LOCALS who live in a village voted the most beautiful in the UK have said it is being ruined by swarms of holidaymakers from cruise ships and disrespectful motorhome owners.
Ullapool, in the Wester Ross in the Scottish Highlands, is situated in one of the most unspoilt areas of the UK, with stunning scenery everywhere you turn, particularly around Loch Broom.
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So it’s no surprise that a group of UK travel photographers dubbed it the prettiest small settlement up and down the country.
It’s also been praised for being the perfect place for walkers and cyclists while also having a growing cultural scene.
Visitors can explore the nearby Corrieshalloch Falls, scramble up Stac Pollaidh mountain or hop on a ferry to the Outer Hebrides.
Due to the village being along the North Coast 500 route, it attracts hundreds of visitors every year.
But locals have said that the arrival of 50 cruise ships a year and the increasing popularity of the iconic road trip has seen it quickly become overrun with tourists.
And it’s caused problems with housing in the area – especially for young people, according to The Mirror.
Ullapool may be beyond the point of help. Seasonal jobs and holiday homes as a result of tourism and Covid are killing us. Ullapool is facing a massive crisis
Local Arran Louise
With more people buying properties to turn them into short-term lets, AirBnBs and holiday homes, it’s causing a lack of affordable houses for locals.
Latest figures from Rightmove show that last year average houses sold for £312,417 – which is £110,942 more expensive than the average price in 2014 which was £201,475.
Steve Chishom, who competed for the Alba Party in the constituency containing Ullapool in the recent General Election, said he has received a lot of complaints about the issue.
He said: “The lack of affordable housing was brought up by a lot of people on the doorstep, especially for young people.
“The number of properties which are being used for short-term lets and second homes is making that difficult.”
Steve added that the added visitors are also putting a strain on the village’s facilities – including toilets and shops with additional traffic on the roads.
Residents in the Scottish Highlands have been left unimpressed with tourists’ behaviour along the NC500 route in recent months.
Many have complained to the local authority after noticing that car parks are being overrun with campervans and caravans.
I would argue we live in the most stunning parts of Scotland and one of the last great wildernesses. Tourism is bringing people here, helping employment. You’ve got to take the positives
Robert Hicks
And others have hit out at “disrespectful” motorhome owners who have been caught parking their vehicles in graveyards, in front of people’s homes, blocking them in, and pulling up overnight in shop car parks.
One online critic has said that the combination of problems has caused Ullapool to have a rather bleak future.
Arran Louise wrote in a recent post: “Ullapool may be beyond the point of help.
“Seasonal jobs and holiday homes as a result of tourism and Covid are killing us. Ullapool is facing a massive crisis.
“There are not enough affordable houses, there are TOO MANY holiday homes, there is no childcare (none at all) and too big a focus on tourism. I don’t know how much longer we can go on like this?”
However, others have argued that the additional cruise ships bringing people to the village have turned into “the beating heart of the West Coast.”
Robert Hicks, who runs the Dupping Lugger and Highland Liquor Co in Ullapool, told The Mirror there is a “buzz around the place” when ships arrive.
He added: “I would argue we live in the most stunning parts of Scotland and one of the last great wildernesses.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
“For too long it was ignored. The cruise ships and NC500 shine a light on the amazing area that we live in.
“Tourism is the mainstay of the Highlands. It’s bringing people here, helping employment. You’ve got to take the positives.”
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DESPITE its challenges, the NC500 is still one of the most popular road trips in the world.
Earlier this year, the scenic route was voted the number one most searched for road trip in the UK and an astonishing fifth in the world-wide table.
With its impressive 516-mile stretch of magnificent coastal views, it’s not surprising it’s such a popular route for travellers looking to explore. From castles to distilleries there is something for everyone to enjoy.
It was also ranked as the most romantic drive in Britain after an influx of visitors took to the roads for ‘staycations’ in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
An English couple told how they loved the NC500 so much that they got it tattooed on their bodies forever.
While a couple who travelled the route in an Audi convertible told how it was “one of the best holidays” they’ve ever had.