Boost for local tourism firms
Noah’s Ark Caravan Park managers Jim and Carol Miller with assistant warden Clark Page It might be 100 miles away from the North Coast 500 but a Perth caravan site is enjoying huge spin-off benefits from Scotland’s latest tourist magnet.
The scenic road route is proving a runaway success after being badged two years ago, with a Highland and Islands Enterprise survey this week revealing it had pumped an extra £9million into the economy.
The NC500 loop from Inverness, taking in the spectacular Bealach-na-Ba ascent near Applecross and mountainous Assynt and Wester Ross, lured around 30,000 additional visitors in its first year.
But the project - Scotland’s Route 66 is also getting the thumbs-up from Noah’s Ark Caravan Park on Perth’s Western Edge.
Manager Jim Miller said:“Being situated between Edinburgh and Inverness means we are attracting caravanners in their droves as they break their journey north and south.
“There are huge numbers of French stopping-off and we had 22 Dutch coming in out of the blue one day this week. We are also seeing German and English tourists wanting to complete all, or at least the more accessible, parts of the NC500.
“It has taken us by surprise but it is a real bonus for ourselves and local businesses.”
A major continental marketing drive allied to the fall in value of the pound against the Euro has fuelled demand for overnight halts.
Owner Graeme Sinclair opened the 40-space Noah’s Ark site eight years ago, with‘glamping pods’and camping providing other options.
Big County adventurer Mark Beaumont has promoted the NC500 as a cycling challenge but Graeme noted: “We are more likely to attract bikers stopping over en route to the Highlands
“Perth is a bit too far away for cyclists taking on the challenge under the own steam!”