The NC500 (North Coast 500 route) has been hailed a great success for tourism in the north Highlands. Gairloch Canoe and Kayak Centre (now Highland Experiences) has undoubtedly gained from the routes success and its ability to draw visitors from across the globe. Find out more about the success of the NC500….

From a starting point of zero the centre has run hundreds of kayaking trips in 2019. Success has been so good that in 2020 the Centre will employ a full-time manager (Fraser Connal) to co-ordinate and lead activities around Shieldaig Lodge Hotel where the Centre is based.

This is on top of the Centre’s success at becoming the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards Outdoor Experience Winner for 2019.

Other evidence is coming in that the route has made a real difference to the Highlands. the official North Coast 500 evaluation report found that the NC500 route generated more than £22.89 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) throughout 2018, created 180 full time equivalent jobs in the North Highlands within the same time period, and boosted visitor numbers to paid attractions by 41.7%. This was published in October 2019 by Professor John Lennon, Head of the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism at Glasgow Caledonian University.

The report also found that dwell time had increased from an average of two nights to six nights – findings which Professor Lennon described as a significant factor in counteracting the depopulation of the North Highlands.

The NC500 was devised by the North Highlands Initiative and has become one of the most iconic destinations in Scotland. The North Coast 500 offers a truly unique touring experience, quite unlike anywhere else in the world and many of those who have done it have said it was life-changing for them. Bringing together a route of just over 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, the route begins and ends in Inverness at Inverness Castle which, perched on top of a hill, is the perfect starting point to the route and offers unparalleled views from its viewing tower over the capital city of the Highlands. The NC500 was launched only 3 years ago, yet in that time, it has reached a global audience of over 2.3 billion and ranked by so many independent sources as the best road trip on the planet.

Click here to view our website and see the other paddling trips that we offer; book now for your own amazing adventure!