight needed to drive innovation and growth in their communities.  
Recruitment under way for next Chair of Highlands and Islands EnterpriseThumbnail for article : Recruitment under way for next Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise
The Scottish Government has begun recruitment to appoint a new Chair for the Board of development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).   Applications are currently being invited through the government's public appointments website with a closing date of 7 July 2025.  
Renewable energy training centre officially opened in InvernessThumbnail for article : Renewable energy training centre officially opened in Inverness
Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, has officially opened Aurora's pioneering Renewable Energy Training Centre in Inverness - the only facility of its kind serving the Highlands.   The £1.2m training centre has already demonstrated its importance to Scotland's net-zero ambitions, training to more than 1,000 people in its first year and gearing up to train more than 2,000 workers annually who will be central to the country's renewable energy future.  
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will invest up to £24 million at Kishorn Port
A multi-million pound investment is being made in one of Scotland's most strategically important ports.   Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will invest up to £24 million at Kishorn Port in the west Highlands to enhance its capacity and capabilities, with an expanded dry dock and land reclamation enabling the manufacture of floating offshore wind foundations.  
Commercial diver training company in Argyll to scope expansionThumbnail for article : Commercial diver training company in Argyll to scope expansion
A commercial diver training company in Argyll is exploring the potential to expand the business to include closed bell diver training.   Dunoon based Professional Diving Academy (PDA) has secured £5,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help cover associated market assessment consultancy costs.  
New green training skills facilities open in Stornoway - Fosgladh Goireasan Trèanaidh Sgilean Uaine ann an SteòrnabhaghThumbnail for article : New green training skills facilities open in Stornoway - Fosgladh Goireasan Trèanaidh Sgilean Uaine ann an Steòrnabhagh
The new, state-of-the-art Technology and Innovation Centre at UHI North, West and Hebrides' Stornoway campus officially opened following a £2.3m investment.   It is the first capital project to be delivered under the Islands Growth Deal, a ten-year package that seeks to drive economic growth and the creation of sustainable jobs across Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides.  
Operator sought for new innovation centreThumbnail for article : Operator sought for new innovation centre
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is looking to contract a specialist operating company to run a new multi-million-pound innovation centre under development in Moray to support manufacturing.   The three-year contract will involve developing and managing the service offering of the new Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM), as well as stakeholder engagement, marketing and promotion of the facility.