The popularity of the North Coast 500 trail has sparked a fierce backlash among local residents (Image: Getty) Furious locals have warned that a wave of anti-tourism protests is inevitable in the Scottish Highlands if they continue to be ignored, as overtourism piles pressure on communities. Residents blamed the North Coast 500 trail in 2015 for an "explosion" in visitors which has pushed towns to "breaking point". Thousands flock to Scotland’s famous North Coast 500 tourist route every year.
The stunning 500-mile circuit of the north coast of Scotland was recently named the favourite scenic driving route in the UK. The route snakes through Inverness-shire, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Caithness and takes in mountain scenery, waterfalls, castles and stunning beaches. However, the lure of the North Coast 500 trail has sparked a fierce backlash among residents, who complain that they are "being invaded".
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READ MORE UK's 'most beautiful' seaside town that's also on Britain's 'prettiest' road The growing tension between the local community and tourists could now soon spill over into protests. Robin Pettigrew told LBC that there are a growing number of "irresponsible" tourists speeding, trying to camp in parks, and parking overnight outside homes. The campaigner said that people were urinating, defecating, and littering on the landscape.
He said that local residents were fed-up, adding: "I'm seeing a lot of discussion on social media about taking direct action. "There is a lot of talk now about direct action and protests. The same problems that are happening in the Canaries and the Balearic islands are happening here with overtourism, houses being snapped up, no jobs for the locals, Air BnBs buying everything up.
" The route was named the favourite scenic driving route in the UK (Image: Getty) Don't miss...
Tourists face lifetime 'ban' from Venice after performing 'shameful' act [LATEST] Massive explosions rock Crimea as Ukraine continues attack in Russia [LIVE BLOG] Harry and Meghan mystery as camera crew in Colombia suggests new TV project [EXCLUSIVE] Trending Mr Pettigrew said that there had even been a few incidents of tourists and locals "attacking each other". Another angry local, Eddie in Ormiscaig, told the news outlet that the road was promoted "as some sort of Disneyland and as if the road appeared from nowhere". He complained that traffic jams were wreaking havoc on the local community.
Margaret in Kinlochbervie added people had stopped going to the local cemeteries and beaches due to the amount of irresponsible tourists and rubbish in the area. She said: "Lots and lots of people have written to the Scottish Government saying 'please do something, we are being invaded, it’s awful'." Residents have called for new rules that would force tourists to stay in designated sites.
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Read our Privacy Policy Campaigners compared the crisis to recent over-tourism protests in Spain (Image: Getty) In an interview with The Scotsman last week, David Richardson, development and engagement manager of the NC500, acknowledged that communities on the NC500 were “desperate” for controls on motorhome use and that “tempers were flaring”. This comes after new figures from VisitScotland show 26 percent of all visitors to the Highlands were now either camping or in campervans. First Minister John Swinney said: "I think it's important that we all recognise the need for different industries such as tourism to be compatible with the lives of local communities and many communities respond to that challenge with the enhancement of infrastructure.
Obviously the Government has worked constructively with the Highland Council to try to put in place resources to enhance the public infrastructure that will support visitors coming to the NC500. I would certainly encourage the Highland Council to work closely and collaboratively with local communities to address and resolve any practical issues that arise." Highland council officials said North Coast 500 Limited are entirely responsible for marketing the NC500.
Express.co.uk have reached out to North Coast 500 for comment.
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