Case study 3: “Overtourism” on scotland’s north coast 500? Issues and potential solutions

Abstract

This chapter explores the phenomenon of “overtourism” in relation to the North Coast 500 (NC500) - a popular “road trip” route around Scotland’s Northern Highlands. The chapter’s findings can be summarised as follows. Firstly, there is clear anecdotal evidence of negative impacts along the NC500 route, principally relating to increased traffic on unsuitable roads. Secondly, three available solutions have the potential to at least partly offset these impacts: (limited) government funding, car parking charges, and a Transient Visitor Levy (TVL), Thirdly, however, the terrain through which the NC500 passes places limitations on the potential effectiveness of car parking charges and a TVL as solutions, such that promoting alternative destinations or types of tourism may act as alternatives.