Imagine this: You’re living in a quiet Scottish village, enjoying the breathtaking views of the NC500 scenic route, and then—bam!—motorhomes start clogging roads, littering beaches, and causing chaos. Sounds frustrating, right? Well, that’s the reality for many locals along Scotland’s famous North Coast 500 (NC500) route right now.
What’s the Issue?
The NC500, often dubbed “Scotland’s Route 66”, has become wildly popular with motorhome tourists, but not all of them are behaving like responsible visitors. As of March 2025, local residents are reporting:
❌ Traffic nightmares – Overcrowded roads, reckless driving, and difficulty accessing emergency services.
❌ Waste dumping – Tourists leaving human waste on beaches and near homes. 🤢
❌ Overnight camping chaos – Some visitors park their motorhomes in unauthorized spots, disrupting local life.
For many Scottish locals, this surge in unruly tourism is ruining the very experience that makes the NC500 special.
Tourism Boom vs. Local Backlash
While the NC500 has brought massive economic benefits to the Highlands, the downsides are becoming impossible to ignore.
Similar issues have popped up in other popular destinations:
🚗 Iceland’s Ring Road faced backlash from locals after an explosion in campervan tourism led to waste problems and overcrowding.
🚐 Spain’s Costa del Sol saw motorhome tourists park illegally for weeks, sparking protests from residents.
🏕️ New Zealand cracked down on “freedom camping” due to similar problems with wild camping and waste disposal.
Possible Solutions?
To tackle the growing issue, local authorities are now considering:
💰 A tourist tax – Extra fees for motorhome visitors to fund road maintenance and clean-up efforts.
🚧 Designated parking areas – More official sites for campervans to prevent illegal overnight stays.
🚻 Better waste disposal facilities – Encouraging responsible travel behavior through education and fines.
Final Thoughts
The NC500 remains one of the most breathtaking road trips in the world, but for it to stay that way, responsible tourism is key. If you’re planning a trip, make sure to respect the locals, follow parking laws, and leave no trace—because nobody wants a dream road trip to turn into a local’s worst nightmare.