The Bealach na Ba, which leads to Applecross in Scotland, will be closed in the evenings and overnight during September and October 2024 for eight weeks, leading to concerns tourism may be impacted
A section of the most popular road trip route in the country will be shut for eight weeks.
One of the most beautiful but also dangerous parts of the North Coast 500 (NC500) will be shut down. The Bealach na Ba, which leads to Applecross, in Scotland, is set to close in the evenings and overnight during September and October 2024 for eight weeks.
It is on the NC500 – a bucket list driving route around the north coast of Scotland – which is often voted best in UK. The road itself tops polls of the best, most picturesque and most iconic or dangerous roads in the UK, due to its tight and narrow bends and sweeping landscape.
Fish-farm company Bakkafrost will be installing a private wire along the route to supply power for its Kishorn hatchery, leading to a further shutdown for four more weeks around February or March 2025. Locals fear the planned closure has already driven away tourists as it will be shut between 8pm and 7am.
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Megan MacInnes, local councillor in Applecross expressed the concerns of many locals, saying: “Feedback has been given in meetings with the developers and by email on numerous occasions. Specific examples from those whose jobs, income, livelihoods and businesses will be impacted have also been provided.
“This includes people in Applecross who work, for example in Kishorn or Lochcarron, who will not be able to travel to work on time during the closures. This also impacts local businesses in the hospitality sector on the peninsula whose bookings are already being impacted by the rumours of proposed closures.”
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A spokesperson for Bakkafrost stated: “Drivers will be diverted to follow the coast road via Shieldaig. We understand that many have asked for a shorter period of closure each night. We plan to have three teams of workers working 11 hours per night whilst the nights are still relatively light and long, which means we can complete the job before the winter weather conditions.
“Working to this timescale is necessary to ensure the safety of all workers.”
The NC500 stretches 516 miles and takes drivers through some of the most rugged, remote and beautiful landscapes in the Scottish Highlands. Different stops on the NC500 offer different experiences including rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, mountains and lochs. Along the route there are also several castles, historic sites and villages.
The whole length of the route takes around five days to complete and has frequently been listed among the top scenic drives and road trips globally. It was also recognised in the 2019 Awards for Excellence by VisitScotland.
